Hg2 : The Hedonist

A Hedonist’s guide to…

Cape Town

SightsLandmarks & Monuments

Vergelegen
A little off the beaten track, but definitely worth it for the chance to sample some of the region's best wine; the stunning surroundings and Cape Dutch architecture add to its splendour.

SightsPerforming Arts

Theatre on the Bay
Theatre on the Bay is a delightfully intimate theatre that puts on a variety of West End-style musicals and smaller-scale dramas, comedies and revues.

Magazine

The Origin Psytrance Festival, Cape Town
Cape Town's annual Origin Psytrance Festival celebrates psychedelic music and dancing marathons. Think you can keep up?

SightsPerforming Arts

The Fugard
Named after South Africa's greatest playwright, The Fugard is all set to become Cape Town's greatest theatre.

Magazine

The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, Cape Town
Hg2 Cape Town author Keith Bain opts for a little culture at the opening of symphony season, and goes in search of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.

Magazine

The best Cape Town events in January
Hg2's Cape Town resident Keith Bain picks out 5 of January's unmissable Cape Town events. Don't miss out!

SightsLandmarks & Monuments

Table Mountain
As Cape Town's most iconic sight, you don't need to 'visit' Table Mountain to appreciate its awe-inspiring beauty.

SightsLandmarks & Monuments

Taal Monument
The much-talked about Taal Monument is a cultural must-see, particularly if you've read up on on the criticism its received. Stop, stare and make up your own mind.

SightsArt Gallery

South African National Gallery
Despite owning over 8000 artworks, the relatively small premises of the South African National Gallery means it can only display a certain number of artworks at any given time. Which means you can focus on what's available and not get overwhelmed.

SightsLandmarks & Monuments

Solms-Delta
Solms-Delta offers an intimate tasting experience followed up by a picnic on the grounds. Wash everything down with wine, naturally.

SightsArt Gallery

Rupert Museum
There's not much to say about the building itself, but focus is very much on the artwork at the Rupert Museum. Perhaps that is the way it should be.

SightsLandmarks & Monuments

Rhodes Memorial
Built in mock Athenian architecture, the Rhodes Memorial affords views out beyond the Cape Flats towards the distant distant Helderberg and Hottentots Holland Mountains. If that doesn't take your breath away, nothing will.

SightsPerforming Arts

Oude Libertas Amphitheatre
Oude Libertas Amphitheatre is an outdoor venue with a signature sophisticated sound; enjoy choir recitals, acapella groups, jazz and opera.

SightsLandmarks & Monuments

Muratie
Muratie is a romantic winery with a great history; take a cellar tour to learn all about it.

SightsPerforming Arts

Maynardville Open-Air Theatre
Enjoy the balmy summer nights at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre, ice-cold refreshment in-hand of course.

SightsInside

Labia
Labia is home to South Africa's oldest-surviving cinema and comes complete with old world-style surroundings. Alcohol can still be bought to take in with you too, which is always nice.

SightsParks & Gardens

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
There's nothing secret about the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden - in fact, it's considered one of the best gardens in the world - but that's not to say it's lost any of its natural beauty.

Magazine

Keith Bain on the return of Offbeat Broadway musical
South Africa will soon see the return of the 90s musical hit, Offbeat Broadway, and Hg2 Cape Town author Keith Bain can't wait.

SightsPerforming Arts

Kalk Bay Theatre
Size isn't everything as this intimate scaled-down theatre proves.

SightsArt Gallery

Irma Stern Museum
Irma Stern Museum champions the work of the eponymous South African artist; a must-visit for culture vultures and art buffs alike.

SightsLandmarks & Monuments

Groot Constantia Wine Museum
If this wine estate was good enough for Napoleon, then Groot Constantia Homestead and Wine Museum is certainly good enough for us.

SightsMuseum

Franschhoek Motor Museum
Petrol heads will fall head-over-bumper for the Franschhoek Motor Museum, home to over 220 vehicles from a wide-ranging period of automotive history.

SightsLandmarks & Monuments

Franschhoek Estate
The Graham Beck Franschhoek Estate is hugely popular for tastings - with its sparkling wine a hot favourite.

SightsMuseum

District Six Museum
While it doesn't make for easy viewing, the District Six Museum remembers the site of Apartheid destruction - and it's a must on any visitor's itinerary.

SightsParks & Gardens

Company’s Garden
Bordering parliamentary buildings and the National Gallery, these gardens are the perfect place to people-watch and bask in the sun.

SightsTours

Coffeebeans Routes
City tours can all get a bit same-y but Coffeebeans Routes offers inventive itineraries that stray from the beaten path. Woohoo!

SightsPerforming Arts

Cluver Forest Amphitheatre
With just a handful of performances each summer, the Paul Cluver Forest Amphitheatre ranks not only as the most beautiful and intimate concert venue in South Africa, but also the most exclusive. 

SightsLandmarks & Monuments

Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope has everything you'd expect from a good fort, including a surrounding moat and dungeon, and it has great views of the area to boot.

SightsEvents

Cape Town International Jazz Festival
It may not be the biggest musical festival in the world but Cape Town International Jazz Festival is certainly considered one of the best.

Magazine

Cape Town hosts third Southern Ink Xposure (SIX)
The biggest tattoo convention in the southern hemisphere - Southern Ink Xposure - descends on Cape Town this weekend. Keith Bain explores the highlights.

SightsMuseum

Cape Town Diamond Museum
A glittering exhibition of how South Africa came to dominate the world of diamonds...

SightsLandmarks & Monuments

Cape Point Vineyards
It may not be on the same scale as Boekenhoutskloof, but the wine tasting available at Cape Point Vineyards is no less enjoyable. So enjoyable, in fact, that we cannot remember our last after one-too-many glasses of Lord-knows-what vintage.

SightsLandmarks & Monuments

Boulders Penguin Colony
Boulders Penguin Colony is a remarkable site for those into nature; if you can't go to Antarctica, come here instead.

SightsLandmarks & Monuments

Boekenhoutskloof
Whether you can pronounce it or not is irrelevant; Boekenhoutskloof is a historic wine estate that hosts tastings that would please even the most discerning connoisseur.

SightsLandmarks & Monuments

Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap is a must-see neighbourhood for those interested in the history of Afrikaans; the photos make great Facebook fodder too.

SightsPerforming Arts

Baxter Theatre
The Baxter Theatre is arguably more about the architecture than the performing arts that take place inside it, but the campus-based building is still a great place for culture vultures to take in a wide range of productions.

SightsPerforming Arts

Artscape
Artscape hosts both local and international musical productions within Apartheid-era architecture; with so much to take in, you won't know whether to look at the stage or your surroundings.

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