Top 10 things to do in Cape Town this summer
It’s officially summertime in Cape Town and we couldn’t be more excited! There truly is nothing quite like celebrating the summer season in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. From stunning summer weather, late sunsets, blissful beach days and an endless variety of thrilling experiences, summer in Cape Town is one great adventure. To ensure you have the very best experience, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 things to do in Cape Town this summer. This is the ultimate Cape Town summer bucket-list – So you better be ready to tick off some cool experiences and unforgettable adventures!
#1 ENJOY A BEACH DAY
It’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy a blissful beach day on one of Cape Town’s beautiful beaches, because there’s no time quite like beach time in Cape Town! Spending the day on one of the Mother City’s stunning beaches is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Cape Town this summer. There is nothing quite like being sun-kissed, beached-out and salty-haired during summer. But getting to do it while spending the day on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world is pure bliss.
Besides the fact that Cape Town’s beaches are known to be some of the most beautiful in the world, each one has something unique and exciting to offer. The Mother City truly has the perfect beach suited to every occasion. Whether you’re looking to have some beach fun in the sun, sunbathe, go sandcastle building, learn to surf or enjoy a sunset stroll or beach sundowner, summer in Cape Town is the perfect time to do it.
Here are some of our favourite beaches that all deserve to be on your Cape Town summer bucket-list: Camps Bay, Clifton, Muizenberg Beach, Bloubergstrand, Llandudno, Bakoven, Glen Beach, Boulders Beach, Big Bay, Oudekraal Beach, Long Beach in Kommetjie, Noordhoek Beach and Water’s Edge.
#2 KIRSTENBOSCH SUMMER SUNSET CONCERT
In Cape Town summer season is concert season, and we love it! The Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert Series has fast become a real summer staple in the Mother City. Undoubtedly making it one of the top things to do in Cape Town this summer. And definitely one of the most fun too! There’s nothing like celebrating the vibrant summer season than to the cool sounds of some of the best local and international music acts. Getting to do it in one of the most spectacular natural gems in Cape Town, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, just makes it all the more special.
November every year marks the start of the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert Series. Which takes place every Sunday between November and April. Besides being one of the most sought-after summer experiences, it’s also one of the best ways to experience music in the Mother City. The best thing is, the whole family is invited to join in on the summer concert fun! Pack your picnic basket and blanket and gather your friends and family, it’s time to enjoy a spectacular evening listening to some of the best music South Africa has to offer in the shade of the magnificent Table Mountain.
Have a look at our Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts Line Up in 2019/2020 for more details on concerts dates, performance line-ups, ticket prices and how to go about booking your ticket.
#3 GALILEO OPEN AIR CINEMA
Known as Cape Town’s first and finest outdoor movie experience, the Galileo Open Air Cinema is adding a whole lot of fun and excitement to our summer season. This makes watching an open-air screening one of the top things to do during summer in Cape Town for the whole family. Running from the 16th of October 2019 – 25 April 2020 with screenings from Wednesday – Saturday and selected Sundays, the Galileo Open Air Cinema will be showcasing some of the best blockbuster hits right throughout summer.
Besides having the cool opportunity of watching some of your all-time favourite movies under the Cape Town night sky, you’re encouraged to bring your picnic basket and blanket along too. That’s not all! If you thought pairing a smash hit movie with a picturesque venue was enough, The Galileo is taking it to a whole new level for their eighth season. They’ve added an incredible mini-market to every show as well as an array of giant lawn games. You are thus invited to enjoy a fun and memorable evening with your whole family in some of the most magical destinations around Cape Town.
Some of the Galileo Open Air Cinema venues include: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, V&A Waterfront, Meerendal Wine Estate, Steenberg Farm and a selection of some of the most magnificent Wine Estates across the Cape Winelands.
Contact Information: 071 471 8728 | [email protected]
Have a look at our Galileo Open Air Cinema 2019/2020 Movie Line-up to find out more about the Galileo’s screening schedule this summer season as well as their ticket prices.
#4 AFRICAN PENGUIN COLONY AT BOULDERS BEACH
Are you ready to see the coolest kids on the Cape Town block up close and personal in their natural habitat? A visit to the famous Boulders Beach is one thrilling experience that should be on everyone’s Cape Town summer bucket-list. Home to our favourite Cape Town ocean locals, the African Penguins, Boulders Beach has fast become one of the Mother City’s most beloved attractions and must visit destinations.
Besides being able to see the African Penguin Colony in their natural habitat from the penguin viewing site, you can also choose to spend the day with them on the beach. Boulders Beach boasts a private paying beach where the entrance fee forms part of a conservation project. This will enable you to not only spend the day on the beach with these tuxedo cuties, but enjoy a dip in the ocean with them too. How cool is that? This makes a visit to Boulders Beach and the African Penguin Colony one of the best things to do in Cape Town this summer.
Entrance fees for the Boulders Beach Penguin Viewing Site:
- South African Citizens and Residents (with ID): R40 per adult per day | R20 per child per day
- SADC Nationals (with passport): R80 per adult per day | R40 per adult per day
- Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors): R160 per adult per day | R80 per child per day
#5 SURF AT MUIZENBERG SURFER’S CORNER
Are you keen to learn to surf the Cape Town waves like a real surfing pro? Then this exciting summer experience is perfect for you! Learning to surf is definitely one of the top things to do in Cape Town this summer. And certainly one of the most fun and thrilling too! There is no better place to do it than the famous Cape Town surfing spot, Muizenberg’s Surfers Corner. To make it even better, the whole family is invited to join in on the surfing fun and games! Whether you’re young or young at heart, Cape Town’s summer season is the perfect time to explore your adventurous side and try something new and exhilarating. Learning to surf is without a doubt an exciting summer experience you can’t miss out on!
What are you waiting for? Go surf the cool Cape Town waves and tick something truly thrilling off your Cape Town summer bucket-list! Besides being one of the best places to learn how to surf for surfing first-timers, Muizenberg Beach is also one of Cape Town’s top Blue Flag swimming beaches. It’s the perfect place to enjoy tons of beach fun in the sun this summer.
#6 GO MARKET HOPPING
Are you ready to go on the ultimate market hopping adventure through the city? Cape Town is at the very top of its market game and there’s no better time to explore it than during summer! Cape Town’s range of vibrant markets have fast become the ultimate hubs for food, art, culture, entertainment and everything in between. Which makes going on the ultimate market hopping adventure through the city one of the top things to do during summer in Cape Town. The fact that there is such a wide variety of unique markets to choose from, means there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Besides great food and drinks, Cape Town’s exciting selection of markets are known for their awesome live music performances as well as a wide range of activities and experiences that can be enjoyed by every member of the family. Going to any of Cape Town’s vibrant markets is a great weekend or weekday adventure for the whole family.
Here are some of our favourite markets that deserve to be on your Cape Town summer bucket-list: The V&A Food Market, The Watershed at the V&A, The Bay Harbour Market, Oranjezicht City Farmer’s Market, Root 44 Market, Cape Point Vineyards Thursday Night Market, the Old Biscuit Mill and Neighbourgoods Market.
#7 EXPLORE THE COOL WINE BAR SCENE
Its time to explore Cape Town’s cool wine bar scene, because in Cape Town anytime is wine time, especially summertime! There is no denying that Cape Town locals love their wine. We love it that much that we choose to celebrate every occasion, event or celebration with a glass of exceptional Cape vino in hand. But during summer, the Mother City certainly steps her wine game up a notch and you can’t help but want to join in on all the wine fun Cape Town has to offer. Especially if you’re a head-over-heels wine lover at heart!
Home to the largest wine producing region in Africa, the Western Cape is any wine lover’s dream come true. Besides incredible wine routes and stunning Wine Estates, the Mother City has taken her wine love affair a step further with a variety of unique and exciting wine bars sweeping the city. What better time than summertime to explore Cape Town’s cool and captivating wine bar scene? Happy wine bar hopping and wine drinking Cape Town wine lovers!
Here are some of our favourite wine bars that you absolutely have to add to your Cape Town summer bucket-list: Openwine, Publik Wine Bar, La Parada Tapas and Wine Bar, Frogitt and Vonkel, Grub and Vine, Tamboers Winkel, Proof Wine Bar, Montegray and & Independents and Bartinney Wine & Champagne Bar.
#8 GO SUNSET CHASING
In Cape Town going on the ultimate sunset chasing adventure is one of our favourite things to do, especially during summer! The Mother City is widely known and celebrated for her spectacular sherbet coloured sunsets. Painting the sky in a beautiful celebration of colour that will undoubtedly sweep you off your feet. It’s no surprise that going sunset chasing has fast become one of our favourite local past-times and things to do. Especially during summer in Cape Town!
Whether you choose to watch the Mother City sun go down from a mountain top, beach boulder, rooftop bar, beachfront sundowner spot or the stunning Cape Winelands, it promises to be spectacular. The fact that the sun sets as late as 8:30pm during Cape Town’s summer season means you have a whole lot more time to go on a sunset chasing adventure across the Western Cape. If you’re looking to make it extra special, why not pack a picnic basket and some sundowners and watch the sun go down in true Cape Town style.
Some of our favourite sunset spots that absolutely deserve a prime spot on your Cape Town summer bucket-list includes: Lions Head, Kloof Corner, Bloubergstrand, Table Mountain, Signal Hill, Camps Bay Tidal Pools, Llandudno, Victoria Road, Chapman’s Peak Drive and the Clifton Beach Boulders.
#9 GO HIKING
You know what they say, when in doubt, hike it out. Well, they might not say that, but in Cape Town, we definitely do. Cape Town is known as one of the most beautiful and exciting cities in the world. There is no better way to explore all the scenic beauty and stunning landscapes it has to offer than by going on the ultimate summer hiking adventure. The Mother City is home to such an extensive and exciting variety of hiking trails, which means everyone can join in on the hiking fun regardless of your fitness or experience level. Put your hiking gear on, get out there and get hiking! It promises to be well worth the effort. Plus, the views are truly spectacular!
Here are some of our favourite hiking trails to add to your Cape Town summer bucket-list: Lions Head, Platteklip Gorge, Skeleton Gorge, India Venster, The Pipe Track, Kasteelpoort, Silvermine Nature Reserve. Devil’s Peak, Woodstock Caves.
If you’re however looking to take on the all-mighty Table Mountain, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Hiking Skeleton Gorge as well as our Ultimate Guide to Hiking Platteklip Gorge. Thereby you will be fully prepared to conquer the tall standing giant of the Cape Town skyline, Table Mountain.
#10 TICK AN ADVENTURE OF YOUR BUCKET-LIST
Step outside of your comfort zone and tick a thrilling adventure experience off your Cape Town bucket-list! Besides being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the Mother City is every bit as bold, adventurous and daring as she is stunning. She’s certainly not afraid to step out on the ledge and let her inner dare devil run free. So, why should you be? There truly is no better time than summertime to tick an exciting adventure experience off your Cape Town bucket-list.
From paragliding, kloofing, kayaking with the African Penguins and abseiling down Table Mountain to skydiving, SUPping, wind surfing, sandboarding and snorkelling with Cape Fur Seals, there is a thrilling experience for every adventurous soul. You better pack your sense of adventure on your summer trip to Cape Town, it’s the perfect time to let your inner thrill seeker run wild and free. Trust us, you definitely won’t regret a single second of it!
