Summer weekend in Cape Town
How locals do summer in Cape Town — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Cape Town
V&A Waterfront
FamilyWaterfront
Working harbour, Zeitz Mocaa, food market and the Robben Island ferry.
Table Mountain Cableway
OutdoorsCity Bowl
5-minute rotating cable car to the flat summit — book early, go on a windless day.
Camps Bay Beach
OutdoorsAtlantic Seaboard
Palm-lined Bondi-of-Africa with the Twelve Apostles as a backdrop.
Cape Point
OutdoorsCape Peninsula
Day-trip to the meeting of two oceans — funicular, lighthouse, baboon sightings.
Constantia Wine Route
Food & DrinkSouthern Suburbs
Five 300-year-old estates inside the city — sauvignon blanc with views of False Bay.
Where to eat
Eastern Food Bazaar
$Indian / Halal · City Bowl
Cavernous food hall — biryani, dosa and bunny chow for under R100.
Kloof Street House
$$$Bistro · Kloof Street
Victorian house with twinkling garden, steaks and a serious gin list.
La Colombe
$$$$Contemporary · Constantia
World's-50-Best alum — forest-canopy dining and a famous fish 'tin' course.
Mzansi
$$Township African · Langa
Family-run Xhosa dining with live marimbas — book the long table.
The Test Kitchen Fledgelings
$$$$Modern South African · Woodstock
Luke Dale-Roberts' tasting-menu lab — book a month out.
Live & on stage
Cape Town Jazz Festival
CTICC · Mar 28–29 · Jazz
Galileo Open Air Cinema
Kirstenbosch / V&A · Nov – Apr · Cinema / Picnic
Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts
Kirstenbosch Gardens · Nov – Apr Sun · Picnic / Live
Rocking the Daisies (nearby)
Cloof Wine Estate · Oct 3–5 · Indie / Electronic
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Table Mountain Cableway, Camps Bay Beach, V&A Waterfront. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Cape Town and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.