Summer in the Mother City is fast approaching and having your calendar fill up with fun things to do should be at the top of everyone’s list. Even though the weather doesn’t dictate the start of the warmer weather today, summer in Cape Town always sees an influx of tourists both locally and abroad. If you’re a regular then you already know my theory – “Be a tourist in your own city”. Lounging around the pool is by far at the top of everyone’s summer holiday wishlist but with the critical dam levels that won’t be possible and the few swimming pools that will be open to the public will most probably be packed. Today on the blog I decided to share five of my fail proof things to do this summer holiday and is even budget friendly and suitable for the whole family.  Here’s to summer nights and city lights!

1 – Hop on a City Sightseeing Cape Town red bus.This is by far at the top of my things to do in Cape Town list. I believe that everyone should hop on the City Sightseeing bus at least once in their lifetime. It is the perfect way to explore the Mother City and there’s so many beautiful stops that you could hop off at to do a little sightseeing. If you want to know more about the red bus, scroll through my archives and you’ll see just how much I love the red bus. Tickets for the red bus retails for under R200 and you can hop on and off from 8am-6pm. There are so many different routes that takes you to some of Cape Town’s most sought after gems such as the cable car or even doing the wine route tour. Do yourself a favour and book your ticket. (Ps you can save some moola if you book online).

2 –  Have a relaxing day on the beachSeeing that pool time is quite limited this summer, the next best thing is definitely the beach. Of course the popular beaches like Camps Bay and Clifton will most probably be packed, I would suggest the underrated ones like my beloved Lagoon Beach. The best thing is that it is free and you can stay the whole day and witness the breathtaking sunsets that I always gush about.

3 – Take a boat trip to Seal IslandTaking a boat trip from Hout Bay to Seal Island would have your scoring brownie points with your family for weeks to come. I can’t even begin to describe how wonderful it is to see the thousands of Cape Fur Seals close up in their natural habitat. It is a sight worthy of getting a feature in this “top things to do in Cape Town” list. This is a 40 minute cruise from Hout Bay to Seal Island and when you return you can always have a delicious fish and chips lunch at Mariners Wharf while taking in the picturesque views and soaking up the sun. This is another budget friendly activity to do as tickets are under R100!

4 – Have a picnic at Newlands Reservoir At Newlands Reservoir there are some lovely picnic spots and trails for you to take your fur babies for a walk. This place is extremely underrated and not often talked about. I love this place and it also makes for a beautiful location for a photoshoot. Entrance is absolutely free. All you need is a blanket and a picnic basket while lounging out on the grass. There’s plenty of parking and shade to cover you from the sun. The peace and quiet is my absolute fave as not many people comes here. If you have a free afternoon then I would highly suggest Newlands Reservoir or at least the area where you can relax and have a picnic.

5 – Hop on a catamaran in the V&A Waterfront.This was one of the best things I could have ever done in the V&A. There are so many options to choose from that can suit your budget. I  did the sunset cruise on New Year’s Eve and it was pure magic. I got a view of the Cape that is only visible from the V&A canal before cruising to the open waters.

And that’s a wrap up of the top 5 things that I absolutely enjoy doing in Cape Town in the summer time. Are there any activities that’s got your attention?