In Part 1 of our guide — the Active Edition of Cape Town — we covered all the places to work out, hike and cycle. And trust me, you will need every bit of it, because Cape Town has a talent for putting back on everything you just burned off.

Which brings us rather neatly to Part 2: the wineries, restaurants serving steaks the size of your face, guilty-pleasure desserts, and those “activities” that mostly involve sitting very still and staring at something beautiful. In other words, all the places worth adding to your Cape Town map when burning calories is no longer the priority.

Expect personal recommendations, a few tourist classics (yes, some really do live up to the hype), and some deliciously less touristy spots. Fewer 10,000-step days, more long lunches, beautiful views and taking your time. Here we go.

Confession: our first trip to Cape Town had nothing to do with wineries. As mentioned in the previous part, we picked up a fairly serious stomach bug, so we were actually on a pretty undesirable diet (water, mostly).

This time, wineries were firmly on the list — and I will say this: they are about far more than just drinks. Most are sprawling countryside estates where you can stay for several nights, wander long valleys, and dig into rich cheese and meat platters that double as a proper tasting experience, all while the views quietly work on lowering your anxiety.

Important note: most of the wineries are located in Stellenbosch, about 40 minutes from Cape Town, and close at around 4 pm (a few stay open until 5 pm, but that is usually the latest) — apparently so staff can get home safely before sunset. So plan ahead and allow at least 2.5–3 hours per visit, with around 1.5 hours just for walking around and exploring the estate.

Now, onto our favourites — and what makes each one worth the drive:

One of the most popular wineries in South Africa, famous for its orange orchards (the best oranges I have ever had) and a massive property, home to donkeys and every kind of bird imaginable, a wine museum and lots of cool shops. The space is so big that three hours barely scratched the surface. The wine platter was seriously rich, though the beverage options were a bit average.

Fun note: on Saturdays and Sundays, they often host activities — early morning breakfasts, pottery masterclasses, food or brunch workshops. Worth checking the schedule in advance to see if you can join (we would have loved to — just found out too late).

My personal rating: 8/10 (a little bit touristy)

A wide, sprawling winery with plenty of space for hiking and cycling (there is no rental, so make sure to bring your own bike). The atmosphere is very chill, with lots of families walking around with their children — though somehow, it still feels peaceful rather than crowded. And if all that walking leaves you hungry, there are several shops and restaurants in addition to the wine-tasting zone, if a cheese and meat platter isn't quite enough for you.

Though, honestly, the platter itself is amazing. And the experience gets even better thanks to the sommelier, who quietly listens to what you like before putting together your tasting set — a genuinely personal touch that makes the whole tasting feel tailored to you and ensures you enjoy the place to the fullest.

My personal rating: 10/10

If you think the place is simply inspired by the famous jewelry brand Graff, it is actually next level — the estate genuinely belongs to Laurence Graff, founder of the jewelry house. So expect everything in his style: luxury, beauty and a whole lot of taste. Though, despite the name and the level of luxury you might associate with it, the wine tasting here is actually quite affordable.

The tasting itself definitely lives up to the setting. The people serving you are real sommeliers who won't just rattle off a few words about the wine like everyone else — they will actually walk you through the tasting, hinting at what to feel, how each wine will open up and which snack pairs best with it.

The estate itself is noticeably smaller for walking around than the previous wineries, so you don't need to dedicate half a day to it — around two hours should be enough.

My personal rating: 8/10 (a very cool place, just a little small for walking around)

This was the most expensive winery we went to (and no, not all of them even made it onto this list), with a comparatively much smaller food platter. But it did come with one very cool experience: tasting a flight of older wines, some 20–30 years old — something pretty difficult to organise on your own, to be honest, since these bottles are usually expensive and hard to get your hands on. The views were just as amazing as everywhere else, and a small birdhouse on the property earned them a bonus point.

I wouldn't recommend this one if you only have time for one or two wineries, but if you want something a little different from the usual tasting experience, it is a genuinely fun addition.

One note: they were a bit slow to seat us, though we eventually found our spot. And while most other places don't require reservations, here it is worth calling ahead to check availability.

My personal rating: 5.5/10 (small, pricier, with a fairly small food platter and average wine).

Personal opinion on the Wine Tram: is it worth it?

For context: South Africa's wine experience is closely tied to the Wine Tram — the hop-on, hop-off tour of the wineries around Franschhoek — and it is easy to see why. For anyone hoping to squeeze several wineries into a single day, it looks like the obvious shortcut. We didn't take it ourselves, but we did visit wineries connected to the tram (not featured on this list, as we weren't particularly fond of them) and picked up plenty of feedback from friends who had.

So here is how I feel about the experience: if you don't drive, can't stay overnight, or are simply short on time, it is a sensible choice. But from what we gathered, it doesn't feel especially relaxing. There is also the small matter of your stomach — it is quite a lot to handle if you aren't hopping from place to place but actually tasting properly at each one. And then there is the overall feeling that lingers: you come wanting to be treated as a guest, savouring each place at your own pace, but instead you are processed as one of a crowd of tourists moving through on a schedule.

Though, to be fair, it is still miles better than not doing the wineries at all.

Okay, wineries are wineries, but the true spirit of Cape Town and its surroundings is something else entirely. And if discovering the city on foot after several hours of hiking isn't your choice (or it is, just not every single day), here are a few options that require little movement but still deliver plenty of emotions — and show you just how beautiful this part of the world really is.

A must-visit on your Cape Town trip is the drive out to Cape Point. We mentioned it in the previous section too, but even if a three-hour hike isn't on your agenda, it is still worth coming for a 30-minute walk around — or simply exploring by car. It is one of the most spectacular coastal spots near Cape Town, and while many assume it is the southernmost point of Africa, technically it isn't. The real one is another two hours' drive away and, honestly, not worth the detour.

Beyond the views, you will also spot plenty of wildlife: baboons, antelope, ostriches and more. And a personal recommendation: on the way back, stop by Cape Point Ostrich Farm, literally five minutes from Cape Point. For just 10 rand (2 AED), you can get a glimpse into life on an ostrich farm and feed the birds yourself — a tiny detour, but a surprisingly fun one.

Driving time: around 1.5 hours from central Cape Town.

South Africa is famous for its whale watching — though don't expect to spot any in Cape Town itself, or anywhere close to it. For that, you will need wheels (your own car, or a tourist bus) and a trip out to Hermanus, unofficially known as the whale capital of the world. The season runs from June to November, peaking around August to October, though even we, visiting in early July, got lucky enough to see the big creatures up close.

Trips range from 2.5 hours to a full day out at sea, so if you are prone to seasickness, go for the shorter option. We were — and while a can of Coca-Cola saved us for most of the ride (big recommendation), the last 30 minutes still put up a fight. You can book the experience through GetYourGuide or Viator: honestly, they are all pretty much the same.

While you are out that way, it is worth spending a few hours in Hermanus itself — plenty of lovely cafés and, unsurprisingly, spectacular sea views. And if you have still got time on the drive back, swing by Stony Point Nature Reserve in Betty's Bay for a penguin fix: fewer tourists, more authentic charm, and arguably a better experience than the famous Boulders Beach.

Driving time: around 2 hours from central Cape Town.

I strongly believe in animal therapy, and while this might sound like an activity from childhood, when our parents took us to the park to ride a pony (mine was called Fly), I still genuinely enjoy horse riding wherever we go.

Our choice was Wine Valley Adventures, though I wouldn't necessarily recommend this particular place as a must. The experience itself was lovely: you slowly ride through the landscape, take in the views and just breathe in the amazing air. The welcome, however, wasn't quite as warm as we had hoped.

All those postcard-perfect shots you see bloggers posting are often from the Waterfront — and it is easy to see why. It isn't exactly a tourist attraction in itself, but it is definitely worth visiting: plenty of restaurants, a huge seafront for walking or running, and, most importantly, the views people come here for every evening at sunset.

I wouldn't necessarily plan an entire day around the place, but I would definitely book dinner somewhere in the area and then stay for the sunset. It is one of those views you will remember.

I am not really one for food recommendations in places like Cape Town and its suburbs. Honestly, with Google at your fingertips, you would struggle to find a bad spot even if you tried. But if your travel style leans towards playing it safe and relying on recommendations, here are a few of our favourites.

Breakfast options:

Lunch & Dinner: