Back in September I posted my Cape Town Summer Wishlist, which features a few things I’ve never done in my own home town before, but am dying to do this summer. It was so well received that I thought I’d put together a list of five more great things to in and around the Mother City this holiday season, especially for locals.
Cause we could easily spend all of summer wishing away the heat and the traffic, when we should be spending it soaking up the sun and taking advantage of this incredible place we get to call home! We’ve got loads of time in summer, with loooong days and a few public holidays thrown in even if you don’t have tons of leave. So join me and let’s live it up this summer!
*I don’t have my own pictures of everything on this list, because I haven’t done everything on this list myself. I’ve used some beautiful Instagram posts by other people in this post. Click through to their profiles to give them a follow! I don’t take any credit for any of these pictures – they’re serving as my inspiration. If any of the pictures belong to you and you’d prefer not to have them featured here, please just pop me a mail on [email protected] and I’ll remove them ?
1. Spend the day at Smitswinkel Bay
This is one of my favourite beaches in Cape Town, and because it’s a little drive out of town, and a bit of a hike from the road, it’s one of summer’s most unspoilt spots. You can spot it from the road, down on the left as you drive toward the entrance of the Cape Point Nature Reserve. The beach is bright white and the water is turquoise blue. It’s a bit of a hike down and back up again, but well worth it.
2. Swim in a rock pool in Nature’s Valley
Ok it’s a long way from Cape Town, but you’ve got lots of time for road trips with the holidays coming up. Nature’s Valley is out along the Garden Route, between the Salt River, the foothills of the Tsitsikamma Mountains, the Indian Ocean and the Groot River lagoon. Could it be in a more beautiful spot? There are beaches, hikes and importantly icy rock pools to skinny dip in.
3. Celebrate the Harvest Festival in the winelands
Come January, February, the winelands buzz with excitement and hard work as the farms in the hotter areas start to harvest their grapes. Stellenbosch and Robertson both host harvest festivals around this time, giving visitors the opportunity to pick and stomp grapes, sit down to huge harvest feasts and make the most of this abundant time in the winelands. Keep an eye on the Stellenbosch Experience website for updates on this year’s festivities.
4. Glamp in a breathtaking spot
I actually really enjoy camping. It’s the putting up and taking down of the campsite that I’m not a fan of. So I’m dying to experience one of Hey Pioneer’s amazing glamping setups. They do all the work and add loads of unique and special (Instagrammable) touches that look like they were art directed by Wes Anderson himself.
5. Drive out to Cape Agulhas
This road trip will take you through one of the most beautiful parts of the Cape. There are loads of gorgeous photo opportunities along the way, and once you get there you are at THE SOUTHERNMOST TIP OF AFRICA. I mean, it’s pretty cool!
What are your favourite things to do in and around the greater Cape Town region over summer? Or are you planning a trip here and filling up your bucket list as we speak (so to speak)?
If you’re still looking for holiday accommodation in Cape Town, Knysna, Hermanus or Stellenbosch, check out AccommoDirect.com.
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