Just because the weather is cold, doesn’t mean you need to stay indoors. In fact, there are many things in and around Cape Town that are actually better to do in winter. Here are five of the best things to do to warm up in the Mother City.
Enjoy the red wine
Many people prefer to drink red wine when it’s cold because red wine quite literally warms you up from the inside. Red wine also seems to pair really well with winter dishes such as curries, red meats and stews. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a good wine farm to visit for some red wine in Cape Town. Cape Town Tourism has a handy list of some of the region’s top wine farms, so that’s a good place to start.
Head out for decadent warm drinks
Everyone enjoys a good coffee date with loved ones, so now is actually the perfect time to do this. Cape Town is well-known for having some of the best coffee shops in the world within our borders, so there are plenty to choose from. And if coffee isn’t your thing, there is no doubt that these establishments will offer some decadent hot chocolate and other winter drinks too.
Do some indoor activities with the kids
As if the kids haven’t been indoors at home enough, don’t let the weather keep you from taking them out for a bit. There are so many things to do around Cape Town that gets you out of the house, but also keeps you out of the cold. The Two Oceans Aquarium, for example, is an excellent place that the whole family will enjoy, or take them to the Cape Town Science Centre for some learning and fun all at once. If you’d rather stay indoors at home, bring the ocean experience to them! Justin Blake is a shark scientist with the #1 bestselling wildlife Online Experience on Airbnb. In his famous Experience, guests learn how science and technology is used to uncover the secret lives of sharks, and Justin shares some of his favourite stories, images and videos taken by himself and his team. Money from the bookings is directly donated to RockHopper and the conservation of sharks. If you’d like to learn more, you can book the Experience here.
Spa treatment
For the grown-ups, a spa treatment is always a great choice. Not only does this offer a great way to warm up, but it’s also an excellent way to relax and destress. Many spas also run winter specials during this time. Amani Spa and Wellness, for example, has a special called You Time that costs R690 per person. For this price, you can enjoy a Himlayan hot stone back massage, a foot ritual and sip on some hot chocolate. Now, doesn’t that sound divine?
Enjoy winter menus across the city
Hello soup, stews, curries, delectable meat and more! Winter in Cape Town means that restaurants across the city are trading in the fresh summer menus for warm winter ones, with many offering specials on certain winter dishes or pairings. Tobago’s at Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, for example, has a curry and wine pairing menu offering the option of three curries that have been expertly paired with a delicious wine from Waterford wines. One of the curries is a vegan option while another comes with sweet chutney made from Waterfront grapes. There are deals like this all over Cape Town, so do look out for them.