Nearby places

Planning a day out around Cape Town's weather

Most of the places listed above sit within a short drive of each other, but the experience of visiting them can change completely depending on the wind. Cape Town's summer is shaped by the south-easter, the strong, dry wind often called the "Cape Doctor". It can blow hard for days, pulling the famous tablecloth of cloud over Table Mountain and making open spaces such as the Green Point area around the stadium, or the quaysides of the V&A Waterfront, noticeably gusty. In winter the pattern shifts: north-westerly fronts bring rain and cooler days, which is when indoor venues come into their own.

Matching the venue to the conditions

• Calm, sunny days suit Kirstenbosch, where the gardens on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain are partly sheltered. Go early in summer to avoid the midday heat, and take water, a hat and sunscreen.
• Windy afternoons are a good excuse to head indoors: Zeitz MOCAA, the Artscape and Baxter theatres, and the CTICC are all comfortable regardless of what the south-easter is doing.
• Wet winter evenings work well for a show at GrandWest's Grand Arena or a theatre performance, though it is worth allowing extra travel time when roads are busy and wet.

Practical tips

Programmes, opening times and ticketing change regularly, so always check each venue's official website before setting out, and book ahead for popular concerts, matches and exhibitions. For large events at the stadium or arena, plan transport and parking in advance, and consider leaving a little early to beat queues afterwards.

Wind is also why Cape Town features in conversations about renewable energy. The same steady coastal winds that rattle umbrellas on the Waterfront are part of what makes the Western Cape attractive for wind farms. If you are curious about how that works, our wind basics guide explains it in plain English, and the projects explained section looks at how real installations are planned and built. For upcoming talks and gatherings on clean energy, see the events page.