The best art destinations in Cape Town

While many visitors come simply to admire the dramatic reinvention of an historic grain silo by renowned UK designer Thomas Heatherwick, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa  is – more importantly – home to the world’s largest collection of contemporary African art. Across permanent and temporary exhibitions, explore more than 1000 works by leading African artists across painting, sculpture, photography, and multimedia. The museum also offers guided tours, art talks, workshops, performances, and film screenings.

Silo District, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

The Norval Foundation offers modern and contemporary African art in a striking architectural setting the Constantia Winelands. The sculpture garden, with views of Table Mountain, blends art and nature through paths that wind among endemic plants and monumental sculptures. Featured artists include William Kentridge and Deborah Bell, with installations changing throughout the year. The foundation also houses a research library focused on 20th- and 21st-century visual art.

4 Steenberg Rd, Tokai

Locals love First Thursdays, with galleries open late for art lovers to wander from gallery to restaurant to trendy boutique. This monthly cultural experience is centred around art, food and music, with art galleries, restaurants and bars concentrated in walkable precincts including Church Street, Loop Street, Bree Street, Church Square, and the Silo District. Most venues are free and open to the public. Each month's programme can be explored online at first-thursdays.co.za.

Cape Town abounds with wonderful private art galleries that welcome visitors. With gallery spaces in Cape Town, London and New York, the Goodman Gallery is perhaps the leading contemporary art gallery in the city. Goodman focuses on artists – not necessarily African – that engage in a dialogue with Africa. WhatIfTheWorld Gallery showcases local emerging artists and has fast become a focal point for contemporary African art, while the Stevenson Gallery also exhibits artists from across the continent, with a varied programme of exhibitions throughout the year.

Some of the finest art collections in the Cape are found in the Cape Winelands, offering the perfect opportunity to while away a weekend sipping on Chardonnay and soaking up a little culture. Spier plays host to one of the largest collections of contemporary art in South Africa, and their Creative Block initiative supports local artists. Not far off, in the historic university town of Stellenbosch, the Rupert Museum boasts a world-class collection of European and South African art. At Cavalli the 600-square-metre Cavalli Gallery takes its architectural cue from the Cy Twombly Gallery in Texas, even though the art here is proudly South African. Also look to impressive galleries and art experiences on Tokara, Delaire Graff and La Motte.

Also close to Stellenbosch is the remarkable seven-hectare Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden where 60 or so works offer a fascinating showcase of the creative history of this acclaimed artist and sculptor. Surrounded by fynbos, water features and framed by the Stellenbosch mountains, you can understand his creative process in the artist’s former studio and discover ‘sculptural sketches’ centred on the human journey. A small café offers light refreshments. Visits are strictly by appointment.

Paradyskloof Road, Stellenbosch

Housed in the artist’s former home in the suburb of Rosebank, this intimate museum celebrates the life and work of one of South Africa’s most collectable 20th-century artists. Alongside art and artefacts collected on her travels through Africa and Europe, the Irma Stern Museum displays a vast collection of her works. Some rooms are preserved as they were during her lifetime, giving visitors a glimpse into the personal and creative space where she lived for 40 years.

21 Cecil Rd, Rosebank 

For an inside look at the city’s creative landscape, look to the bespoke walking tours offered by Kate Crane Briggs of Culture Connect. Across a variety of tour itineraries, art-loving travellers can look forward to discovering hand-picked galleries, collections and studios that delve into the chequered social history of the city.

There’s a growing appreciation for street art in Cape Town – evidenced by the annual International Public Arts Festival – and the city boasts a number of incredible murals. Some of the best art is in and around Salt River, and although you can explore it on your own, rather book a guided walking tour with the knowledgeable folks at Baz-Art.