Slow Days for Two: The Most Romantic Things to Do in and Around Cape Town

Sep 22

The best moments of a romantic trip usually aren't the ones you planned to the minute. They're the long lunch that ran into the afternoon, the walk on the beach that lasted longer than you meant it to, the glass of wine as the light changed. Cape Town is very good at those days. Here are some of our favourite ways to spend one.

A picnic in the Winelands

Boschendal, Franschhoek Valley. Picnics at Boschendal have been a Cape tradition for generations, and they remain one of the most romantic ways to spend an afternoon in the Winelands. Find a spot on the lawns under the old oaks, with the Simonsberg mountains rising behind the vineyards, and open a basket of freshly baked bread, salads from the estate's own Werf Food Garden, charcuterie from the Boschendal Butchery, homemade preserves and something sweet to finish. Add a bottle from the cellar, and the rest of the day tends to sort itself out. Picnics run every day except Tuesday, and booking is essential.

Local tip: roadworks on the R45 and R101 can add up to an hour to the drive from Cape Town at the moment, so leave early and don't book anything tight afterwards.

A slow day in Franschhoek

Franschhoek is probably the most romantic village in the Cape. It's a single main street of galleries, bakeries and restaurants, ringed by mountains on every side. The easiest way to explore the valley is the Franschhoek Wine Tram: an open-air double-decker tram and tram-bus that loop through the vineyards, stopping at wine estates along the way. There are eight routes covering 24 estates, so you can choose the ones that suit you, get off wherever you like and stay as long as you want. Tickets cost R270 per person, with tastings from about R35 to R150 at each stop. Departures run between 9:30am and 1:30pm.

Pick a line, book lunch at one of the estates at least a day ahead, and let the afternoon stretch. Best of all, nobody has to drive. Any wine you buy along the way can be held for you and collected when the day is over.

A spa day in Camps Bay

The Spa at The Twelve Apostles. Some days call for doing nothing at all, and this is where to do it. The spa sits between the mountains and the sea just beyond Camps Bay, and it's open daily from 9am to 6pm to hotel guests and visitors alike. Book treatments together, then spend the rest of the day between the spa pools and the tranquillity lounge. Access to both comes with any treatment from R1,450 per person, along with the healthy snacks and fresh juices at the Health Bar. Afterwards, walk down to the terrace for a drink as the sun goes down over the Atlantic.

A sunset sail

Watching the sun set over the Atlantic from the deck of a catamaran, with Table Mountain turning pink behind you, is one of Cape Town's great moments for two. Sunset Cruise Cape Town sails from the V&A Waterfront on 90-minute cruises timed to the sunset, with two glasses of sparkling wine each included. Tickets are about R720 per person. Claim a spot on the nets at the front, bring a jacket (it gets cool on the water), and watch for dolphins and seals on the way out.

Sunday evening at Kirstenbosch

From late November to the end of March, Kirstenbosch's Summer Sunset Concerts are Cape Town's favourite summer ritual. On Sunday evenings, thousands of Capetonians spread out on the lawns below the eastern slopes of Table Mountain for live music as the sun goes down behind the mountain. Bring a blanket, a picnic and your own bottle of wine, since none is sold in the garden. Arrive early for a good spot on the lawn. Last season, concerts started at 5:15pm and tickets were R360 each. The 2026/27 lineup is expected to be announced in late September, and tickets for the big names sell out fast, so book as soon as it's out.

A beach ride at Noordhoek

Noordhoek Beach is 8km of wide, empty white sand between Chapman's Peak and Kommetjie. It's one of the most beautiful beaches in the Cape, and the best way to see it is on horseback. Imhoff Equestrian Centre runs guided 90-minute rides through the dunes and along the shoreline, splashing through the shallows with Chapman's Peak behind you. Keep an eye out for whales in season. Rides depart at 9am, 12pm and 3:30pm and cost R850 per person. You don't need riding experience, and the guides match every rider with a horse to suit. Choose the 3:30pm ride for the softest light. Riders must be 12 or older and weigh under 95kg.

Our idea of a perfect slow day

Start with an early ride along Noordhoek Beach. Head through to the Winelands for a long picnic under the oaks at Boschendal, then drive back in time to watch the sun go down from the water on a Waterfront catamaran. Nothing is rushed, and the whole day is spent outside. The best part comes at the end, when you're back at your own place for the night.