Gardens

Gardens – the green lung in the middle of town

The suburb Gardens is located on the southern side of Cape Town’s city centre at the foot of Table Mountain. It is one of the oldest residential areas of the Mother City and its name is derived from the Company’s Garden.

Things to do in Gardens

When the Dutch East India Company decided to start a small settlement at the Cape of Good Hope to supply passing ships with fresh goods, they quickly set up a vegetable garden which grew to an impressive size of 18 hectare. Over time, however, the garden lost its significance and become a botanical garden. Today, visitors can stroll through the roughly 3 hectare large Company’s Garden featuring plants from all over the world, given to South Africa as gifts by numerous dignitaries. Walk in the shade of century-old trees, stop to smell the roses or buy some nuts to feed the squirrels.

But the flora and fauna isn’t the only highlight. In the Company’s Garden, you will also find the Iziko South Africa Museum, the oldest in the country, the Iziko National Gallery, the planetarium and a small Jewish museum. Another great park in the area is De Waal Park, popular with dog owners and families for picnics.

Where to eat and party in Gardens

If you get hungry after a long day out, go to Kloof Street, where an array of restaurants awaits you. No matter if you feel like Thai, burgers, haute cuisine or a good steak, you’ll find the right place for your taste buds. There is no shortage of bars for a long night out either. Kloof Street is the extension of Long Street, which gives you a 2-km stretch with shops, restaurants, cafés, bars and night clubs rubbing shoulders.

Gardens in ideal for active visitors

Gardens is ideally located for any visitors who would like to be able to walk into the city centre, yet sleep in peace and quiet. It is a fairly affluent neighbourhood dotted with beautiful old Victorian houses here and there. It is safe enough to walk alone during the day and after dark, you should always travel in a small group or take a taxi, as is the case anywhere in Cape Town.

Its closeness to the Table Mountain cable car station, Lion’s Head and Signal Hill is another bonus. We highly recommend hiking up Lion’s Head (about 1 hour) to enjoy a 360 degree-view of Cape Town. Watching the sunset from Signal Hill and seeing the city lights at night is view you won’t forget.