Top things to do in Cape Town this festive season

There's no doubt that Cape Town is a popular destination during the festive season. School and university students are on vacation, and many workers are taking time off, with many travelling to Cape Town. It's the most popular Christmas vacation spot in South Africa.

Spending the festive season in the Mother City? These are some of the fun activities, sightseeing, and trendy places to visit while you are here:

• Explore the best of the V&A Waterfront

If you're on vacation with your family and want to do something fun with your kids, the V&A Waterfront has a lot to offer. When you visit the Two Oceans Aquarium, you can learn tons about the ocean and aquatic life. Live ocean exhibits including seahorses, octopuses, rays, turtles, and fish of all shapes and sizes make it one of Cape Town's biggest attractions.

The V&A Waterfront also has access to harbour boat cruises. The Jolly Roger, South Africa's sole pirate ship, will appeal to children in particular. It provides an authentic adventure-filled experience for the young at heart.

There's also the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island, Cape Town's famous Ferris wheel, and the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.

• Rejuvenate at the Constantia Winelands

A festive getaway to the Constantia Winelands is ideal for foodies and wine lovers seeking a quieter environment away from the city. Some of the oldest vineyards and most prominent wine estates in the southern hemisphere can be found here. While relaxing in the tranquil ambience amid lush gardens and exquisite lodgings, you may enjoy spectacular views of Table Mountain's back slopes.

Boulders Beach, Kalk Bay, Simon's Town, Cape Point, Chapman's Peak Drive, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Park, and the Norval Foundation art gallery and sculpture garden are all within easy driving distance.

If you want to explore other wine estates and beautiful scenery then you can take a drive to Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, or Paarl. There are also lots of family-friendly restaurants and attractions in this area.

• Enjoy some family time outdoors at Imhoff Farm

A visit to the Imhoff Farm is one of the best things to do with kids on your Cape Town vacation since it is jam-packed with loads of fascinating activities for them. Camels can be ridden, ducks and goats can be fed, and reptiles can be learned about while older children play laser tag or paintball.

While the kids play in the jungle gym, you may enjoy a great breakfast, lunch, snacks, or a cup of coffee at the Blue Water Café.

• Relax on one of Cape Town's beaches

The year 2021 was unquestionably exhausting. You owe it to yourself to unwind on a gorgeous beach while enjoying a great cocktail. There's no better place to get your feet wet than one of Cape Town's 12 best beaches.

Because the current here comes straight from Antarctica, the beaches along the Atlantic Coastline, including the famous Camps Bay and Clifton Beaches, are never warm. However, people still go to them for sunbathing, walking, and brief toe dips in the freezing sea. Here's where you'll find some excellent waves. 

Boulders Beach is a must-see for penguin fans. A big colony of endangered African penguins lives on this beach. If you want to swim, the beach is positioned between enormous granite boulders on the False Bay coastline, therefore the water is slightly warmer.

Muizenberg is one of the best surf beaches around Cape Town, while Big Bay in Blouberg is known internationally for kitesurfing. 

Festive Things to remember

• For an unforgettable experience in Cape Town this festive season, take a drive to Adderley Street to view the spectacular Christmas lights in the centre of the city. 
• Pay a visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden for the annual Carols by Candlelight Christmas celebrations.
• Popular Christmas markets to visit include the Cape Gift Market at the Sea Point Hall, Stellenbosch Kersmark, Lourensford Christmas Market, and Pinelands Craft and Gift Fair.
• New Year's Day (1 January) is a public holiday across South Africa while the 2nd of January (Tweede Nuwe Jaar or Second New Year) is traditionally also a holiday in Cape Town, although not an official one.

Knight Frank would like to wish our clients and associates a wonderful festive season. May it be a joyous time for you and your family. As 2021 comes to a close, we hope that you continue to keep safe and be prosperous in the new year.