Winter in Cape Town

A comprehensive guide to finding fun adventures and outings in Cape Town this winter.

I am a sunshine seeker, lover of spending time outdoors and adventuring in nature. The options of things that I enjoy doing are quite limited by the cold, wind and rain we experience during the winter months in Cape Town. Usually my family tries to get away during these winter months, escaping to the European sunshine or heading up country for some drier weather. Last winter, however, I was in Cape Town for all the wet weather save a week when we went up to the Kgalagadi. I spent a lot of my time feeling frustrated at the lack of things to do while it poured with rain outside. But, having the adventurous spirit that I do, I didn’t let that dampen my attempts at finding some fun adventures to embark on.

I discovered a host of new things to do while the weather is a bit grim and have decided to share those all here. Some of these experiences are indoors making them the perfect outing for a rainy day. However, it doesn’t rain everyday in Cape Town during winter so I have included some other outdoor adventures that are still enjoyable in the slightly chilly weather. I hope this gives you some inspiration to get out there and do something fun among all the series watching and booking reading this winter.

TO DO ON A RAINY DAY

• Visit the Two Oceans Aquarium, V&A Waterfront

The aquarium is the perfect rainy day outing for all the beach and ocean lovers out there. You may not be swimming in the water but you will be able to admire the incredible creatures that inhibit our beautiful oceans. Take a walk through this underwater experience seeing seahorses, turtles, rays, sharks, clownfish and many other brightly coloured marine creatures. Prices: Adults R185, Children 14-17 R140, Children 3-13 R90.
And if you’re a winter baby then you get free entrance on your birthday!

• Visit the Zeits MOCCA Museum

Visiting the Zeits MOCCA Museum is free for South African residents every Wednesday. Trade the gray skies and bucketing rain for incredible artwork celebrating Africa and all of our incredible local artists. The exhibits are changed regularly, ensuring an exciting new experience each visit.

• Play some fun board games at Big Box cafe

Big Box cafe is the perfect outing for a group of friends who want to hang out on a rainy day. Grab yourselves a coffee or hot chocolate and take your pick from a wide variety of fun and unique board games. Their selection of games is expansive and you’ll definitely find something you haven’t played before. It’s a really fun way to spend the afternoon!

• Get creative at the Clay Cafe

The Clay Cafe is the perfect spot for a catch up with the girls while letting your artistic side come out to play. Get creative while staying cosy! Take your pick from a selection of mugs, bowls, plates, soap dishes, platters and jugs. You’ll pay a base fee of R30 for the painting utensils, your choice of 3 colours and the firing. The cost thereafter is dependent on your choice of crockery. They have a lovely menu for breakfasts and lunches as well as a delicious selection of cakes and bakes.

• Go wine tasting

Most wine farms have an indoor tasting facility meaning that you can still experience the beautiful vineyards and wine farms even if it is raining. Constantia is probably the closest area to taste wine with the lovely farms Beau Constantia, Eagle’s Nest, Klein Constantia, Constantia Glen, Groot Constantia, Silvermist, Constantia Uitsig, Buitenverwachting, Steenberg and Constantia Royale. Alternatively you could head to Cape Point Vineyards in Noordhoek. Or you could venture out to Franschhoek or Stellenbosch. There are too many wonderful winefarms out there to even begin to list!

 

TO DO ON A GREY DAY

• Go for a hike

The hiking trails in Cape Town are endless. We are so spoilt for beautiful mountain walks and panoramic views. Last year I put together a blog post on my top 10 hikes in Cape Town . Go check that out for some of the best walks in the Mother City. Hiking is a lovely thing to do in winter as you can stay cool while exercising and enjoy the fresh air. Many mountain walks boast beautiful waterfalls after the winter rainfall and the eerie winter mist adds another element to your everyday hike.

• Take a day trip to Babylonstoren and go cheese tasting at Fairview

Babylonstoren is located just before Franschhoek and is a stunning farm filled with organically grown fruits and veggies. The veggie patches are artistically designed and as you walk through the groves of fruit trees you will feel a sense of calm and peace. There’s something really special about these gardens. Be sure to lie down on the chamomile lawn and walk through the pumpkin snail arch. The veggies are all seasonal meaning that you’ll have a different experience here in winter to that of your summer time visit.
Entrance to the gardens costs R10 per person. There is a lovely restaurant in the greenhouse serving scones and sandwiches. For more info on Babylonstoren read my blog post: Babylonstoren, Franschhoek.

Why not combine your trip out here with a delicious cheese tasting at Fairview farm. For R20 you can taste a selection of cheese and for R40 you can pair this with a wine tasting. It’s a fun thing to do while in the area.

• Take a day trip to the snow in Matroosberg

I’ve just written a whole blog post on how to go about planning a day trip to see the snow in these majestic mountains just outside of Ceres. Pack your family or friends into a car for an epic road trip to a winter wonderland. Spend the day throwing snowballs, making snowmen and snow angels. It promises to be an amazing winter day trip!

TO DO ON A WINDY DAY

• Go for a drive along Chapman’s Peak

Escape the wind by staying in your car and admiring the gorgeous ocean views Chapman’s Peak drive has to offer.

• Take a drive along the Southern Peninsula

Starting in Noordhoek you can drive along to Kommetjie, past Misty Cliffs, through Scarborough, past Cape Point and Smitswinkel, along to Miller’s Point and through Simon’s Town before ending for a lunch in Kalk Bay. You’ll get to see the gorgeous views without needing to face the howling gale.

• Visit Cape Point Nature Reserve

Enjoy the dramatic views that Cape Point boasts even on a windy winter’s day. You’ll be spending most of your time in your car and otherwise can brave the blustering wind to walk up to the lighthouse and enjoy panoramic views.
Prices: R76 for South Africans.

I hope this guide has been comprehensive and you enjoy exploring Cape Town this winter. Another thing to note is many restaurants in Cape Town have really great winter specials. Cape Town blogger, Tails of a Mermaid, has put together an awesome blog on the best restaurants specials this winter. Be sure to check it out!