The Southern suburbs of Cape Town are made up of formerly ‘whites-only’ neighbourhoods and are bordered by the east side of Table Mountain, the Cape Flats, and False Bay. This area has most of the suburban attractions of Cape Town, as well as the best shopping and cinemas. In the summer, it’s a good place to escape the city heat and you can visit the Tokai Forest, which offers shelter not only from the summer sun, but also from the gusting southeaster winds.

Bohemian Hub

The oldest of the suburbs is Woodstock, which still has some fine old Victorian buildings and the suburb called Observatory is considered to be the city’s bohemian hub. Because of its proximity to the University of Cape Town, it has a large student population. Its narrow Victorian streets are lined with the residences of young professionals, artists, and hippie-culture hold-outs and there are some great cafes and bars here, along with antiques emporiums. Here, too, is the Groote Schuur Hospital, where the world’s first heart transplant was performed in 1967.

Irma Stern: Pioneer Artist

The Irma Stern Museum on Cecil Road in Rosebank was the home of one of South Africa’s pioneering artists for 38 years until her death in 1966. Stern is remembered for bringing modern European ideas to art in South Africa. She used expressionist distortion in her intensely sensuous paintings, and is considered by South African art historians to be a giant of her generation. Her former home is now one of the best art museums in Cape Town. It is worth visiting not only for its collection of Stern’s work, but also for her own collection of Iberian, African, Oriental and ancient artifacts. The whole house is a reflection of her fascination with the exotic.

Rondebosch: Kipling was Here

South of Rosebank is Rondebosch, home of the University of Cape Town. The university’s 19th century buildings are stately and garlanded in greenery. Of interest to students of literature and history is a small house called Woolsack that is on the campus grounds. Built in 1900, this cottage was, for several years, the winter retreat of renowned British writer Rudyard Kipling. He allegedly wrote his famous poem “If” here. Rondebosch is also the site of an iconic Cape Town landmark, the Rhodes Memorial. This replica of a Doric Greek temple honours South African statesman Cecil John Rhodes. It was designed by Sir Herbert Baker, and was unveiled in 1912. From the Rhodes Monument, visitors have a sweeping view of the southern suburbs of Cape Town. The oak and pine woods around it are home to a few fallow deer and refreshments are available at a pleasant tea garden.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

Five kilometers south of Rondebosch are the Kirstenbosch National Gardens. After the V&A Waterfront and the cable car ride up Table Mountain, this is the most popular tourist attraction in the city. Created by Cecil Rhodes in 1895, it is the oldest and largest botanical garden in South Africa and in 2004 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are over 22,000 indigenous plants, as well as a research unit and a library. The gardens are truly magnificent; in the summer, open air concerts are held every Sunday evening creating a perfect opportunity for a picnic.

Author Bio: Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made Cape Town holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Cape Town