How to Enjoy a 3-Day Weekend: Smart City Breaks for South Africans

Most people think a 3-day weekend means sleeping in, scrolling through social media, and maybe doing a little laundry. But what if you could turn those extra hours into real joy - the kind that sticks with you long after Monday rolls around? You don’t need to fly overseas or spend your whole savings. A great 3-day weekend starts with one simple idea: treat it like a mini vacation, not an extended Saturday.

Choose a city that feels like a different world

Port Elizabeth might be your home, but it doesn’t have to be your escape. Head north to Knysna - just 5 hours by car. The air smells like pine and salt. You can walk through the Knysna Forest, kayak past floating oyster farms, and eat fresh seafood on a wooden deck with the lagoon stretching out in front of you. Or drive east to East London, where the Indian Ocean crashes against cliffs and you can spot dolphins from the beach before grabbing a coffee at a surf-side café.

Not into the coast? Try Stellenbosch. Wine tasting doesn’t have to be fancy. Pick a small farm, like Spier or Waterkloof, and sit under a tree with a glass of Pinotage while the vineyards stretch out like green waves. No reservations needed on a Friday afternoon. Just show up, ask for the tasting flight, and let the day slow down.

These places aren’t crowded in late November. You won’t be stuck in traffic or waiting an hour for a table. That’s the secret: go when others aren’t.

Plan less, feel more

One of the biggest mistakes people make is over-scheduling. You think you need to see three museums, hike two trails, and eat at five restaurants. But a 3-day weekend isn’t a checklist. It’s a mood.

Here’s how to do it right:

1. Friday evening: Arrive. Check into a guesthouse with a view. Walk around the town center. Find a local pub - not the one with the neon sign, but the one where the bartender knows your name by the second drink.
2. Saturday: Pick one thing to do. Maybe it’s a morning market. Or a guided walk through historic streets. Then spend the rest of the day wandering. Sit on a bench. Watch kids chase pigeons. Buy a single piece of handmade pottery just because it made you smile.
3. Sunday: Sleep in. Have breakfast in bed. Drive back slowly, with the windows down and a playlist of songs you haven’t heard in years.

You don’t need to document every moment. In fact, the best memories are the ones you didn’t take a photo of.

Stay somewhere that feels like home, but better

Hotels are fine. But for a real 3-day reset, choose a self-catering cottage, a tiny guesthouse, or even a converted garage turned into a cozy studio. Places like Knysna Hideaway or Stellenbosch Loft often come with a kitchen, a fireplace, and a porch. That means you can buy fresh fruit from a roadside stall, make your own coffee, and eat dinner under the stars without paying restaurant prices.

And here’s a tip: look for places with a hot tub or a bathtub overlooking nature. There’s something about soaking in warm water after a day of walking - it doesn’t just relax your muscles. It resets your mind.

Bring only what you need

You don’t need three pairs of shoes, five outfits, or your entire skincare routine. Pack like you’re going on a camping trip - but with better sheets.

• One versatile outfit for daytime
• One comfy outfit for evenings
• One light jacket (it gets chilly by the coast after sunset)
• Good walking shoes
• A book you’ve been meaning to read
• A reusable water bottle
• Your phone - but leave the charger at home. Use it only for maps and music.

Leave the laptop. Leave the work emails. Leave the guilt. This isn’t a work trip with extra days. It’s your time.

Turn the drive into part of the experience

Most people race to their destination. But the road is where the magic starts. Pick a route you’ve never taken. Maybe it’s the N2 through the Garden Route, or the R62 - South Africa’s oldest wine route. Stop at a roadside stall for boerewors rolls. Pull over at a lookout point just because the light looks golden.

Put on a playlist that makes you feel alive - not the one you use for commuting. Maybe it’s Johnny Clegg, or a mix of old-school jazz. Let the music fill the car. Sing off-key. Laugh at yourself. That’s the sound of freedom.

What to avoid

Don’t try to do everything. You’ll end up exhausted, not refreshed.

Don’t book everything in advance. Leave room for spontaneity. Sometimes the best moments happen when you wander into a place you didn’t plan for - like that little bookstore in Somerset West with the cat on the windowsill, or the hidden waterfall near Graaff-Reinet.

Don’t compare your weekend to someone else’s Instagram. Real joy doesn’t come from perfect photos. It comes from quiet moments: the smell of rain on dry earth, the sound of a kettle boiling in a foreign kitchen, the way your shoulders drop when you finally stop checking your phone.

Why this works

Studies show that short, frequent breaks are more effective at reducing stress than one long vacation. A 2023 University of Cape Town survey found that people who took regular 3-day getaways reported 40% higher levels of well-being than those who waited for annual holidays. It’s not about the distance. It’s about the shift.

You’re not escaping your life. You’re remembering what it feels like to live in it - fully, slowly, and without a schedule.

Next steps

Start small. This weekend, pick one place you’ve never visited within a 4-hour drive. Book a simple place to stay. Pack light. Leave your laptop. Turn off notifications. Drive without a playlist for the first 30 minutes - just listen to the road.

When you come back, you won’t feel like you’ve been on vacation. You’ll feel like you’ve been home - just in a different version of it.