What to Do in Cape Town This Wintery July

As the Cape’s misty mornings roll in and the Atlantic breeze carries a chill, we’re reminded that winter in Cape Town doesn’t mean slowing down; it means shifting gears. It’s a season made for soft light, warm layers, and discovering the city’s quieter secrets.

Our team went searching for soul-soothing escapes and memory-making adventures, from candlelit concerts in unexpected corners to wood-fired saunas at the sea. Whether you’re a bookworm, love the winter outdoor air, or just after a good glass of red with a side of goat tower*, there’s something in this Cape Town Guide to brighten even the greyest day.

Cape Town in winter is something special.

• It’s Cheese and Red Wine Season at Fairview. You will be as charmed by the *goat tower as you are by the candlelit tastings 🧀🍷
• Candlelit Concerts at various venues lit only by candlelight, live classical music reimagined. Think Queen meets Vivaldi, Coldplay vs Imagine Dragons, Ed Sheeran and the Beatles.
• Move Slow and Reset your nervous system at One Flow. Infrared-heated yoga, cold plunges, breath work, and guided sauna journeys are all under one gentle roof.
• Create your own chocolate bar at Rapt with toasted marshmallows, nitro ice cream and a whole lot of whimsy. It’s part Wonka, part winter therapy.

• Head two hours up the coast to Velddrif to see salt pans bloom blush-pink with algae, framed by flamingos. Add smoked fish and a stroll down Bokkomlaan’s quirky gallery strip.
• Just 45 minutes from the city, the Atlantis Dunes offer a stark white desert landscape perfect for sandboarding, quad biking, or surreal photo shoots.
• ShuShu’s mobile wood-fired saunas are popping up along Cape Town’s beaches, offering steaming heat, icy plunges, and epic sea views.
• Winter marks the return of the southern right whales to Cape waters. Watch these gentle giants breach, spyhop, and tail-slap from vantage points along False Bay, Cape Point, or Hermanus.
• Join a foraging walk with Re-Wild along the coast, where you will gather seaweed and wild greens, then cook them over an open fire. Wildly grounding and deeply flavourful.

• The Book Lounge is a rainy day refuge with creaky floors, hot tea, and hours of good fiction. Go solo or with a friend, and take your time.
• Once an Art Deco cinema, The Bijou is now a creative haven — home to artists, musicians, and master blacksmith Conrad Hicks. His forge glows at the center of it all, where metal is shaped into sculpture and function. Drop in for studio tours, exhibitions, and a glimpse into Cape Town’s handmade soul.
• Cast a Moment in Time at 2handsy. Sculpt your clasped hands into a cast. Quirky, meaningful, and surprisingly moving. It’s a little messy, but totally memorable.
• The Underground Glass Museum, a hidden gem in Stellenbosch, showcases rare glass from Dali to local artisans. It’s quiet, curious, and totally free.

• First we dine, then we disco at Baby Cape Town – the snazzy new bar-restaurant in Sea Point. This 80s-inspired time capsule is bold, playful, and a little eccentric – think pink and mauve décor, a Grecian bust and disco ball, great music, and cocktails that flow freely.
• Karaoke nights for over-23s at Bokeh Studio with cocktails, couches, and awesome acoustics. Order ramen and tacos from neighbouring spots and they’ll deliver straight to your mic.
• Silent Disco Wine Pairing at Black Elephant Vintners, swap classical pairings for rock ’n roll and red wine. It’s a headphone-fuelled tasting with murals of Freddie Mercury and ACDC cheering you on.
• Cape Town’s first Arcade-Bar, Barcadia, serves nostalgia on tap — classic 90s arcade games, and free plays with every drink: think Mortal Kombat and craft cider with popcorn.

• Make your own fluid bear with Artelier by Anum. This viral art trend lets you pour and swirl paint over a ceramic bear to create psychedelic colour patterns.
• Get your hands dirty at The Pottery, where you can shape, paint, and fire your mug all while sipping coffee or wine. They glaze and fire it for you to collect later. A cosy, tactile, and surprisingly relaxing experience.
• Learn to craft your own homemade soaps using Babylonstoren’s olive and essential oils as inspiration. The experience includes a visit to the farm’s aromatic fields to harvest rosemary, lavender, or whatever’s in season.
• Glamour & Glass in Paarl is where kids (and adults, of course) can paint plates, platters, and dessert bowls with their skilled instructors. They’re also available for team buildings and birthday parties.

We recently visited the new Centre for South Africa’s Constitutional Transformation, established by the FW de Klerk Foundation. This immersive exhibition offers a moving, multimedia journey through the country’s democratic transition and the legacy of the 1996 Constitution.

Highlights include guided discussions on democracy, conflict resolution, and human rights – a reminder of how dialogue shaped our nation’s future. Set aside an hour to explore, especially if you’re interested in global diplomacy or South African history. Open: Tuesdays – Thursdays| R80 adults & R40 youth

A Thoughtful Celebration of South African Flavour at Curate – review by Robin McLeod

We had a memorable meal at Curate, the newly opened dining experience at Ellerman House. The evening unfolded over beautifully presented courses, each inspired by nostalgic South African flavour, but with a refined, contemporary twist. From start to finish, the experience felt considered, beginning with a welcome cocktail and a fascinating, interactive tour of the iconic Ellerman cellar.
For South Africans, the dishes spark a warm sense of recognition and for international guests, they offer a rich and layered introduction to local culture through food. Serious foodies and wine connoisseurs will find this a must-visit on Cape Town’s culinary map.