An independent guide to a remarkable city
The places worth finding. The days worth planning. A local view of the city, and the Cape beyond it.
01 / 03 A Cape Town starting point
Take the cableway up. Take your time at the top.
Photo: Asher Pardey / Unsplash
What does your day look like?
Cape Town & the Western Cape / Places, people, perspective.
Find your starting pointA city with more than one side
Follow your appetite, find a new perspective, or make yourself at home.
The weekend edit / 7–8 November 2026
01 / Indoor anchor
An indoor escape room at the Waterfront. Games are listed at 60–75 minutes. Confirm the age guidance and the session before you book.
Plan this outing
02 / Skip if the weather turns
Weather can change the route. The Coastal Catamaran Cruise may stay inside the harbour when the sea is unsuitable. Confirm the meeting point, and keep the escape room as the backup.
Plan this outing
03 / A plan with other people
The open-air season runs until 15 May 2027, so this weekend falls inside it. Films begin after sunset. Check the film’s age rating and bring a warm layer.
Plan this outingCheck current opening times, availability and weather with the operator before you go.
Get the weekend email ↗The planning guides
Start with the Aquarium for an indoor outing, Kirstenbosch for a garden day, Boulders for penguin viewing, or the Cableway for a mountain visit when it is operating.
One main outing per day
Use one day for the Waterfront, keep a second day flexible for Table Mountain or Kirstenbosch, and give the Cape Peninsula its own day.
Three days, with room to swap
The Two Oceans Aquarium, Table Mountain Cableway and Kirstenbosch all publish access information.
Plan the route, not just the entrance
From the journal
Local perspectives, practical guides, and places with a story to tell.
The Water Desk / 6 November 2026
Combined storage of the six major dams
72.1%
647 958 Ml of 898 221 Ml · data as at 6 November 2026 · fetched 12:00 SAST
The longer view
| Date | Storage |
|---|---|
| 2026-11-02 | 73.0% |
| 2026-11-03 | 72.8% |
| 2026-11-05 | 72.5% |
| 2026-11-06 | 72.1% |
The Weekend Club
Cape Town ideas worth opening your inbox for. Join our free weekly email and make a little more of your weekend.
01 / Explore the Mother City
Make room for a little adventure.
Photo: Asher Pardey / Unsplash
02 / Taste the Cape
Good food. A good place to linger.
Hout Bay area photo; market not pictured. Photo: Mick Haupt / Unsplash
03 / Rest Easy
A change of scene, at your pace.
Winelands setting photo; cinema venues vary. Photo: Roland Lüthi / Unsplash
Things to do in Cape Town
16 November 2021
Food & Drink
31 July 2019
Adventure and Activity
6 March 2019
Adventure and Activity
22 February 2018
Adventure and Activity
13 February 2018
