Summer’s here and you’re ready to get out and explore! Here are our top tips to survive and thrive the summer in the Mother City.
Cape Town’s summers are usually dry and often windy. The average day temperature during summer is a balmy 23 degrees Celsius, but it can often get as high as 35 degrees Celsius and if a Berg wind blows (from the inland Karoo desert), you’ll see temperatures soar closer to 40 degrees Celsius. Known as the Cape Doctor, the wind blows most during January and February.
The African sun can be harsh, so be sure the apply sunscreen before you leave your accommodation, and reapply throughout the day. And, don’t forget your hat!
Cape Town is recovering from a drought and while Water Restrictions have lessened, we do urge all locals and visitors to save as much as they can.
Cape Point
There are few things as exhilarating as standing at the base of a beautiful, 150-year-old lighthouse, perched precariously high above the swirling Atlantic Ocean, and knowing that you’re at the most southwestern tip of Africa.
Things to bring:
- Sunblock, hat and a jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes and a sense of adventure
- Water, sunglasses and some spending money
- And don’t forget your camera!
How to get to Cape Point:
Cape Point is about 70km from the CBD. Getting there by car will take about 1h20 depending on traffic. If you don’t have your own car, here is a list of ways you can get to Cape Point:
The Cape Point Explorer
The Cape Point Explorer red sightseeing bus offers a full day’s excursion with an English-speaking guide aboard a luxury air-conditioned coach. Highlights include:
- Drive through Muizenberg
- Drive through Fish Hoek
- Visit to Boulders Beach (entry for your own account)
- Visit to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point (entry included)
- Take a ride up the funicular (tickets not included)
For more information and to book tickets, click here
Private tours
There are many tour operators that offer half- and full-day Cape Point tours. Find reputable options here.
Kirstenbosch Garden
There are few places in the Mother City as tranquil as Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and at least once during your visit, when you stop to catch your breath and absorb the splendour of your surroundings, you’ll wonder how it’s possible that the bustling, buzzing city of Cape Town is just a stone’s throw away.
Things to bring:
- Sunblock and hat
- Comfortable walking shoes and a sense of adventure
- Water, sunglasses and some spending money
- Picnic blanket and your picnic basket
- And don’t forget your camera!
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
Meet with friends and family, gather your picnic baskets and blankets to enjoy the floral heritage and the mountain and let the music end your weekend on a high note. Arrive early so that you can enjoy the grounds, flowers and nature before the gates open at 4 pm.
Round out your Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert by bringing the following things:
- Picnic Blanket
- Picnic Basket filled with your favourite things (don’t forget a bottle of Groot Constantia wine)
- Sunblock, hat, water and your dancing shoes
You can also pre-order your picnic from Moyo Kirstenbosch. Selected offerings packaged for individuals and couples. There is a picnic to match all your requirements, including vegetarian, pescatarian & gluten free options. Go here for more info.
Table Mountain Cableway
Table Mountain is among the most popular attractions in the world, and it is no surprise that it holds the title as one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
Tips on how to skip the ticket queue:
- Check the weather in advance by phoning the Weatherline on +27 (0)21 424 8181
- To avoid queues pre-book your tickets online on Webtickets.
Things to bring:
- Sunblock, hat and a jacket – temperatures can drop at the top at any time
- Comfortable walking shoes and a sense of adventure
- Water, sunglasses and some spending money
- And don’t forget your camera!
Locals can take advantage of the Cableway’s awe-inspiring half-price Sunset Special it is available from November to 19 December 2018, and from 3 January until 28 February 2019 return tickets are half price after 6 pm.
Locals only: Your valid SA ID gets you 50% off the Cableway ticket, a five-minute ride in a state-of-the-art cable car, and access to the summit of Table Mountain and the opportunity to see the most spectacular sunset views of Cape Town.
Take your SA ID along to the Ticket Office any time of the day to purchase your half-price tickets and use them from 6 pm onwards. You can also book your half-price Sunset Special tickets online at www.tablemountain.net.
Costs: Adults pay half price, at R145.00 per ticket. Children pay half price at R72.50 per ticket (Children do not need an ID number to qualify for this special).
Sunset Special Tips:
- Remember your SA ID
- Purchase tickets at the Ticket Office any time of the day to purchase your half-price tickets and use them from 6 pm onwards. You can also book your half-price Sunset Special tickets online at www.tablemountain.net.
- Please note that it is not advisable to use the free park-and-ride MyCiTi bus service for the Sunset Special, as the bus service runs until 7 pm only
- Please remember a warm jacket
Robben Island
From the moment you arrive at the humble island, just a short ferry ride from the V&A Waterfront, you’ll feel the impact of this World Heritage Site. A former inmate will guide you while on the island, and you’ll receive unparalleled insight into the significant role that each of the Robben Island’s inmates collectively played throughout apartheid.
Pre-book your tickets via Webtickets.
Things to bring:
- Sunblock, hat and a jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes and a sense of adventure
- Water, sunglasses and some spending money
- And don’t forget your camera!
Robben Island Tours
The standard tour to Robben Island is 3.5 hours long, including the two half-hour ferry rides. The ferries leave at 9 am, 11 am and 1 pm (winter); 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm (summer), weather permitting. The ferry ride is half an hour each way. from Nelson Mandela Gateway, at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
V & A Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront always pulls out all the stops when it comes to entertaining their visitors and they have a full line-up of activities for the whole family. In December they will be extending their shopping hours until 10 pm, giving you more time to get that perfect festive season gift.
Galileo Open-Air Cinema
At The Galileo, when the sun sets the stars really come out, with a glittering line-up of romantic comedies, cult classics, musicals, adventure sports and documentaries that let you cuddle up and be entertained.
Buy your tickets here: http://thegalileo.co.za/buy-tickets/
Remember to bring:
- Your own picnic blanket and cushions.
- A warm jacket
- You may bring your own picnic baskets, however, there will be a variety of food and drinks for sale at the venue
You are able to rent comfortable backrests once you arrive or you can pre-book when you book your ticket.
Groot Constantia
What awaits you at the oldest wine producing estate in South Africa, is a captivating culmination of South African heritage, delectable dining at two restaurants, a museum, art gallery, and, of course, an award-winning selection of wines, all available for tasting.
Things to bring:
- Sunblock and hat
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Water, sunglasses and some spending money
- A designated driver (arrive by Uber, Taxi, sober friend or hop on the Cape Town Red Bus)
Visitors Route Experience
Enjoy the new Visitor Route Experience where one ticket gives you entrance into the Manor House Museum, original Cloete Cellar, a Cellar Tour, Wine Tasting and Spiegelau Crystal Wine Glass. The Groot Constantia Visitors Route Experience is one of the best ways to explore the estate.
1 ticket gets you:
Entrance to the Groot Constantia Manor House
Entrance to the Cloete Cellar
Wine Tasting
Momento Crystal Glass
Modern Day Cellar Tour – self-guided audio
Vineyard tour – self-guided audio
Explore the vineyards and production cellar with their new FREE VoiceMap audio tours and FREE WiFi.
Contact: +27 21 794-5128 | enquiries@grootconstantia.co.za | www.grootconstantia.co.za
Open 7 days a week | Time: 10:00 – 17:00 | Venue: Manor House | Cost: R105 per person or Visitors Route Experience Ticket + Chocolate & Wine Pairing: R155 per person.
Share your top tips with us!
Connect with us via our Cape Town Big 6 Facebook or Twitter page. Better yet, snap an Instagram shot of your favourite outdoor moment and tag @CapeTownBig6 #CTBig6
ONE DESTINATION, SIX UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES
There is no one way to explore all of the Cape Town Big 6, and much of what makes each of them so special is the variety of things to see and do at each. So if possible, take your time to explore each of the city’s most visited tourist attractions in as much depth as possible – as any local will tell you, you can spend a lifetime at each of the Big 6 and still not tire of them. Find the 3 and 4 day itineraries and tips here.