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Winter in Cape Town consists of cold winds, moody skies, shorter days and longer nights, leading locals into a hibernation mode which could last for up to three months. Capetonians don’t have the best track record when it comes to dealing with winter. At the first sign of rain we forget how to drive, cancel our plans at the last minute, and we don’t leave our home without our layers of clothing.
Well, attention, people of Cape Town: winter really isn’t so bad and you’re going to have to leave the house sooner or later. The Mother City is filled with fun activities and attractions throughout the year for everyone to enjoy, places like the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain and Boulders Beach, just to name a few. Now, if you’ve read this far, the chances are you’re probably interested in knowing more about all the cool things to do during the winter season.
Below are a few ideas which are guaranteed to make you want to step out of the house and enjoy everything on offer in the Mother City.
Do some whale watching
Whale watching is truly amazing during the winter season. These magnificent creatures usually appear from July up until December. Our Cape coastline offers many fantastic land based viewing opportunities. Every year, southern right whales take a vacation in Cape waters, treating Cape Town locals to a beautiful display of breaching, spouting and spyhopping. False Bay is the best place close to town to see them. Opt for the higher vantage points along the False Bay coastline such as Boyes Drive between St James
and Kalk Bay to see these wonderful sea creatures.
Have a five-star meal
If we’re honest, aren’t winter foods the best kind of foods? Think stews, soups and curries – the types that warm you up from the inside. Winter is an excellent time to have a five-star meal as many local restaurants have winter menu specials going during this time. Tobago’s at Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, for example, has a curry and wine pairing special going at the moment. For R265/person, guests can indulge in a delectable curry (choice of chicken, lamb and vegan) that is perfectly paired with a glass of Waterford wine – a combination that is guaranteed to warm you up. To book or for more information please contact the hotel on 27 (0)21 441 3000 or capetown.foodandbeverage@radissonblu.com
Want to head out but not sure where or what to do?
Just because it’s colder doesn’t mean you can’t get out and about . Use this time to explore some local neighbourhoods – there are so many different areas, neighbourhoods and hangouts to get to know! Cape Town Tourism has a number of different video guides that give useful insights into what to do in various neighbourhoods that won’t break the bank. Thes pocket-friendly activities show you how to get the best out of an area for only R150 per person for the entire day!
How about some indoor activities?
As if you haven’t been indoors at home enough, don’t let the weather keep you from exploring your city. There are so many things to do around Cape Town that get you out of the house, but also keep you out of the cold. The Two Oceans Aquarium, for example, is an excellent place that the whole family will enjoy, or take them to the Cape Town Science Centre for some learning and fun all at once. If you’d rather stay indoors at home, bring the ocean experience to them! Justin Blake is a shark scientist with the #1 bestselling wildlife Online Experience on Airbnb. In his famous Experience, guests learn how science and technology is used to uncover the secret lives of sharks, and Justin shares some of his favourite stories, images and videos taken by himself and his team. Money from the bookings is directly donated to RockHopper and the conservation of sharks. If you’d like to learn more, you can book the Experience here.
Enjoy some time at home
Once you’ve explored all the attractions mentioned above, you’ll probably be tired and would want to head on home for some down time. But this doesn’t mean the fun has come to an end. Why not update your bedroom in order to enjoy your days at home to the fullest. With Teljoy, you can rent-to-own a brand new bedroom suite, a new TV set and a surround sound system. The best part about this is that you have the option to take ownership of all of the items after the predetermined rental period.