Parks and gardens in Cape Town worth a visit

4 min read

Cape Town is the perfect blend of city and nature. With Table Mountain on our doorstep at Gardens, hiking trails abound, and a variety of beaches only a short drive away, you can escape the buzz quickly for the tranquillity of nature. Parks and gardens are important green spaces that can offer relaxation, and luckily for us, there are quite a few that are worth a visit in the Mother City.

Green Point Urban Park

Situated in Green Point, this park is a perfect escape within the big city. Beautiful scenery and lots of green space make this the perfect place for a relaxing picnic. The park has its own biodiversity garden, where you can learn about the Western Cape’s fauna and flora. There is also fitness equipment available to exercise, as well as playing equipment for the kids. This park is open daily from 07:00 until 19:00. Dogs are also welcome if they are on a leash!

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch is one of the great botanical gardens of the world, and it is situated right on our doorstep. Located on Rhodes Drive in Newlands, this garden sits at the eastern foot of Table Mountain. The garden covers 5 out of 6 South African biomes and has its focus on cultivating indigenous plants. You can enjoy a walk through the 528-hectare space, have a picnic, experience a summer concert in the open air, or visit the Conservatory, where you can view plants from different regions. Kirstenbosch is open daily from 08:00 until 19:00 in the summer, and 08:00 until 18:00 during winter.

De Waal Park

Located in the suburb of Oranjezicht, this park was the first public park to open, after the Company’s Gardens, in 1895 and is considered a heritage site today. The park was known as Jubilee Park for some time and is home to 120 species of trees. The park is popular with dog owners, but would make any picnicker, recreational walker or runner, slack-rope walker, and family very happy with its green space and shaded areas. Free summer concerts take place on Sunday afternoons from March to April. Opening hours are 06:30 to 20:00 in the summer and 07:00 to 18:00 in the winter.

The Company’s Garden

The Company’s Garden has a rich history that stretches back to the 1650s, when the first European settlers used the fertile ground to grow fresh produce to replenish passing ships. This heritage site is located in central Cape Town and is watered by the Molteno Dam, which gets its water from some springs on Table Mountain. The oldest cultivated pear tree in South Africa can be found here, dating back to 1652. The garden has many other features, including a fishpond, rose garden, herb and succulent garden, restaurant, historic statues and monuments, Iziko National Gallery, and Iziko South African Museum. The garden is open to feed the squirrels from 07:00 until 19:00 daily.

Rondebosch Park

Rondebosch is an area populated by people from a diverse background, including students and the Rondebosch Park is a favourite for locals. There are tree-lined pathways which are popular among walkers, runners, and cyclists, and a children’s playground. Dogs on a leash are welcome. This park is often the location for a variety of events – it is particularly known for its art and craft market which takes place every second Saturday of the month and its Potter’s Market, which usually occurs once in March and once in November. The park is open daily from 08:00 until 18:00.

Arderne Gardens

Arderne Gardens are located in Claremont and have a history that stretches back to the 1800s. Ralph Henry Arderne planted the garden in 1845 and built his home here, making it a private garden. However, it soon became a place for residents to enjoy nature. Ralph was a merchant in the Cape Colony and obtained exotic species through his trading. Arderne Gardens thus differs from Kirstenbosch in that it specialises in the cultivation of exotic species. Today, Arderne Gardens are a popular location for wedding photographers. The entrance to the gardens is free and you can visit daily between 08:00 and 18:00.

Upper Liesbeek River Garden

Located along the Liesbeek River in Bishopscourt Village, the Upper Liesbeek River Garden began in 2004 as a community project. The area was overgrown with alien vegetation and used as a dumping ground. In order to make the area safe for people and keep the natural surroundings healthy, locals removed invasive alien vegetation and replaced it with indigenous riverine plants. Now, there are paths, a boardwalk, picnic spots, and benches. Children and adults can play in the river, where crabs, tadpoles and indigenous fish are to be found. The garden is always open but is best experienced and safest during the daytime.

These are but a few of the great gardens and parks close to Gardens Centre Holiday Apartments. Feel free to share and tag us in any pictures of the parks you are exploring. If you need directions or recommendations, our friendly staff at reception will be more than happy to help.