Whether you’re planning a visit or relocating, if you’re not familiar with the Cape Town Southern Suburbs, here’s what the area has to offer…
Top 10 things to do in the Southern Suburbs
1. The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanical gardens of the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of this setting against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain.
2. Rhodes Memorial is situated on the Northern slope of Table Mountain, and this vantage point not only allows a panoramic view but is one of the few vantage points where both the Atlantic and Indian oceans can be seen.
3. Take a garden tour of the Cellars Hohenort, which is nestled in the verdant winelands of Constantia, Cape Town. The gardens are nothing less than breathtaking. Colours erupt as Clivias and roses bloom, and countless shades of green blanket the landscape thanks to ferns, delicious monsters, herbs and camphor trees.
4. The Liesbeek River Project is a community project that has transformed an overgrown wasteland into an area where people can now go to read a book, meet up with friends for tea or entertain the children with a spontaneous picnic lunch.
Situated on the banks of the Liesbeek, the river is deep enough for children and dogs to have a paddle.
5. As both a stage venue and producer, the Baxter Theatre has received national awards for outstanding local performers and home productions.
Classical music, opera, comedy, dance and dramatic theatre is presented throughout the year on a daily basis, in the mornings, afternoons and evenings for all ages and tastes. Seasonal festivals run annually.
6. Gordon and Anne Kling own and produce Kling wines on Constantia Nek Farm. Constantia is the oldest winemaking region in the Southern Hemisphere and originated in 1685. Some of the finest wines are produced in this region and regularly received international and local acclaim.
7. The Purple Wine Tour is a free extension of the Cape Town Blue Mini Peninsula City Sightseeing bus (more commonly known as the hop-on-hop-off bus). It explores a few of the wine estates in the Constantia Valley, which form part of the Constantia Valley wine route.
8. The Newlands Brewery is nestled at the foot of Devil's Peak and is neighbour to the historic rugby and cricket grounds. It is the oldest operating brewery in South Africa and the home of great South African beer.
9. Groote Schuur’s big barn used to be the home of Cecil John Rhodes. The house sits in Rondebosch and was refurbished by Herbert Baker many years ago. This property is steeped in history, filled with original colonial furniture and is now a museum.
10. Up on what passes for a hill, just across the Liesbeeck River from the Southern Suburb of Observatory, is the South African Astronomical Observatory.
It lies wedged between the River Club and Valkenburg - its grounds home to a number of domes, one of which houses the Victoria telescope, built back in 1897.
A list of ultimate favourite restaurants
Spoilt for choice, whether it’s fine dining, pub food or the best burgers and chips, there is something for every palate and pocket.
1. Harbour House in Constantia offers beautifully presented dishes and an array of seafood.
2. Bistro Sixteen82 in Steenberg Tokai boasts their signature wines and tasty dishes served with a view.
3. The Square at the Vineyard Hotel in Upper Claremont serves delicious meals for anytime of the day.
4. Rock Sushi Thai in Meadowridge serves the best sushi, noodle and Thai curry dishes in the Southern Suburbs.
5. Starlings in Claremont is perfect for brunch and quick catch up with friends.
6. Four & Twenty in Chelsea Village, Upper Wynberg, is a firm favourite for breakfast.
7. Cafeen in Claremont Village is a gem of a coffee shop. It also serves light meals.
8. Hudsons in Upper Claremont is a popular spot with students. It serves great burgers and cocktails.
Places to stay in the Southern Suburbs
Catering for families on holiday or short business trips, the Southern Suburbs offers a large variety of accommodation properties.
The Alphen Hotel and Cellars Hohenort in Constantia, and The Andros Botique Hotel in Upper Claremont are top places to stay.
You can also book yourself and your family into The Vineyard Hotel or Park inn by the Raddison in Newlands.
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