It’s holiday time in Cape Town and there’s no better way to celebrate it than by enjoying some of the most exciting activities, experiences, sites and adventures the city has to offer. The fact that the Mother City’s summer season is characterised by beautiful warm days and stunning landscapes, means it’s the perfect time to go outside and explore. The best thing is, there is something for every member of the family to enjoy.
In order to ensure you have the ultimate holiday experience, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best ways to spend the holidays in Cape Town. What are you waiting for? Go out there and have some fun in the Cape Town holiday sun.
1. Attend a Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert with the whole family
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Nothing says the Cape Town holiday season is finally here quite like the start of the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert Series. Besides, there’s no better way to spend the holidays than to the sounds of some of the best local and international music acts in the shade of Table Mountain in the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Every year, the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert Series take place every Sunday between November and April.
With an incredible jam-packed line-up to look forward to this year, including a special New Year’s Eve concert celebration, attending one of Kirstenbosch’s Summer Concerts is undoubtedly one of the top things to do during your Cape Town holiday. Plus, you get to take your picnic basket and blanket along too. It’s the perfect holiday activity for the whole family.
2. Enjoy an outdoor movie experience at the Galileo Open Air Cinema
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Known as the first and finest outdoor movie experience in Cape Town, attending a screening at the Galileo Open Air Cinema has become one of the best things to do in Cape Town for locals and travellers alike. The fact that the whole family is invited to join in on the outdoor cinema fun, undoubtedly makes it one of the best ways to spend your holidays in Cape Town.
Running from the 16th of October 2019 – 25 April 2020 with screenings from Wednesday – Saturday and selected Sundays, the Galileo Open Air Cinema boasts a jam-packed line-up of blockbuster hits. All of which can be enjoyed in some of the most beautiful settings in Cape Town.
In addition to a bucket-list worthy outdoor movie experience under the stars, the Galileo is taking it to a whole new level for their eighth season. They’ve added an amazing mini-market to every show as well as an array of giant lawn games. Ensuring that tons of fun will be had by every member of the family. The Galileo will also be hosting a very special Christmas movie screening on the 25th of December, featuring tons of magic and Christmas joy for everyone looking for something exciting to do once the sun sets on Christmas day.
3. Attend one of Cape Town’s many Christmas celebrations & events
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Christmas is around the corner and if you’re celebrating Christmas in Cape Town this year you are in for quite a treat. This is because no one celebrates Christmas quite like the Mother City. Besides the festive spirit and lively energy that fills the air, Cape Town is known for its incredible Christmas events, parades and light shows. This means the whole family can also join in on the Cape Town festive fun.
From seeing the famous Adderley Street Christmas Lights in the city centre, attending a Carols by Candlelight show at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and enjoying all the festive season events and shows at the V&A Waterfront to visiting some of Cape Town’s top Christmas markets and seeing the iconic Moet and Chandon Golden Christmas tree at V&A Waterfront’s Silo District, Cape Town’s festive season is filled with incredible events for the whole family to enjoy.
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4. Enjoy a beautiful beach day on one of Cape Town’s stunning beaches
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What would a Cape Town holiday be without a visit to some of its most beautiful beaches? Summer in Cape Town is known for its stunning summer weather and late sunsets. There’s therefore no better way to spend the holidays in Cape Town than on one of its stunning beaches. Home to some of the most magnificent beaches in the world, spending a day on the beach with the family is pure bliss. The fact that there is such an incredible variety of beaches to choose from means there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
From famous beach stunners like Camps Bay, Clifton Beach, Boulders Beach and Muizenberg to hidden beach gems like Bakoven, Glen Beach, Llandudno and Water’s Edge, the Mother City has no shortage of incredible beaches. Whether you’re looking to fill your Cape Town holiday with fun-filled family beach days, sunset beach strolls, laid-back beach chilling or a mixture of them all, Cape Town’s beautiful beaches welcomes you with open arms.
5. Spend a day in the Cape Winelands
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Home to the largest wine producing region in Africa, the Western Cape is any wine lover’s dream come true. There’s nothing better than exploring all the stunning Wine Estates and renowned wine routes it has to offer than during your Cape Town holiday.
In addition to exceptional wine, the stunning Cape Winelands is also known for its magnificent scenery, indulgent food and wine pairing experiences, top-tier culinary pursuits and exciting variety of activities.
If you’re looking to enjoy the ultimate Cape Winelands experience, going on our Cape Winelands Full Day Tour or Electric Bike Winelands half day tour is the perfect holiday activity for you.
6. Take a trip to the top of Table Mountain on an Aerial Cableway ride
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Taking a trip to the top of Table Mountain and looking out over the glorious Mother City from above is undoubtedly one of top things to do during your Cape Town holiday. Declared one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, witnessing the awe-inspiring beauty of Table Mountain up close is a bucket-list worthy experience everyone should enjoy when visiting Cape Town.
But, there truly is nothing like the view from above. By making use of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway the whole family can enjoy an exciting ride to the top of this iconic landmark. Besides spectacular views, there is also a restaurant, café, gift shop and a variety of exciting walking routes that can be enjoyed at the summit.
If you’re a bit of an adventurous soul, you can also choose to hike up and down the mountain by means of its various hiking trails instead of taking the Aerial Cableway. However, if you’re looking to add even more thrill to your Table Mountain adventure, our Table Mountain Hike and Abseil experience is perfect for you.
7. Visit the vibrant V&A Waterfront
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The vibrant V&A Waterfront in the heart of the Mother City is not only one of Cape Town’s top attractions, but one of the best places to visit on your holiday in Cape Town. The V&A Waterfront has established itself as the ultimate hub of food, culture, art, shopping, music and entertainment. Divided up into five shopping districts: Victoria Wharf, the Watershed, The Alfred Mall and Pierhead, The Clock Tower, and Breakwater Point, the waterfront has an endless variety of things to explore and experience.
In addition to being one of the leading shopping districts in Cape Town, home to over 450 stores, the V&A Waterfront also boasts an incredible variety of restaurants, bars, markets, landmarks, art, music and cultural experiences as well as adventure activities. Not to mention the fact that its a working harbour and showcases some of the most magnificent harbour front views in the city.
The Two Ocean Aquarium, Springbok Experience Rugby Museum, the Clock Tower, Scratch Patch, the Cape Wheel and various ocean adventures and boat rides are just some of the exciting activities that can be found in and around the Waterfront.
8. Tick a thrilling adventure off your Cape Town bucket-list
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The holidays is the perfect time to tick a thrilling adventure off your bucket-list. And there’s no better place to do it than in the adventure capital of Africa, the Western Cape.
Home to a variety of natural wonders and landscapes, Cape Town boasts an incredible range of adventure experiences for every thrill seeker at heart. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the ultimate adventure holiday in Cape Town or merely want to add a bit of thrill to your trip, the Mother City has the perfect adventure activity for you.
From shark cage diving, snorkelling with Cape Fur Seals, kayaking with African Penguins or paragliding from Lions Head or Signal Hill to learning to surf, going hiking, enjoying a water bike adventure or cycling around the city, Cape Town has something for everyone to enjoy.
9. Visit some of Cape Town’s incredible markets
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What better way to spend the holidays in Cape Town than by visiting some of its incredible markets? Boasting a wide variety of vibrant markets, spending the day at one of the Mother City’s amazing markets has fast become one of the top things to do for locals and travellers alike.
Besides incredible food and drinks stalls, Cape Town’s markets are also known for their live entertainment, incredible arts and crafts, variety of gift shopping opportunities and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Some of the top markets to visit are the Bay Harbour Market in Hout Bay, Root 44 Market, the Old Biscuit Mill, the V&A Food Market, the Watershed at the V&A, the Neighbourgoods Market, Cape Point Vineyards Thursday Night Market and the Oranjezicht City Farmer’s Market.
10. Enjoy a holiday picnic at one of Cape Town’s top picnic spots
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Holidays are made for fun, family and making fantastic memories you’ll remember for many years to come. And what better way to combine them all then by enjoying a fun-filled family picnic in one of Cape Town’s top picnic spots. Home to an endless variety of natural wonders, parks, nature reserves and beaches, the Mother City has no shortage of incredible picnic spots to choose from. Here are some of the best picnic spots in Cape Town that are perfect for enjoying a fun day out with the whole family: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Newlands Forest, Tokai Forest, the Company Gardens, Cape Point Vineyards, Silvermine Nature Reserves and Cape Town’s beautiful beaches.
Known as one of the most beautiful and exciting cities in the world, Cape Town will undoubtedly fill your holiday with tons of beauty, adventure, fun and excitement. And the fact that you can experience it all with your friends and family, just makes it all the more special. Don’t wait another second and make the most of your holiday in Cape Town by enjoying everything it has to offer.
Planning on spending this holiday season in Cape Town? Learn more about the Mother City, how to get around, things to do in Cape Town, and more from our blog. We can help you find the perfect place to stay. Get in touch if you’d like help finding accommodation or Cape Town tours to indulge in when you are around.
