Southern Suburbs, Cape Town
The group of suburbs lying south east of the City Bowl and Table Mountain in Cape Town are collectively known as the ‘southern suburbs’.
Observatory (known as Obs), Mowbray, Rosebank, Rondebosch, Pinelands, Claremont, Kenilworth, Newlands, Bishopscourt, and Wynberg are also more established and sought after than their northern counterparts; although property right at the coast on the Atlantic Seaboard is still amongst the most exclusive in Cape Town.
For the most part, the Southern Suburbs lie at the base of Table Mountain National Park, a mountainous backbone that stretches all the way from Signal Hill to Cape Point, creating an impressive backdrop that infuses the southern suburbs with a natural leafiness, in most part due to the frequent blanket of clouds that tend to hang over the mountains, and relative shelter from the wind.
The southern suburbs are predominantly residential, and most of them incredibly pretty with a variety of older-style homes that range from cottage-style semis in Mowbray, Claremont and Wynberg, to more ornate and certainly far larger homes in Constantia, Newlands and Bishopscourt (also see the Constantia Valley). Extensive gardens, pretty shopping areas like Cavendish Street from the Vineyard Road corner in Claremont, and Wynberg village; the cosmopolitan high street of Observatory, and attractions like Kirstenbosch, Mostert’s Mill in Mowbray, the Baxter Theatre in Rosebank and the Irma Stern Museum, make this part of Cape Town rather attractive.
It is also the home of the University of Cape Town, which lies on the mountain above Rosebank, Rondebosh, Mowbray and Obs. As a result these parts are often a good place in which to party when the budget is tight, and there are many student digs and a lively street atmosphere.
Destinations / Town & Suburbs of the Southern Suburbs
Claremont
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Claremont
Another of Cape Town’s suburbs divided by Main Road, Claremont, is virtually synonymous with the trendy Cavendish shopping mall, and quaint semi-detached cottages much sought after as ‘starter’ homes or ... claremont information
Constantia Valley
Where to Stay: Constantia Valley Accommodation
The Constantia Valley is an abundant array of forests, hills, stately historical homes and vineyards and consists of the towns of Bergvliet, Bishopscourt, Constantia, Meadowridge, Plumstead, Tokai and Wynberg ... constantia valley information
Kenilworth
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Kenilworth
Kenilworth lies flanked by the Constantia Winelands and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, between the suburbs of Claremont and Wynberg. A leafy suburb, upper Kenilworth is a well established part of Cape Town ... kenilworth information
Harfield Village
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Harfield
This little Chelsea-esque part of the southern suburbs is so popular and pretty that it is rather sought after. Victorian and Edwardian cottages decorate the tree-lined, numbered avenues, and English sounding streets with ... harfield village information
Mowbray
Where to Stay: Southern Suburbs Accommodation
Mowbray, an alternatively chic neighbourhood, with beautiful examples of Victorian terraced homes on the banks of the Liesbeek River. Trendy restaurants and coffee shops have moved into Durban Road where locals ... mowbray information
Newlands
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Newlands
Synonymous with the world of rugby and cricket, Newlands is known as Cape Town’s ‘green’ suburb - located against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain only 15 minutes’ from the centre of the city. This leafy, upmarket ... newlands information
Observatory, Cape Town
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Observatory, Cape Town
Observatory, fondly known as ‘Obz’, has a distinctly bohemian flavour and those who identify with the young, trendy and artistic buy quaint, semi-detached and larger renditions of Victorian terraced homes here ... observatory, cape town information
Pinelands
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Pinelands
Pinelands, just 10 km from the city centre, was originally an unsuccessful attempt at a pine tree plantation, called Uitvlugt. Rows of pine trees were planted on what was then the desolate Cape Flats. The suburb is ... pinelands information
Rondebosch
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Rondebosch
The leafy suburb of Rondebosch is perhaps most sought after for its incredible views of Table Mountain, but also because of its architectural beauty and easy access to the city. Rondebosch was where the very first permanent title of ... rondebosch information
Rosebank
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Rosebank
Wedged in between Mowbray and Rondebosch, the suburb of Rosebank is similarly home to a number of the University of Cape Town’s students who make use of the many blocks of flats in the Village of Rosebank. Homes here are ... rosebank information
Southern Suburbs
Featured / "Must See" Attractions in the Southern Suburbs
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is world renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora it displays and for the magnificence of its setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous South African plants. The Kirstenbosch estate covers 528 hectares ... more information
Rhodes Memorial
A national landmark, Rhodes Memorial lies within the Table Mountain National Park and the views from up here are stunning, offering panoramic vistas of industrial Cape Town, out over the airport and the Cape Flats, and on a clear day, the Helderberg and Hottentots Holland Mountain range. Built on the ... more information
Cecilia Forest Walk
Cecilia Forest is a beautiful part of Constantia in which to walk. There are a number of routes to choose from, the most popular of which begins at the Cecilia Forest car park where Rhodes and Hohenhort Drives meet. You do need to watch out for the forks along this path as initially you take ... more information
Constantia Wine Route
Rich in heritage & beauty, the Constantia Wine Route comprises of Groot Constantia, Buitenverwachting and Klein Constantia. Constantia was one of the first wine-producing areas of the Western Cape. Groot Constantia is one of the first and finest examples of Cape Dutch architecture. The homestead ... more information
Mostert's Mill
Mosterts Mill is open to the public most Saturdays when volunteer millers operate the mill. If you would like to see the Mill in operation or purchase some flour, the "Millers" would be delighted to see you and show you around this delightful example of "Living Heritage". Tel: 088 129-7168 to see if open.
Cavendish Square
Cavendish Square Shopping Centre is an award-winning shopping mall situated in the heart of Cape Town's Southern Suburbs in the upmarket suburb of Claremont. Cavendish Square encompasses over two hundred of the most elite stores in the country. Visitors to Cavendish Square can look forward to ... more information
The Riverclub Driving Range & Golf Course
The River Club 9-hole Mashie course is a 9-hole, par 27, and is a great way to get some short game practice. With spectacular views of Table Mountain and the Liesbeek River, this course provides an intriguing challenge both for the seasoned golfer as well as the beginner ... more information
Groote Schuur
Groote Schuur began as an agricultural produce storage space in the 1600s. It later became the home of imperialist Cecil Rhodes and later still, the presidential home of South Africa's presidents since 1911. One can visit Groote Schuur by contacting the curator on Tel +27 (0)21 873 6789.
University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is South Africa's oldest university. UCT has more than 60 specialist research units that provide supervision for postgraduate work and is home to more than a quarter of South Africa's A-rated researchers - academics who are considered world leaders in their fields.
East Wynberg Historical Walk
This particular historical walk in Wynberg you will find on a map that you can get from the library in Wynberg, or from the Old Wynberg Village Society who were instrumental in producing it. It is one of a series of maps designed to promote walking Wynberg, whilst drinking in the historical buildings ... more information
Wynberg Main Road Historical Walk
In similar vein to the East Wynberg historical walk, you can pick up a map that explores Main Road Wynberg from the Wynberg Library, or from the Old Wynberg Village Society. Both were instrumental in producing it. Pause at the intersection of Maynard Mall on Main Road, facing Muizenberg, and you can ... more information
Chart Farm
Lying at the top of Wynberg Park with incredible views out over the vineyards of Constantia, Chart Farm is one of those little escapes about which only the locals know. It's one of the only places where you can pick your own roses in Cape Town and the bonus is that you can enjoy tea, coffee and an array of cakes on ... more information
Wynberg Park
Wander along pretty paths, enjoy the local duck population, or take your family for a picnic in quiet, picturesque surroundings. Adjacent to Chart's Farm where visitors can hand pick fresh apples, grapes and nectarines, or wander around the beautiful rose garden and pick your choice of magnificent roses.
Southern Suburbs
Featured Things To Do in the Southern Suburbs
The South African Rugby Museum
Where: Newlands
How much (per person): On Request
A visit to the South African rugby museum has become a regular port of call for locals and tourists visiting the city of Cape Town. The muse ... more information
Theatre in the Park
Where: Wynberg
How much (per person): R1 to R100
'This tree or not this tree?' is the question of most Shakespearian students and fans scouting out a pre-theatre picnic spot in the Maynardv ... more information
Southern Suburbs
Holiday Accommodation in Southern Suburbs
For accommodation in the Southern Suburbs see:
• Claremont Accommodation • Harfield Accommodation • Kenilworth Accommodation
• Newlands Accommodation • Observatory Accommodation • Pinelands Accommodation
• Rondebosch Accommodation • Rosebank Accommodation
Or to see all accommodation in this region at once, visit Southern Suburbs Accommodation.
Visiting the Cape Town Southern Suburbs?
Also see Cape Town Events to see whats happening or check out Things To Do in Cape Town to view activities by category, including water sports, sightseeing activities, arts & crafts and many more.
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