Cape Town is no doubt one of South Africa’s most beautiful cities. Located on the Southwest coast of the country, the port city is a beauty to behold. The city is right beneath the famous Table Mountain and equally close to Robben Island where the late freedom fighter Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. With numerous natural attractions, five-star hotels, resorts, reserves, and parks, Cape Town is an ideal place to relax and enjoy a picnic.
Features That Make For a Perfect Picnic Spot
Picnics are fun times. It is for this reason that a lot has to be taken into consideration when choosing a picnic spot. While on a picnic, you want to be able to relax, unwind and also enjoy a meal even if it’s just simple snacks. Since picnics are outdoor events, here are some features that make for a great picnic spot.
- Serene Environment: you cannot relax in a chaotic environment and as such, an ideal picnic spot should be serene and quiet.
- Scenic Surroundings: besides being quiet/serene, a picnic spot should also have scenic features that can create fun activities or sightseeing.
- Cookout Space: Not everyone wants a pre-packed picnic basket so it is important that an ideal picnic spot should have space for a cookout, especially for barbecues and grills. Other important features of an ideal picnic spot include:
- Availability of toilet/washrooms
- Safe water
- Recreational facilities
- Parking space
Some Of The Best Picnic Spots In Cape Town
These Cape Town picnic spots have been selected from a pool of breathtaking picnic locations.
1. Table Mountain National Park
- Location: Cape Town
- Opening Hours: 8 am (first car up) to 9:30 pm (last car down)
- Entrance Fee: Adult R125, Children R60, Seniors R100, Students R50
- Discounts For: Seniors, children, and tickets booked online
- Highlights: Cable car rides, hiking, trail running, mountain biking, caving, etc.
The Table Mountain is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and is situated within a World Heritage Site. Table Mountain is an excellent site for picnics, especially for nature lovers. The site has everything you can dream of for an adventurous and relaxing outdoor experience.
It provides a beautiful aerial view of Cape Town and you can actually hike your way up to the picnic area or take a ride. Table Mountain gives an array of exotic picnic spots to choose from. Some of these are Oudekraal, Newlands, Perdekloof, Tokai and Silvermine.
2. The Rhone Rose Garden: Boschendal
- Location: Boschendal Wine Estate, Pniel Road, Franschhoek Valley
- Opening Hours: Thursday – Sunday, 12 pm – 5 pm
- Entrance Fee: Adult R600 (including picnic basket for), Children R125 (with picnic basket)
- Discounts For: Children
- Highlights: Horse-riding, mountain-biking, pony riding, and accommodation.
The Rhone Rose Garden is a spectacular site and equally ideal for a picnic. Its scenic views, including mountains and vineyards, flora, and fauna, create a relaxing atmosphere. It is also situated in a wine-making hub which means you can get a chance at a wine tasting. You can order a Rose Garden picnic basket if you are unable to bring one.
3. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
- Location: Eastern slopes of Table Mountain
- Opening Hours: 9 am to 6 pm
- Entrance Fee: R60 per adult and R25 per child
- Discounts For: Seniors and students
- Highlights: Open-air concerts in summer, picnic baskets available at Moyo restaurant
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is remarkable for its serenity. It is endowed with magnificent flora and fauna. The scent of citrus blossoms will help you to unwind from all that troubles you. You can explore the gardens and enjoy their picturesque view. You can order a picnic basket if you did not bring one with you. A picnic basket costs about R250 while a blanket can be rented for R30.
4. Grande Provence
- Location: Franschhoek
- Opening Hours: 11:30 am to 4 pm (Monday-Sunday)
- Entrance Fee: Adults R600 (including a picnic basket for 2), Children R150
- Discounts For: Children
- Highlights: Sightseeing
Grande Provence is magnificent for a picnic getaway. It gives you the opportunity to experience French and Dutch architecture and lifestyle in Cape Town. The facility was founded by French Huguenots about 326 years ago when they fled persecution in Europe. Picnic baskets are also available on-demand but you must place an order 24 hours before your picnic time.
5. Durbanville Hills Cellar
- Location: Tygerberg Valley Road, Cape Farms, Cape Town
- Opening Hours: Open on schedule
- Entrance Fee: Adult R310 (with a picnic basket for two), Children R75
- Discounts For: Children
- Highlights: Wine tasting
This picnic spot is at peace with nature and its perfectly manicured lawns will help you relax. It also offers good quality wines to quench your thirst. Picnic baskets are available and come in hand-woven baskets with a complimentary bottle of Durbanville Hills Merlot Rose.
6. Buffels Bay and Bordjiesdrif at Cape Point
- Location: Cape Point Reserve
- Opening Hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm daily
- Entrance Fee: Adult R65, Children R35
- Discounts For: Children
- Highlights: Sightseeing, fun beach activities
Buffels Bay and Bordjiesdrif at Cape Point is an amazing blend of flora and fauna with high sea cliffs, alluring beaches, and tidal pools. It is also home to rare animal species such as the Chacma baboons and Cape Mountain zebras.
7. The Cellars-Hohenort
- Location: 93 Brommersvlei Road, Constantia Heights, Cape Town
- Opening Hours: 11 am to 5 pm daily
- Entrance Fee: R520 with a picnic basket
- Discounts For: N/A
- Highlights: Sightseeing
The Cellars-Hohenort is a five-star facility with ancient camphor providing shade for you to while away on hot summer afternoons. You can also have your favorite wine as you enjoy this beautiful spot. There are picnic baskets available if you decide not to bring yours. However, do remember to book in advance.
8. The Manor at Nederburg
- Location: Nederburg Wine Estate, Sonstraal Road, Dal Josafat, Paarl
- Opening Hours: 9 am to 4 pm (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
- Entrance Fee: N/A
- Discounts For: Adult R460 (basket for 2), Kids R100 (with basket)
- Highlights: Wines, Sightseeing
Another serene picnic spot in Cape Town is The Manor at Nederburg. This spot allows you to have a spectacular view of the Drakenstein mountains, as well as the farm’s vineyards and gardens. There are ample giant oaks to provide shade from the fierce summer sun.
9. Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel
- Location: 76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town
- Opening Hours: 12 pm to 6 pm (Friday to Sunday)
- Entrance Fee: R395 for garden picnic per person and R595 for poolside picnic per person
- Discounts For: N/A
- Highlights: Mount Nelson’s Heated Pool
Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel is a home away from home. It is located in a tranquil environment that is conducive for friends or family get-togethers. The five-star hotel is renowned for brewing delicious tea and offers picnic lovers an opportunity to choose a poolside or garden picnic spot. There are picnic baskets available so you do not need to worry about meal preparations.
10. Zorgvliet Wines
- Location: Zorgvliet Wines, Helshoogte Pass, Banhoek Valley, Stellenbosch
- Opening Hours: 11am – 5pm (Wednesday – Sunday)
- Entrance Fee: Adult R605 with a picnic basket, kids R135 with a picnic basket
- Discounts For: Kids
- Highlights: Jungle gym and recreational activities for kids
The last on our list of top picnic spots in Cape Town is Zorgvliet Wines. Zorgvliet Wines is an ideal site for family picnics as it caters to all age groups. It is located within vineyards surrounded by mountains. There is a jungle gym to work out in if you feel fagged out. It also has sandpits and splash pools for children.
There is no end to the list of exotic picnic spots in Cape Town. You only need to settle down and select a spot that fits both your lifestyle and budget.
