Cape Town for The Time Travellers: a Friday-to-Monday weekend

The vegetable patch the Dutch East India Company planted in 1652 to feed passing ships, now a tree-lined walk with squirrels and old oaks.

The 1679 building that held enslaved people for the Company; the exhibits trace the long history of the Cape's slaves with brisk, honest labels.

The Cape's oldest tavern, licensed since 1808, with a pie and a pint under low beams; it was the pub of the Cape's soldiers and sailors.

The ferry and a tour led by a former political prisoner; the cell block is quiet. Tickets sell out weeks ahead in season.

Built from 1666 to 1679 in a five-pointed star, the oldest colonial building in South Africa; join the 12:00 key ceremony if you can.

A fixed-price table of dishes from across the continent, brought on shared platters; the evening is long and relaxed, so book for eight.

A church hall full of street signs, a floor map and memories from families removed in the 1970s; guided by former residents.

Brightly painted Cape Malay houses on cobbled streets, the oldest mosque in South Africa and the Auwal Mosque are a short walk uphill from Wale Street.

Cape Malay curries and bobotie from a terrace above the city, which is lit up after dark; order the sampler to try a few things.

A small museum of Ashanti, Mali and Senegal goldwork, in an old Martin Melck house; the weights and the jewellery are the highlights.

Nelson Mandela addressed the crowd from its balcony on 11 February 1990, nine days after his release; the facade is Edwardian and free to see.

A small roastery with excellent coffee and light lunches; sit in the courtyard and read before the airport.