Constantia Valley - The Green Heart of Cape Town
Constantia is known as one of the up-market areas of Cape Town with beautiful countryside, breathtaking scenery and all the trappings of contemporary living. The leafy Constantia Valley, the jewel of the Cape, is steeped in history. It is the birthplace of the wine farming industry in South Africa. As you drive through the beautiful historical valley it is no wonder the first Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, chose this situation for his farm, Groot Constantia. Today, four of the originally five wine farms that were part of that original portion of prime land which was granted to him are still there, and exceptional new wine farms have been added to the outstanding selection.
Constantia Wine Route and Wine Farms
World class wines are being produced along the Constantia Wine Route and accoladed for its escalating quality. Visitors can taste the fine wines and experience a unique journey through each of the now nine farms, some of them also hold top class South African Restaurants. The oldest and most famous of the wine farms, Groot Constantia, also has an interesting wine museum.
Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia, Buitenverwachting, Constantia Uitsig and Steenberg farms are all within a few minutes’ drive of each other, and all offer wine tasting and purchasing. In Upper Constantia on the road to Hout Bay are the upcoming wine producers of the region located, the small but exclusive wine cellars of Beau Constance, High Constantia, Constantia Glen and Eagles Nest. Lovers of fine wine will enjoy spending a day on this wine route.
Constantia Restaurants
Constantia valley boasts quality up-market restaurants and reasonably priced eateries in abundance.
Attractions in Constantia
Another attraction in Constantia is a Moslem shrine, part of the Islamic holy chain of Kramats, stretching from Robben Island through Faure, Constantia, Oude Kraal and Vlaeberg.
Adjoining Constantia (and really a part of the valley) is Tokai - a vast area which includes the Tokai forests, the Silverhurst Golf Estate and some very pleasant country retreats - a beautiful area gene-rally which offers pleasant walks, great mountain bike trails, horse riding and a variety of picnic sites.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Constantia is also pleasantly situated about a five minutes’ drive from the world-famous Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Here one can spend hours wandering and relaxing in so many different areas such as the Fragrance Garden, the Dell, the Cycad Amphitheatre, Matthew's rockery, the Fynbos Walk and “the Boomslang”, the Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway. If the more adventurous hikers climb up to the Contour Path they are treated to the most magnificent views over the Constantia Valley towards the False Bay coast line. Kirstenbosch is perfect for relaxation as well as education - there are coffee shop, restaurant, nursery and information centre. Guided tours, flower shows, and - not to forget - summer sunset concerts are all on offer.
A Craft Market is held on the last Sunday every summer month at the entrance of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. It has become very popular and is always a well-attended event. The recently renovated Constantia Shopping Centre boasts a wide variety of up-market shops, restaurants and coffee shops to suit most requirements.