7 Reasons You Should Spend Your summer in Cape Town

Here’s why the Mother City’s summer sun will light up your life this festive season – and why you won’t be able to get enough of it.

Last Update: November 30, 2016

The City of Cape Town is home to two very distinct types of weather. 

The first type has been described as ‘four seasons in one day’. During the months of March until October, anyone who has experienced living in the Mother City will always keep an umbrella handy for a sudden (and unannounced) downpour, or have extensive knowledge on layering one’s clothing effectively to fight the bitter cold or forceful winds. 

And then, there’s summer.

Summer in Cape Town is like that precious friend that comes to visit and brings with them the promise of thrilling adventures, long nights and irresistible activities. They encourage you to abandon all responsibilities and take a walk on the lighter, brighter (more wild) side of life – if not for just a little while. Cape Town wakes up from a deep slumber and comes alive from November until February and while the sun bathes the city in a shimmering glow, there is an overflowing sea of endless possibilities pulsating through this festive season. 

Let’s face it: Spending summer in Cape Town is like taking that first lick of a cold ice cream on a scorching day. It does all sorts of wonderful things to you, and once you’ve had a taste, you’ll be coming back for more.  

REASONS TO SPEND YOUR SUMMER IN CAPE TOWN

1. Arguably the best Sundowner Spots
Sundowner: the act of drinking while the sun is setting. Or - as I’d like to call it – just another excuse to drink and be merry. Summer itself offers the perfect reason to sip on some creative and colorful looking creations and, if you have not yet visited Cape Town’s famous Camps Bay area, then you have not lived! Camps Bay popular sidewalks spot Café Caprice is the ultimate sundowner location with its world-class cocktails and chic setting. On par with Cafe Caprice is another Cape Town favorite: the Grand Africa Café and Beach located in Mouille Point which entices us to enter into a glamorous lifestyle of sun, sand and sea, while obviously clutching a cocktail in our hand.  Needless to say, Cape Town’s various sundowner hotspots showcase how idyllic the Mother City can be during the summer. 

2. The most breathtaking Sunsets
Although the sunsets in Cape Town are beautiful all year around, the intermingling shades of colors splashed across a cloudless, cerulean sky is a treasure worth bestowing your eyes on during the summer. There is also no better place to watch this beautiful sight unfold than at one of the Cape Town’s best beaches. With the wind dancing through your hair and the Mother City’s festive vibes as thick as the heat, you will certainly get lost in the moment. Cape Town does that to a person.

3. …Which you can also see when you hike up to the most spectacular viewpoints.
If you were wondering why Capetonians are so much happier and pleasant during the hotter months, it’s because Cape Town's hiking routes are a reason in itself to spend the summer in the city. Don’t believe me? Just check out NAC Helicopters 100 Best Pictures of Cape Town and Surrounds, where most pictures feature the Mother City’s iconic views from up top. This is only time where we all ditch the happy pills for a brilliant dose of Vitamin D and exercise, occasionally snapping the photo (or many) from our #lionsheadhike #esCapetown. 

4. Also, not to mention the Trance Party scene is as hot and heavy as the weather.
If the sun is shining during the day, the festival lovers come out to play. Cape Town’s copious trance party scene is just another one of the many reasons to spend your summer in this mesmerizing city, where enchanting locations will allow you to party your weekends away in an outdoor paradise. Diarise these important dates in your calendar, friends, because the sun is not the only thing that is hot and happening this season. 

5. Four Words: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
No summer in Cape Town is complete without mentioning the much-loved and eagerly anticipated Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts, which - as the name states - takes place only during the sizzling season. However, The Galileo Open Air Cinema has become the favorite flavor of the summer too. A hub of brunch-lovers, nature lovers and picnickers, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens transforms itself into a pulsing and vibrant outdoor cinema on Wednesday nights, where you can catch your favorite flicks in a stunning setting! Other settings include the V&A Waterfront and Hillcrest Quarry for you to truly enjoy the summer nights and city lights!

6. You can escape the city at any point with a road trip
Along with the festive season and Cape Town’s summer beauty comes the arrival of hundreds more people – so trust me when I say you’re going to need an escape. Luckily, summer also means you can add road tripping to your bucket list. You could spend a day in Kalk Bay, spend an afternoon unearthing Hermanus or Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai - or simply experience the charming Robertson Wine Valley. Whatever it is that you decide to do, summertime means infinite enjoyable getaway activities - and nothing makes one feel more alive than a much –needed breath of fresh air.

7. Lastly, did someone say free activities? 
Yes, you heard right. If by now you are still not convinced that Cape Town is the ultimate best place to spend your Summer, then I have one more thing to say to you: The best things in life are free, right? Who doesn’t love gaining an experience or memory at no cost whatsoever. From yoga on the beach to full moon meditation and night markets, Cape Town proves that you don’t need much to make the most of your summer. The city itself is a true gem worth discovering. 

So, you ask us why you should spend you summer in Cape Town? Well, I simply ask you, why the hell not? 

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Now that we have persuaded you to spend your summer in Cape Town, check out these 47 Awesome To-Dos that should be on your Summer Bucket List. 

And if the thought of ice cream has stayed with you this entire time, here is our pick of the Best Ice Cream Parlours in Cape Town. You’re welcome! 

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