How to beat the heat in Cape Town

Cape Town’s tidal pools are one of the city’s most refreshing – and free! – ways to tame a hot summer’s day. There are dozens of tidal pools around the Cape Peninsula, allowing you to choose between family-friendly options with (slightly) warmer water, or a sunset dip on the chilly Atlantic Seaboard. Join sunrise swimmers at Dalebrook and Wooley’s, or stake out a spot at family-friendly favourites like St James, Milton and Glencairn.

On the Atlantic side, Camps Bay, Maiden’s Cove and Saunders’ Rock deliver icy dips with blockbuster views of Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles, plus perfect sunset photo ops. If you’re up for a little road trip, Miller’s Point, Soetwater and Buffels Bay add braai spots, lawns and more rugged scenery into the Deep South mix. There’s a tidal pool for every kind of hot Cape Town summer’s day.

Need a recipe for holiday happiness? Try “children + water + sunshine + gravity”. Cape Town’s water parks are always the answer in the summer holidays. From old-school seaside slides to full-blown adventure parks, here’s the best way to keep the kids happy in the H-2-Whoa! Wiesenhof Adventure Park near Stellenbosch throws in trampolines, a pump track and braai spots alongside its scream-inducing slides, while Muizenberg Water Slides and Water World Strand deliver nostalgic beachfront fun between sea swims. Younger kids are best served at BUGZ Family Playpark, where shallow splash zones sit alongside trains, karts and mud kitchens. For a Winelands day out, Benguela Cove’s colourful splash pad and pirate-themed mini golf pair nicely with a glass of estate wine, and Wacky Adventures on the West Coast adds quad biking and braais to its trio of pools and slides. Don’t forget the sunblock!

From icy Atlantic bays to the (sort of) balmy waters of False Bay, Cape Town’s beaches are an obvious go-to when the mercury spikes. With the ocean on three sides, there’s never a shortage of sandy escapes. Muizenberg, St James and Fish Hoek are mellow options for kids and longboarders, while Camps Bay, Clifton and Queen’s Beach dial up the glamour with palm trees, sundowners and people-watching. Noordhoek, Scarborough and Diaz Beach feel wonderfully remote, all big skies, empty sands and cold waves. If you have time to head for Cape Point, try Buffels Bay and Olifantsbos for a mix of hiking, braai spots and tidal pools with wild scenery.

Cape Town’s public pools are among the cheapest ways to cool off. During the peak summer season, and until mid-April, the city’s network of 36 pools is open daily. Sea Point is the poster child of the city’s public pools, but you’ll also enjoy the more low-key options spread across the suburbs, from Long Street to Retreat, Newlands to Muizenberg. 

And entry is a total bargain! Community pools start at R9 for adults and R3 for children, with slightly higher rates at flagship facilities like Sea Point and Long Street. Pack your cozzie, leave the booze and glass at home, and keep a close watch on little ones (even if there are lifeguards on duty). Check the City of Cape Town website for the latest opening times, fees, and any last-minute updates before you go.

If you like a little luxe with your lounger, check in to enjoy some of Cape Town’s best hotel pools. From dramatic rooftop plunge pools with blockbuster Table Mountain and harbour views to palm-fringed resort-style decks made for all-day lazing, you’ll love these chic hotel options. In our curated list of the city’s best hotel pools, expect icons like The Silo, Ellerman House and One&Only Cape Town alongside slick city boltholes and Sea Point stunners. Some pools are strictly for in-house guests, while a handful – including family-friendly options with day passes – welcome locals chasing a mini staycation without the room rate.

If you don’t fancy a dip, Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs offer shady green trails where the temperature stays nice and cool. Start with the greenbelts through Constantia and Tokai, featuring mostly flat paths that are gentle on knees, won’t get you sweaty and are perfect for kids and dogs. Stroll along the Alphen and Diep River greenbelts, explore the forested Klaasenbosch and Silverhurst trails, or make a loop of Tokai Forest before stopping for a coffee at the edge of the trees. Keurboom Park is another much-loved local favourite. Many routes are shared with cyclists and, in some areas, horses, so keep dogs leashed where required.