Summer Fun In The City

It's no secret that Cape Town is the place to be this summer and with so many exciting festive season activities we can see why! The wine lands, mountains and pristine beaches are favoured attractions but for visitors who like to link with the locals here are a few of our top activities.

POPULAR CITY MARKETS

Old Biscuit Mill Neighbourgoods Market in Woodstock is the place to be on Saturday morning. Feast on some of the city’s best food, local designers, fashionable boutiques and restaurants in a unique, industrial-style setting. Saturdays 09h00–14h00

Oranjezicht City Farm Market, a weekly farmers' market offers fresh produce from around the province as well as some that’s grown in the city itself. Artisan food stalls and local cuisine will have you coming back again and again. Saturdays 09h00-14h00 and Sundays 09h00-14h00 at the historic Granger Bay site of the V&A Waterfront.

Lourensford Harvest Market on the scenic and historic Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West presents live music by celebrated Cape Town artists and DJs. The signature Friday-night Twilight Market has become the local, after-work hangout. Fridays 17h00-21h00 and Sundays 10h00-15h00

Bay Harbour Market in Hout Bay is an all-weekend, lively affair - you might need two days to take in the 100-plus food, craft and fashion stalls, live music and nine draught beers on tap. Fridays 17h00-21h00: Saturdays 09h30-16h00: Sundays 09h30-16h00

THE BEST BURGERS IN TOWN

Royale Eatery in Long Street, serves burgers that make your soul tingle and your dreams come true. More than 50 gourmet burgers including vegetarian and vegan options. Mondays to Saturdays, 12h00 to 23h30.

Peddlars & Co in the stunning suburb of Constantia is a popular venue that serves a wide variety of delicious burgers, incredibly sticky ribs and they stock over 60 gins – most of which are local! Open every day from 11h00-23h00.

HIKING TRAILS AROUND THE MOUNTAIN

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Braille Trail: easy - 15 minutes.

Boekenhout Trail: easy to moderate - 30 minutes.

Stinkwood Trail: easy – 1 hour

Yellowwood Trail: moderate – 2 hours

Silvertree Trail: moderate (spectacular views) – 3-4 hours.

Smuts Track up Skeleton Gorge: difficult (ropes and ladders) - 6 hours.

Nursery Ravine: difficult (steep climb and steps) – 4 hours

The ever-popular Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts in the renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden has a stellar line-up of first-rate local and international acts for the 2017/2018 season. Gates for concerts open at 16h00. Tickets available at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden from the Tuesday before each concert – or online.

Lion's Head is a fairly easy walk; the last section becomes quite steep and requires the use of chains and the occasional ladder to clamber up certain sections. Picture-perfect views from the top especially at sunset. Full moon hikes are especially popular and come highly recommended - 3 hours

Silvermine - hiking to Elephant's Eye Cave, up to the Constantiaberg Tower and then down to the viewing platform above Hout Bay is one of the most rewarding hikes in the Cape Peninsula. Explore the cave and the diverse fynbos – 4 hours

Franschhoek

Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve celebrates the exquisite countryside of the Western Cape. Here mountains tumble into lush valleys, and fruitful wine farms stretch for miles. Hikes offer abundant birdlife, scenic landscapes and interesting endemic flora.

They include:

Uitkyk Trail: moderate – 4 hours

Perdekraal Trail: moderate – 7 hours

Vista Trail: moderate – 2 hours

Du Toitskop Trail: moderate – 5 hours

Cat's Path Trail: moderate – 4 hours (one way)

The Last Word Intimate Hotels offers five-star accommodation within easy reach of these activities.