It amazes some people that there are many more things to do in Constantia than taste its world-renowned wines.
Just twenty minutes from the hubbub of the Cape Town city centre, this leafy, green, tranquil valley also offers delightful dining experiences, heritage tours, forest adventures, cycling activities, markets and fairs, live music experiences, and much more. Have we missed anything? Let us know!
Constantia Wine Walk: A captivating ramble through the valley’s history
The Constantia Wine Walk has to be one of the most carefully curated things to do in Constantia, describing itself as “a sip-and-stroll storytelling journey through Cape Town’s most iconic vineyards”.
This immersive walking tour visits three iconic wine farms – Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia, and Buitenverwachting – on private trails in the Constantia Valley. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, guests taste 10 wines, enjoy a delicious harvest platter lunch and hear the fascinating untold stories of Constantia. The tour covers the good, the bad and the messy, detailing the comprehensively rich history that has led to the fine wines we get to savour in the present day.
When: Selected days, see here for availability. Tour starts at 8.30am, ends at 1.30pm
Where: Meet at Groot Constantia Red Bus parking area in Constantia
Website: www.constantiawinewalk.co.za
Email: info@constantiawineroute.co.za
Tel: +27 79 728 6457
Beau Constantia: Great wine, stunning food, beautiful view
Beau Constantia – situated at the top of the Constantia Valley – is renowned for having one of the best views in Cape Town. Its lovingly nurtured vines are spoilt with panoramic views of the Stellenbosch and Helderberg Mountain ranges and over False Bay. Guests can take their pick at enjoying an indoor or outdoor wine tasting, or a delightful meal at the award-winning Chefs Warehouse Constantia restaurant situated on the farm.
Booking is highly recommended. Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis therefore there is no guarantee. Due to limited parking capacity and for responsible alcohol use, Beau Constantia strongly recommends making use of a taxi service or Uber when visiting.
The Chefs Warehouse is closed for dinner on Sundays, but open for lunch every day of the week.
When: Mon to Thurs, 11am – 5.30pm | Fri to Sun 11am – 7.30pm
Where: Beau Constantia, 1043 Constantia Main Rd, Constantia, Cape Town
Website: www.beauconstantia.com
Email: cw@beauconstantia.com
Tel: +27 21 794 8632
Groot Constantia Wine Estate: A tasting, tour and cultural history experience all-in-one
Of all things to do in Constantia, Groot Constantia is probably the most famous. The oldest wine-producing estate in South Africa is one of Cape Town’s ‘Big 6’, a group of iconic destinations across the wider city area. It offers various experiences including the Visitors Route, the Jonkershuis and Simon’s restaurants, voice map walking tours, a wine and gift shop, and more.
On the Visitors Route, guests can explore the original Cape Dutch Manor House visit the Cloete Cellar, enjoy the wine and cultural history museums, visit the tasting room for a wine tasting, and observe wine storage and drinking vessels from antiquity to the early 20th century. They also receive free access to three audio walking tours of the vineyards, the historical manor house and the modern-day production cellar.
When: 9am to 5pm daily
Where: Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Groot Constantia Rd, Constantia, Cape Town
Website: www.grootconstantia.co.za
Email: enquiries@grootconstantia.co.za
Tel: + 27 21 7945 128
Drumstruck: A fabulous interactive drum-theatre experience
Drumstruck is a captivating musical experience that brings the vibrant rhythms and beats of Africa to audiences around the world. A unique and interactive show, Drumstruck combines traditional African music, drumming, and storytelling in an exhilarating theatrical production. The show creates a sense of Africa that is undeniably genuine and heartfelt.
Guests enter a space where an extensive and rare collection of indigenous African instruments is displayed and are taken on a journey through the musical heritage of South Africa – from the first drum through to the newest high-tech electronic instruments. Each audience member is provided with their own djembe drum and gets to play and sing along with the show, becoming participants in the collective celebration.
When: Fri to Sun, Mar & April, from 11am – 1pm and/or 5pm to 7pm (the show returns for public booking in Oct & Nov)
Where: Silvermist Wine Estate, Hout Bay Main Rd, Constanstia Nek, Cape Town
Website: www.drumstruck.com
Email: bronwyn@drumcafe.com
Tel: +27 82 809 9126
Earth Fair Food & Craft Market: Family festive fun with fresh food, live music and more
The Earth Fair Market beams good vibes and family festive fun, featuring live music from local artists and a wide selection of amazing breads, cheeses and cuisine to savour. The Earth Fair’s artisanal food vendors serve a wide spectrum of foods from across the world.
Visitors can peruse the Earth Fair’s wide range of farm-fresh produce, pasture-reared meat, poultry and vegetables. Don’t forget to bring the kids along too for some family fun. At the market you can grab some food, do some shopping for the week, explore the craft traders and enjoy live music from local talent.
There are also great outdoor seating areas and grass patches, so if you wish, you can bring your picnic blanket to enjoy the fresh air under the trees or sit in the sun.
When: Wed 4pm to 9pm | Sat 10am to 3pm
Where: cnr St Joans Rd & Timour Hall Rd, Constantia, Cape Town
Website: www.earthfairmarket.co.za
Email: info@earthfairmarket.co.za
Tel: +27 67 108 1530 (whatsapp only)
Acrobranch: Activities in the trees
If you’re keen on adventure, Acrobranch is the perfect way to while away a few fun hours. A selection of four distinct courses offer the chance to get your muscles moving in a majestic canopy of trees sitting up above the Constantia Winelands. All ages are welcome to attempt the available adventure courses, some of which are designed specifically for kids, with regulated safety instructors on hand.
No matter if you are a beginner or a pro, young or old, there is a course for everyone, making this a fun day out for the whole family. There is also a restaurant on the premises to fuel your body after a beautiful adventure in the trees.
When: Sept to Apr, Wed to Sun from 9am – 6pm | May to Aug, Wed to Sun from 9am – 5pm
Where: 1 Hout Bay Main Rd, Constantia Nek
Website: www.acrobranch.co.za
Email: info@acrobranch.co.za
Tel: +27 21 201 1121
SA Forest Adventures: Cape Town Ziplines
SA Forest Adventures offer a thrilling zipline experience in Constantia Nek. This experience begins with a brief safety talk before participants take a guided 4 x 4 drive to the mountain where the zipline begins. There are 12 platforms to zipline between, with the highest being 155 meters tall and the longest being under 500 meters. The Zipline experience offers visitors a tour of the cables starting high in the mountain and slowly descending down the slopes.
The platforms offer visitors the most amazing panoramic views of Cape Town. Guides on the tour are on hand to assist with the extreme journey and ensure that guests have a memorable and safe experience. Various restrictions and health regulations apply, enquire for more info using the contact details below.
When: Mon to Sun, 9am – 4pm
Where: Silvermist Wine Estate, Hout Bay Main Rd, Constanstia Nek, Cape Town
Website: www.saforestadventures.co.za
Email: bookings@saforestadventures.co.za
Tel: +27 21 795 0225
The Bike Park at Constantia: Thrilling fun on unique bike courses
The Bike Park at Constantia Uitsig is the perfect place to improve those bike handling skills and have fun on the track. Visitors can shred through the park, or enjoy a peaceful ride at their leisure. Those without their own bikes are also free to join in on the fun, as various bikes are available to rent.
The venue is suitable for all ages and is also a workshop for all bicycle repairs, including road bikes. Skills Coaching is available on site, as well as a coffee bar for when you might need a breather. Book online or pay on arrival.
When: Mon to Sun, 9am – 5pm
Where: The Bike Park at Constantia Uitsig, Spaanschemat River Rd, Porter Reform Estate, Cape Town
Website: www.bikeparkatuitsig.co.za
Email: bikeparkuitsig@gmail.com
Tel: +27 81 833 4488
Nature Plays: Forest School
Nature Plays is the first forest school in South Africa. Here children play, create, learn and explore outside in the beautiful forests of Constantia. Kids have the opportunity to connect to nature, learn about the natural environment, and the freedom to play out in the open with beautiful fresh air and ample space to be young and wild.
These empowering experiences allow children to develop confidence, creativity, resilience, collaboration and problem-solving skills that will help them on their journey through life. Nature Plays welcomes children from 2 to 10 years old. It has daily sessions during the week whilst the school term is running, and a nature holiday club every school holiday.
When: Open Mon to Thurs, 8am – 5pm | Fri, 8am – 12pm (parents can book sessions for lessons once or twice a week)
Where: Greenbelt Forest, Alphen Dr, Constantia, Cape Town
Website: www.natureplays.com
Email: pamela@natureplays.com
Tel: +27 60 947 5067
Hop on Hop off Bus Tour: Explore the city’s top attractions
The Cape Town Hop on Hop off bus tours give visitors an easy way to go sightseeing through the city and the southern suburbs. All tours include informative audio commentary about all major attractions in 15 different languages and a special channel for kids. A bus ticket allows you to hop on and off at any of their stops, on all their tours.
The sights on the Mini Peninsula tour include wonderful local attractions such as the Kirstenbosch Gardens, Hout Bay, Sea Point, and a favourite being the Constantia Nek Wine Stop, where visitors can stop at Beau Constantia, Groot Constantia, or visit Silvermist for the zipline adventures and the Drumstruck experience.
When: Daily (excluding days scheduled for marathons, races, carnivals, etc.), with departures from 8am – 5.15/5.30pm
Where: The first stop on the tour is the V & A Waterfront mall, but people can hop on and off at various stop points, including the Constantia Nek Wine Stop at Spaanschemat River Rd, Constantia, Cape Town
Website: www.citysightseeing.co.za
Email: info@citysightseeing.co.za
Tel: +27 21 511 6000