The world-famous wine region that sells cheap plonk for under £4 (2024)

If enjoying a decent glass of vino and a slap-up dinner is the first thing you crave on holiday, then it makes sense to centre your entire trip around finding the ultimate foodie destination.

Now, a new study has crowned the best city in the world for drinking and dining – and you can nab yourself a world-class bottle of wine for £4.

A port city on South Africa’s famous southwest coast, Cape Town is tucked away on a peninsula under the looming Table Mountain, and was named a leading destination for fans of cheap (but crucially, delicious) wine.

The new study, from the experts at Which?, noted that guests can enjoy a high-end three-course meal in this vibrant city for as little as £30 (for two people, that is).

An absolute bargain, a mid-range three-course meal is on the cards for an average of 700 South African rand (just under £30), whilst a mid-range bottle of wine comes in at around 87.50 ZAR (approximately £3.68). Dinner in Cape Town, anyone?

There’s an abundance of vineyards just outside the city, including the world-famous Cavalli Estate, as well as Gabrielskloof and Hazendal, all of which are open to the public to visit.

There’s no shortage of grapes, either, as Cape Town and the Western Cape have a combined 2,693 wine group farmers and 45 producer cellars.

But it isn’t just wine it’s famous for: Cape Town is home to gorgeous sunny weather, Table Mountain National Park and the picturesque Boulders Beach, featuring sparking blue waters and flocks of thriving penguins.

Things to do in Cape Town

If nature’s your thing, then a visit to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden should be on the cards. Set against the backdrop of the Table Mountain, it’s regarded as one of the greatest botanical gardens in the world.

Likewise, a hike up The Cape of Good Hope, a rocky headland facing the Atlantic Ocean, is a must. This section of the Table Mountain National Park boasts incredible vistas of the ocean, deserted beaches and ideal birdwatching opportunities.

For an insight into South Africa’s history, visit the Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum, a social history museum that documents the local history.

There’s also the all-important Robben Island Museum, located on Robben Island, which is where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years until his release in 1990. Ferries to the island depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway by the V&A Waterfront.

And, of course, there are plenty of fantastic restaurants, from the famous Nobu sushi bar to Foxcroft, or its sister eatery, La Colombe.

Gourmet food is also on offer (at a cheaper rate) at the Neighbourgoods Market, open every Saturday and Sunday.

When to visit Cape Town

When you visit Cape Town all depends on how much of a penchant you have for hot weather. Like Australia and New Zealand, the South African capital is in the southern hemisphere, so winter and summer are switched round (from our perspective, at least).

With that in mind, the hottest months of the year to visit are October through to February, when averages range from highs of 29C in January and February to 25C and 27C in November and December. Fancy a beach Christmas?

However, if sun isn’t your thing then it’s generally cooler the rest of the year (but arguably still scorching by British standards.)

In March and April, the highest average temperatures still dip up to the likes of 27C and 25C, but in June, July and August, it generally only reaches 20C.

For clear skies and long, sunny days, January through to March is the optimum time to visit. It’s also the low season for whale watching and shark cage diving, so if you’re brave enough, you might get yourself a cheaper deal on those fronts.

How to get to Cape Town

The easiest route to Cape Town from London is to fly from Heathrow Airport, where you can change in Zurich. The first leg of the journey takes 1 hour 40 minutes, and the longer leg takes 11 hours and 25 minutes.

It’s also possible to change at other airports, including Frankfurt and Hamad in Qatar.

Flight prices vary, but it can cost anywhere between £500 for a return flight up to £1,000.

From Manchester, flights cost a similar amount, and there are options to fly through the likes of Geneva, Istanbul and Zurich.

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