Rainy day activities in Cape Town
6 May 2022
People are mistaken if they think that Cape Town is primarily a summer destination. It has a Mediterranean climate, with dry warm summers and cool, wet winters.
But this isn’t a reason to avoid this beautiful city in winter. Over and above its beaches, mountains and scenery, the city is jam-packed with indoor activities that can brighten up any rainy day.
Two Oceans Aquarium – an underwater wonderland
Situated at the V&A Waterfront, the Two Oceans Aquarium is a special experience for adults and children alike. It showcases the diverse marine life found in both the Atlantic and Indian oceans.
The aquarium has a play area where children are entertained by puppet shows and age-appropriate arts and crafts.
Brush up on your history at Cape Town’s museums
Cape Town boasts several museums, enough to keep anyone busy for several rainy days.
- Robben Island Museum: Robben Island is infamous for the prison that housed former President Nelson Mandela during apartheid. The prison has been turned into a museum and is a national heritage site. Visitors can take a ferry from the V&A Waterfront to the island and enjoy an informative tour of the island and the prison.
- Slave Lodge: These temporary exhibitions raise awareness around human rights with displays ranging from slavery-related topics to showcasing ceramics from across the world.
- District Six Museum: A National Heritage Site, this museum documents the painful apartheid era and the families who were forcibly displaced from their homes in the District Six suburb.
Nerd out at the Cape Town Science Centre
While aimed at younger minds, the Cape Town Science Centre, is a fun experience for the whole family. More than 250 interactive exhibits, games and puzzles cover a wide range of disciplines under one roof and can easily keep you busy for a full day.
For the art lover
The abundance of art galleries in Cape Town features a wide variety of genres.
- Everard Read Gallery: Located at the V&A Waterfront, this gallery gives local painters and sculptors a stage to showcases their works. The gallery has expanded to include a sculpture garden across the road.
- Zeitz MOCAA: The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is based in the Silo District at the V&A Waterfront. It is one of the largest contemporary galleries in Africa and displays Jochen Zeitz’s legendary private collection as well as other contemporary art from around the continent.
- 34Fine Art: This gallery showcases cutting-edge artwork in many forms and genres mostly by local artists. A smaller part of this gallery has been set aside for international artists. 34Fine Art is situated in Buchanan Square.
- Michael Stevenson Gallery: Also located in Buchanan Square, this gallery is one the most respected contemporary galleries in South Africa. It features both international and local artists.
- The Cape Gallery: Situated in the heart of the CBD is one of Cape Town’s oldest galleries. Artwork here is more of a classic genre focused on Africa’s culture and identity.
Military history and more at the Castle of Good Hope
Built between 1666 and 1679, the Castle is known as the oldest surviving building in South Africa. This fort now houses the William Fehr Collection, a permanent ceramics exhibition and the Castle Military Museum.
A warm beverage and plate of food
Keep warm at Cape Town’s wealth of quaint coffee shops and world-renowned restaurants. Although the city is scattered with coffee shops, you will find the most of them situated in the central business part of town on Bree, Long, Loop and Kloof streets where you will be spoilt for choice.
Cape Town’s restaurants offer unique and colourful food experiences. Enjoy everything from local Cape Malay food or shisanyama (meaning to ‘burn meat’ in isiZulu) to gourmet burgers or fine dining. The Mother City also offers great options for visitors with a more specific diet requirements such a vegetarian and Halaal.
Indoor food markets are also a great rainy-day activity in Cape Town. These markets can be found in Sea Point, Hout Bay, Muizenberg, and Woodstock to mention only a few. They offer live music, good food, local produce, arts, crafts, décor and just an overall cosy and vibrant atmosphere.
Wine, gin and more to keep the cold at bay
Cape Town is part of the world-famous Cape Winelands route. Enjoy wine-tasting and cellar tours at one of the many wine farms in and around the city.
If wine is not your “cup of tea” there are gin and beer options too. There are many tour and tastings options to suit differing budgets and schedules.
Experience top-notch entertainment
If entertainment is more up your alley, Cape Town has that too.
Artscape Theatre, situated in the Foreshore area, is the city’s main performing arts theatre. It hosts dramas, concerts, operas, gospel shows and more.
Meanwhile, Theatre on The Bay in Camps Bay seats 268 people. Showing anything from Disney musicals to one-man shows, this theatre is bound to charm audiences of all ages.
If your prefer going to the movies, skip the generic cinema, and visit the Labia theatre, where you can watch a range of contemporary blockbusters and independent films. A warm glass of Glühwein is also served in theatre to warm up those cold winter days.
