Constantia is a quiet, green neighborhood just outside the center of Cape Town. Here you will find an abundance of wineries, beautiful parks, and cool nature reserves. In this blog, you can read all about Constantia. We tell you about the 8 best things to do in Constantia and share the best tips for visiting Constantia with or without children.
Constantia: Cape Town’s Wine Valley
This is our third time in South Africa, so we know the centre of Cape Town well. The last time we travelled alone with our son, who was 1 year old at the time, we stayed in Hout Bay. That was a very nice location for a young family. Now that we are a family of four, we want to explore another part of the Cape Town area, so we decided to stay in Constantia.
Constantia is the wine region of Cape Town. It is located just south of Cape Town’s centre, at the foot of Table Mountain. It is the oldest wine-growing region in South Africa and in the southern hemisphere. Besides wine, you will find a number of beautiful nature reserves here to explore. We decided to stay in this area for a good week with our two children (ages 1 and 3) to discover everything Constantia has to offer. And we have come to the conclusion that even though Constantia is not in the heart of Cape Town, it is an ideal base. From here, you are just a short distance from a beautiful beach, you can drive to Cape Town city centre in 20 minutes, and you are situated in a green area that feels safe!
In short, we highly recommend Constantia as a base for exploring Cape Town. Especially if you are travelling with a family!
How many days do you need for Constantia?
You can explore Constantia well in about three days. However, if you also want to explore the rest of Cape Town from here, we recommend at least 5 days. Want to see everything at your own pace, or are you visiting Constantia and Cape Town with children? Then you won’t get bored even after a week!
The 8 best things to do in Constantia and the surrounding area!
1. Visit wineries in Cape Town’s premier wine region: Constantia!
Yes, if there is only one thing you can do in Constantia, it is of course to visit a winery! While Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are located over an hour from the heart of Cape Town, Constantia is only 20 minutes away. Here you will find beautiful wineries that you can visit one by one. Ranging from boutique and small establishments to large wine estates with multiple restaurants, shops, and activities. Please note: this area is not as large and packed with wineries as, for example, Stellenbosch, where you will find 40-50 wineries. There are 10-15 in Constantia.
We found Beau Constantia, located at the very top of the valley, to have the most beautiful view and the tastiest wines. This is a somewhat more exclusive estate, not really suitable if you are travelling with children. Other nice wineries include Constantia Glen and Silvermist Organic Wine Estate.
Curious about our extensive review of the wineries in Constantia? Then read our blog about the best wineries in Constantia!
Tip: Would you rather not drive to the wineries yourself? Then consider taking a wine tour through Constantia. Click here for an overview of the different options.
Fun wineries in Constantia for families:
The nicest, child-friendly wineries in Constantia are Groot Constantia and Buitenverwachting. Groot Constantia has two restaurants, a pond where ducks swim, and offers picnics. At Buitenverwachting, you also have the option to picnic, and you will find various animals. But our favourite winery with children is Cape Point Vineyards. Technically, this winery is no longer located in Constantia, but oh, how nice it is to picnic here and have a view of the sea. Highly recommended!
Looking for more fun wineries where you can picnic? Then read our blog with the best picnics in Stellenbosch! And if you are planning to go to Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, be sure to read our travel guides about these two lovely cities.
2. Go hiking in the beautiful nature reserves in Constantia
There are beautiful parks in this area; below are three hikes in Constantia that we explored:
Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens – 6.5 km, not stroller-friendly
Constantia Nek is one of the most beautiful areas for hiking. It is an area between Table Mountain and Constantia Mountain, and from here you have views of the Constantia Valley, wineries, and the sea in the distance.
We read somewhere that the “Jeep Track” was a stroller-friendly route, so we took the buggy and children along. In the end, it turned out we were walking the Contour Path, not the Jeep Track. The Contour Path is a nice trail to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. However, it is not suitable for strollers. Consequently, we carried it for almost the entire route (fortunately, we had this very lightweight buggy). The Jeep Track also turned out to be a bit too steep for strollers. This area is therefore highly recommended for hiking, but not with a pram.
In the end, we thoroughly enjoy the beautiful view and end up in Kirstenbosch, a botanical garden that is highly recommended in any case! We took an Uber back because those 6.5 km were enough for our 3-year-old son today. Click here for the start of the hikes at Constantia Nek.
Tokai Park – 4 km stroller-friendly
Lower Tokai Park is a nice park just south of Constantia. Here you will find mostly fynbos, a type of low vegetation, with trees along the edges. A flat, stroller-friendly 4 km route runs through the park. Please keep in mind there is little shade, so visit when it is a bit cloudy.
Tokai Park is ideal for families, as you will find small playgrounds and treehouses along the route. Midway along the route, you will find the newly opened Secret Forest Café. A nice coffee shop with tasty cookies. Click here for the start of the Lower Tokai Park walk.
Alphen Trail – 4 km stroller-friendly
This walking route is perfect if you want to take a walk in a safe environment with children. Alphen Park is a long, mostly flat park with a path suitable for strollers. The first part is not very impressive, but as soon as you walk further, you suddenly see the mountains appear, and it is truly enjoyable. There is also an “Upper Alphen Trail”, which is not suitable for buggies. The total route round trip is 4 km. Click here for the start of the Alphen Trail in Constantia.
3. Ceramic painting at Clay Café
Clay Café is a real institution in Cape Town. It is located between Hout Bay and Constantia. This is a place you can let your creativity run wild. You can paint crockery here; it is then fired and ready for collection five weeks later. You will also find a beautiful garden here with a huge bouncy castle, water to play with, swings, and much more. And, of course, there is a restaurant too.
We visited Clay Café in the late afternoon so our children could romp and play to their heart’s content. We didn’t do any ceramic painting, unfortunately, since we won’t be in the area for five weeks to pick it up. We did buy some nice little bowls here as a souvenir of our time in South Africa.
4. Enjoy delicious food at Constantia’s best restaurants
There are plenty of nice restaurants in Constantia. You can find great dining hotspots at the wineries themselves, but you can also enjoy tasty food at other places.
Restaurants in Constantia where children are welcome:
Visiting Constantia with children? Then the following places are ideal.
Wildsprout is located at Constantia’s large shopping centre. It is a nice little restaurant with plenty of healthy options. The oatmeal pancakes with fresh fruit for children are definitely recommended! Tashas is also located in the large shopping center. It is a spacious and bright restaurant with an adjacent waffle shop. You can find several Tashas in South Africa, but we’ve found this one to be the nicest so far. You will find delicious breakfast and brunch dishes here. The service is good too!
Coffee BloC at Buitenverwachting winery: this nice little coffee shop also serves a good breakfast and a tasty lunch. Additionally, you can order a picnic basket here for a picnic on the lawn (do bring your own blankets).
Old Town Italy is an Italian restaurant where you can eat tasty pizzas and pastas. Nothing fancy, but perfect for a quick bite with children. The same goes for Massimo’s, located between Hout Bay and Constantia, a nice Italian restaurant with a great playground. But by far the very best Italian food we ate was at Limoncello in Noordhoek! Close to the beach, fresh tuna, and mega-delicious pizzas. A real must! Both Massimo’s and Limoncello have a playground.
Restaurants at wineries in Constantia
Simon’s Restaurant at the Groot Constantia wine estate is recommended if you are very hungry. It is located on the Groot Constantia wine estate. Good service and beautifully situated among the mountains. Jonkershuis is here as well, but we found the food a bit less impressive.
You visit Blockhouse Kitchen at the Constantia Uitsig wine estate mainly for the playground. The food is tasty but not exceptional. It is primarily the location, with its playground and nearby winery, that makes this a nice spot. You can also grab a bite to eat at one of the other restaurants on the estate, such as Garden and Grains, Ember and Oak, or Sushibox. You won’t find a playground here, but there is a lawn where the little ones can romp around.
Adults-only restaurants in Constantia:
Travelling without children, or have you managed to arrange a babysitter? Then definitely go for an extensive dinner at La Colombe Constantia, Chef’s Warehouse at Beau Constantia, or Beyond restaurant at Buitenverwachting. These are fantastic fine-dining restaurants where you can enjoy a Michelin-star-worthy meal. Please note: booking in advance is essential!
5. Explore the rest of Cape Town from Constantia
From Constantia, you can reach the centre of Cape Town in no time. And Cape Town is full of fun places to explore, such as Lion’s Head, Bo-Kaap, and Table Mountain. Cape of Good Hope National Park and Chapman’s Peak Drive are also located in the vicinity of Cape Town. We wrote a blog featuring the 14 highlights of Cape Town, which is worth checking out.
Extra tip: take a helicopter flight over Cape Town.
Flying over Cape Town is a real bucket list item. Unfortunately, on the days we planned to do this, there was a lot of wind and low clouds, so we reluctantly decided against this amazing activity. Click here for more information about the 12-minute helicopter flight we had planned to take. And here is an overview of all helicopter flights over Cape Town. Children are also welcome, for half the price.
6. With children in Constantia: Acrobranch Constantia or Bike Park Uitsig
Are you travelling to Constantia with slightly older children? Then they can really let loose at Acrobranch Constantia and Bike Park Uitsig!
Acrobranch Constantia: from 3 years old
Acrobranch Constantia is a cool adventure park with obstacle courses and a zip line. For children aged 3 to 6, there is a fun obstacle course, perfect for the little ones. From age seven, there are beginner and medium zip lines, and for children aged 9 and up, there are the most difficult climbing tracks. Click here for the location of this child-friendly spot in Constantia.
Bike Park Constantia Uitsig: from 3 years old
The Bike Park at Constantia Uitsig is a cool mountain bike track at the winery. Here you will find various areas to practice jumping, bumps, and descents on your mountain bike. Children aged 3 and up are welcome on the balance bike course. Click here for this child-friendly location in Constantia.
7. Enjoy the beach near Constantia
Constantia itself is not located by the sea, but when you are in Cape Town, the beach is never far away. To get a breath of fresh air or even take a dip in the ice-cold water, the best places to reach from Constantia are:
Hout Bay – 20-minute drive from Constantia
Hout Bay is a nice suburb of Constantia with a large beach. It is about a 20-minute drive from Constantia and is a safe, child-friendly area. There is a café on the beach where you can sit comfortably, and there is also a nice beach bar with a playground called Dunes. Reservations are recommended for the latter.
Hout Bay is a nice neighbourhood to visit in any case. Read more in our Hout Bay travel guide.
Muizenberg – 20-minute drive from Constantia
Muizenberg beach is famous for its colorful beach huts. It is also a good place to surf, although the water is ice cold. Muizenberg Beach is about a 20-minute drive from Constantia.
Llandudno Beach – 25-minute drive from Constantia
Llandudno is a small residential area built against the hillside. It is situated between Hout Bay and Camps Bay, about a 25-minute drive from Constantia. Here you will find a beautiful and, above all, quiet beach on a not-too-large bay. With clean white sand and blue water. There is no restaurant here, so bring your own snacks.
Noordhoek Beach – 25-minute drive from Constantia
Noordhoek is a rugged but beautiful beach. The sea is ice-blue with high waves (so not suitable for swimming with children), and beautiful white rocks rise out of the water. We saw seals here several times, and it is also a long beach where you can take beautiful walks. It is a 25-minute drive from Constantia. Tip: you are right near Limoncello here, our favorite Italian restaurant in Cape Town!
8. Stroll through Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Just a short 10-minute drive from Constantia, you will find the most beautiful gardens in Cape Town: the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden! With colourful flowers, large trees, and hundreds of different plants, you can stroll around here in peace and quiet. You can see Table Mountain rising above the greenery in various spots, making it even more beautiful. It is also perfectly suitable for a visit with children, who can really let loose here.
Tip: There are regular concerts on weekends. Check here for the current program.
Nice hotels or apartments in Constantia
Below are three good accommodations in Constantia. The first apartment is ideal if you are visiting Constantia as a couple. The other two apartments are ideal for families. You can find other hotels in Constantia here.
The Olive Cottage €
The Olive Cottage is a lovely 60 m² apartment with a fireplace, kitchen, and seating area. It is located close to the centre of Constantia and has a small garden. You can stay here for just €99 per night.
Constantia View €€
The Constantia View apartments offer amazing mountain views. You are located close to Grand Constantia, and there is a nice pool to cool off in. You can stay here for just €174 per night.
Dalton House €€€
We stayed with our two children in the Ivy Wing of Dalton House. There is a lovely, spacious garden with a swimming pool, two large bedrooms, and a living room. From €225 per night.
Read our South Africa hotel guide here, with a selection of the best hotels in South Africa!
Click here for more of our blogs on South Africa
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