Cape Town, South Africa
5 essential things to see and do in Cape Town this autumn
Here’s what to see and do in Cape Town during autumn
Autumn in Cape Town is a season of transformation. The summer crowds thin out, the wind calms and there’s a golden glow that softens everything – vineyards, mountains, even the bustle of the city. It’s the kind of season that encourages slowing down, tuning in and rediscovering things with fresh eyes. The city’s landscapes transform with warm hues and the cooler weather provides the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures and cultural explorations. It’s the perfect time to explore beyond the usual tourist paths and immerse yourself in experiences that are both enriching and reflective. So, let’s explore the essential experiences we think are worth stepping into this autumn.
Top photography courtesy of Claire Gunn and Seebamboes
01
Sip and savour at Beau Constantia
Beau Constantia is set high above False Bay, where floor-to-ceiling glass and terraced vineyards create a striking contrast to the stillness of the Constantia valley. The tasting room is slick and minimal, but the mood here is surprisingly laid-back. We recommend arriving early, grabbing a seat on the open patio and letting the view do the heavy lifting while you work through a few vintages. This boutique wine farm is home to Chefs Warehouse, where Chef Patron Ivor Jones and Head Chef Chad Graham present an autumn menu that plays with fire and contrast – coal-charred figs, parmesan marzipan, burnt thyme foam – sweet, sharp, smoky. Dishes are plated for sharing, which adds a relaxed rhythm to an otherwise refined setting. Wine and food speak the same language here – local, layered and made to be savoured slowly.
Beau Constantia
1043 Constantia Main Rd
Constantia
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Beau Constantia
02
Get your hands dirty at Clay Hands
Hidden in a leafy courtyard in Woodstock, Clay Hands is a pottery studio that offers a welcoming space for you to explore the art of ceramics. It’s run by a small team of women ceramicists, each genuinely committed to creating space for people to reconnect with making. Their philosophy is simple – clay is for everyone and creativity needs time, mess and a bit of community. Book one of their Saturday workshops – short, messy, deeply satisfying and geared toward beginners. You walk away with your own handmade piece (a wobbly mug or asymmetric bowl, probably), but more than that, it’s a mental reset. The studio provides everything – tools, clay, glazes in every shade, even tea and coffee – you just have to show up and get creative.
Clay Hands
196 Victoria Rd
Woodstock
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Clay Hands
03
Explore one of the greatest botanical gardens in the world
Even if you’ve been to Kirstenbosch before, autumn gives it a whole new energy. The garden starts to settle into softer tones – rusts, yellows and moody greens – and it’s noticeably quieter, in the best way. You can actually hear the birdsong, the wind rustling through the canopy and your own footsteps on the Boomslang (tree snake) walkway. The Boomslang walkway is an elevated bridge that snakes above the treetops, offering one of the most calming views of the mountain you’ll find in the city. Situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, established in 1913, was the first botanical garden in the world dedicated to a country’s indigenous flora. Covering 528 hectares, the garden showcases South Africa’s versatile biodiversity, including species from the unique Cape Floral Kingdom. There’s also an ongoing sculpture trail featuring large-scale outdoor works by local artists like Anton Smit.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Rhodes Dr
Newlands
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
04
Explore the art housed in this warehouse-turned-gallery
Located in Cape Town’s city centre, Smith Studio is a contemporary art gallery that has been a part of the local art scene since 2014. Co-founded by Candace Marshall-Smith and curator Amy Ellenbogen, the gallery is dedicated to showcasing a diverse range of South African artists, both established and emerging. Exhibitions rotate approximately once a month, offering you a dynamic and ever-changing art experience. The gallery’s commitment to promoting local talent makes it a significant platform for artists exploring various mediums and themes. By focusing on contemporary art, Smith Studio provides insight into the current artistic dialogues within South Africa. The space itself is designed to complement the artworks, creating an environment that encourages thoughtful engagement.
Smith Studio Fine Art Gallery
56 Church Street
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Smith Studio Fine Art Gallery
05
Blend your own wine and learn the art of sabrage
It’s not just what’s in the glass at Klein Roosboom – it’s everything happening around it. This family-run boutique winery keeps things personal and playful. Their headline experience is the wine blending session. It’s a chance to play winemaker, combining small batches under guidance, corking your creation and signing a custom label. Whether it’s a gift or a keepsake, it’s interactive in the best way. Then there’s the sabrage experience, where you learn the old French art of slicing open a bottle of bubbly with a sabre. Dramatic? Definitely. But also deeply satisfying. And very Instagrammable. The tasting caves are uniquely atmospheric, carved into old fermentation tanks – some walls glint with tartaric crystals and others have dark lines tracing former wine levels. If you prefer an outdoor setting for sipping some wine, you can opt for a picnic box, curated for two by the Jéan Restaurant – perfect for sprawling under the vines and taking in the autumn colours and changing landscapes.
Klein Roosboom
Tygerberg Valley Rd
Durbanville
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Klein Roosboom
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