Five fabulous gardens to visit in spring in Cape Town

Spring has officially sprung! If you’re visiting Cape Town this spring, these five fabulous gardens should definitely feature on your itinerary…

The Spring season in CapeTown is certainly something to behold. From flower-filled fields, to manicured green gardens scattered throughout the city, Cape Town undergoes spectacular transformation during Spring. Whether you’re a local, or if you find yourself visiting during September through to December, make sure you check out these five gardens in the Mother City! 

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

Why you should visit: Visiting Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens during Spring should definitely be on your itinerary whilst in Cape Town. The gardens come to life during September to early December, with warm sunny weather and Namaqualand daisies in full bloom. For a spot of lunch, the Fynkos Kirstenbosch Tea Room Restaurant is situated within the garden and offers delectable dishes, picnics and even a high tea. 

How much does it cost: Entrance fee to the garden is R200 per adult (R80 for South Africans with an ID) and R25 per child (6-17).

How to get there: Find Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens on Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town.

ALSO READ: Kirstenbosch Garden gets ‘Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best’ award

Harold Porter National Botanical Garden

Why you should visit: Harold Porter National Botanical Garden is set between mountain and sea, in the heart of the Cape Fynbos region within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. It’s a paradise with scenic views over gorges, forests, flatlands, mountain slopes, ocean and also offers many waterfalls and amber-coloured pools.

How much does it cost: Tickets are R35 per adult, R22 per student, R25 per pensioner and R15 per child.

How to get there: The garden is situated at Corner Clarence Drive and Broadwith Road in Betty’s Bay. 

Our wild neighbours at the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden are the birds, small mammals and myriad creatures that live alongside us, moving stealthily between the sanctuary of their natural habitat and the verdant oasis of our garden pic.twitter.com/MxXObOwx62

— SA Biodiversity (@SANBI_ZA) January 31, 2022

ALSO READ: It’s alive! South Africa to get stunning new biophilic building

The Company’s Garden

Why you should visit: No only is it a green oasis in the middle of the busy city, the Company’s Garden is also South Africa’s oldest garden and a heritage site. The garden offers botanically and historically valuable trees, an aviary, fish pond and a cultivated rose garden. You can also find many monuments as well as the Iziko South African Museum and Iziko National Gallery within. 

How much does it cost: The garden is free to all. 

How to get there: 15 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town.

Company's Garden, Cape Town, South Africa 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/kySKC0kRvI

— Jack Chambers (@JackChambersGB) March 5, 2021

Durbanville Rose Garden

Why you should visit: Established in 1979, the Durbanville Rose Garden contains a spectacular array of roses with around 500 rose varietals on 4500 bushes. The best time to visit is from October to May – when these beautiful flowers are in their prime. 

How much does it cost: The garden is free to all.

How to get there: 33 Drakenstein Rd, Durbanville Hills, Cape Town

Arderne Gardens

Why you should visit: Known for its Japanese-style ponds, romantic walkways and leafy greenery, the Arderne Gardens proffers some of the finest exotic trees in South Africa, including one of the largest trees in South Africa – the Moreton Bay Fig.

How much does it cost: There is currently no entrance fee, but visitors are encouraged to donate towards the garden if they can.

How to get there: 222 Main Road, Claremont, Cape Town.