Contemporary Cape Town

Contemporary Cape Town
11 Days
2 Great Location/s
PERFECT FOR:
Couples, Families, Groups, Seniors, Solo

Cape Town has a thriving and eclectic art scene that reflects the city’s rich cultural background and modern art vision. From the contemporary galleries of Woodstock to the tranquil exhibition spaces of Franschhoek, Cape Town provides a self-drive journey that is both artistically gratifying and convenient. This tour gives a schedule for an enriching study of Cape Town and Franschhoek’s most prominent art galleries from the comfort of your hired vehicle.

The “Contemporary Cape Town” tour offers a self-drive adventure through the vibrant art scenes of Cape Town and Franschhoek. Guests will explore the Woodstock Art Route, and visit Norval Foundation, SMAC Gallery, Hout Bay Gallery, Osner Art Gallery, and Red Room Gallery. Then, they’ll enjoy a stay at Ludus Magnus in Franschhoek, discovering AITY GALLERY, Vineyard Gallery Franschhoek, Sénéchal-Senekal Art Gallery, manZArt gallery, The Gallery at Grande Provence, and Muse Gallery Franschhoek. With car rental included, clients can paint their own path through these culturally rich regions.

Tour Highlights
  • Woodstock Art Route
  • Norval Foundation
  • SMAC Gallery
  • Hout Bay Art Route
  • Franschhoek Art Route
  • The Gallery at Grande Provence
  • Muse Gallery Franschhoek
Included
  • Accommodation
  • Daily breakfast
  • Car rental for for the duration of this tour with premium insurance cover and unlimited mileage
  • 24/7 On-call local support
Excluded
  • Flights
  • Entry Fees
  • Visa processing fees
  • Insurance
  • Tips, gratuities and porterage
  • All items of a personal nature
  • All items not explicitly stated

Trip Itinerary

Ellerman House Fine Art Hotel

Day 1

Cape Town, South Africa

Ellerman House Hotel

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport
Upon arrival at cape Town International Airport, you'll head to the designated car hire company to collect your vehicle and kick-start your journey. Check into the Ellerman House in Bantry Bay (bed and breakfast).

Leisure time
Exhibited throughout the property as well as in a dedicated gallery of contemporary works, the Ellerman House art collection is as unique as it is significant. The pieces span more than two centuries, taking visitors on a journey through South Africa’s complex political and cultural history. From landscape painter, Thomas Bowler, bringing 1800s Cape Town to life through his watercolours, to more recent pieces from artists like William Kentridge and his striking social commentary work; it is a vast and diverse collection.

Day 2

Cape Town, South Africa

Ellerman House Hotel

Woodstock Art Route
Kick off your tour with a drive through Woodstock, Cape Town’s bustling artistic hub. Dive into the eclectic galleries, street art, and creative spaces that define this neighborhood. Stevenson Gallery, D Core Art & Soul Design, Woodstock Art Gallery, 131a Gallery & Exposure Gallery

Recommended Dining Experience
Stardust Theatrical Dining: This is no ordinary restaurant. This is the home of the singing waiter! Make sure you get your waiter’s name – it’ll be written in lights one day! Booking is essential. 118 Sir Lowry Road, Foreshore

Woodstock Street Art - Cape Town
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa

Day 3

Cape Town, South Africa

Ellerman House Hotel

Norval Foundation
Visit the Norval Foundation to discover its cutting-edge exhibitions and sculpture garden. 4 Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA)
The art is excellent and truly African, very conceptual - it makes you realize how deeply philosophical and authentic African artists are. The museum's architecture is itself art.  S Arm Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town

Recommended Dining Experience
The Silo Hotel is close to the museum and its rooftop bar, which is open to the public, offers the very best view of the Waterfront.

Day 4

Cape Town, South Africa

Ellerman House Hotel

Iziko South African National Gallery
The museum has a well-curated collection of contemporary art as well as older gems. Even if one only goes to see the iconic Butcher Boys, it is worth it. This piece of art is to us what the David statue is to Europe. The museum located in the Company's Garden which itself is something to behold and is very close to the very trendy Truth Cafe which is an absolute must. Government Ave, Gardens, Cape Town

SMAC Gallery
25 Church Street, Cape Town City Centre

Recommended Dining Experience
Kloof Street House: The menu is good and the atmosphere very, very artsy and trendy with a bottomless gin. Kloof and Bree streett are an art mecca with dozens of small galleries that you can pop into. Note: Bree street is closed to traffic on a Sundays.

Norval Foundation - Cape Town
Osner Art Gallery

Day 5

Cape Town, South Africa

Ellerman House Hotel

Hout Bay Art Route
Spend the day exploring the artistic offerings of Hout Bay. Each offers unique perspectives and impressive collections that shouldn't be overlooked.

Hout Bay Gallery, 71 Victoria Ave, Hout Bay

Osner Art Gallery, 14 Luisa Way, Hout Bay

Red Room Gallery, 62 Mount Rhodes Dr, Hout Bay

Day 6

Franschhoek, South Africa

Ludus Magnus

Drive to Franschhoek
Check into Ludus Magnus (bed and breakfast).

Leisure time
You’ll discover an exciting if not eclectic array of activities and delightfully unique spaces to explore within the estate, making Ludus Magnus highly sought after for travelers.

Book a spa treatment.

Chill in and around the sparkling pool.

Soak in the warm jacuzzi.

Wander the estate by foot between the fruit trees, olive grove and Shiraz vineyard.

Spot the beehives, springbok, donkeys, horses and visit the chickens.

Ludus Magnus Franschhoek
AITY GALLERY Franschhoek

Day 7

Franschhoek, South Africa

Ludus Magnus

AITY GALLERY 
Begin your Franschhoek exploration at AITY Gallery, known for its diverse art collection. Shop 1, Heritage Square, 9 Huguenot St, Franschhoek

Sénéchal-Senekal Art Gallery 
Visit Sénéchal-Senekal Art Gallery, which showcases extraordinary works by acclaimed artists. Shop 10, Franschhoek Square, 34 Huguenot Street

Vineyard Gallery Franschhoek
Then, drive over to Vineyard Gallery Franschhoek to admire art inspired by the region's natural beauty. 21 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek

manZArt Gallery
Continue to manZArt Gallery to enjoy more contemporary pieces. 30 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek

Day 8

Franschhoek, South Africa

Ludus Magnus

Franschhoek Wine Tram
The most popular option, the Hop-on Hop-off Experience, allows you to do just that – hop on and off as you like, experiencing the different activities on offer, be it wine tasting, a cellar tour, lunch or just a stroll through the vineyards. And when you’re ready, simply hop-on to continue your journey.

Blue Line: La Bri, Holden Manz, Mont Rochelle, Maison, Klein Goederust, Rickety Bridge, Grande Provence, Franschhoek Cellar.

Navy Line: Plaisir, Vrede en Lust, Boschendal, Allée Bleue, Camberley, Bartinney, Le Pommier, Zorgvliet.

Orange Line: Boschendal, Plaisir, Noble Hill, Babylonstoren, Baccō, Anura, Vrede en Lust.

Pink Line: Rickety Bridge, Grande Provence, Franschhoek Cellar, Atlas Swift, Leopard's Leap, Dieu Donné, Chamonix, Pigcasso.

Red Line: Rickety Bridge, Grande Provence, Franschhoek Cellar, Eikehof, Lynx, Paserene, Haute Cabrière, Le Lude.

Franschhoek Wine Tram
Muse Gallery Franschhoek

Day 9

Franschhoek, South Africa

Ludus Magnus

The Gallery at Grande Provence 
Start at The Gallery at Grande Provence, featuring local and international artists within the historic winery. Main Road, Franschhoek

Muse Gallery Franschhoek
Finish your art tour at Muse Gallery Franschhoek, where innovative and inspiring works are on display. The Siding, La Provence Road, Franschhoek

Day 10

Franschhoek, South Africa

Ludus Magnus

Day trip to Stellenbosch

The Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden
In this garden of private myth, the artist explores the Jungian notion of ‘the wilderness within’. More than 60 sculptures constituting a comprehensive record of his artistic development thus far have been carefully sited along 4 km of paths. Paradyskloof Road, Paradyskloof, Stellenbosch

Rupert Museum
The Rupert Museum invites artists and creatives, from any creative industry, platform or profession, to take inspiration from AbstRacT. Stellentia Road, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch

SMAC Gallery | Stellenbosch
SMAC Gallery’s art fair participation includes Art Basel Miami Beach, Art Basel Hong Kong, The Armory Show and Art Brussels. 1st Floor, De Wet Centre, 2 Church Street, Stellenbosch

The Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden
Ludus Magnus Franschhoek

Day 11

Franschhoek, South Africa

Ludus Magnus

Drive to Cape Town International Airport
After breakfast, drive back to Cape Town to catch your flight home. Be sure to refuel the rental car before returning it.

Ascot Tours | DMC

Explore more options

Car hire inclusions:

  • Theft and Collision Damage Waiver
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Airport Surcharge
  • Tourism Levy
  • Value Added Tax at 15%
  • Carbon Emissions Tax
  • ALL Additional Drivers per rental
  • Damage due to Sandblasting
  • Tyre and rim damage, hubcaps
  • Windscreen
  • GPS Unit