Top things to do inside in Cape Town

Don’t let winter spoil your fun

“The weather outside is frightening, but Cape Town’s still delightful. Since you don’t want to go outside; stay inside, stay inside, stay inside.” 

Things to do for kids:

Laser Quest
You’re a space age commando; kamikaze rolling, ducking and diving your way through the Mother City. With your target in sight, you fire your laser beam. Their pack vibrates, their gun is disabled and they fall to the ground like a sack of alien potatoes. Get a group of friends together, form two teams and battle away.
Stadium on Main | Claremont Main Road | Claremont | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 683 3931

Iziko Planetarium
Cape Town’s fog horns may be a’blarin’, but inside the planetarium, the sky is always clear. Travel through the wonders of the universe from your armchair, join Davy Dragon on his mission to become the best flying dragon, or find out what links pyramids to the galaxy.
25 Queen Victoria Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 481 3900

Things to do for men:

Birkenhead Brewery
There’s only one thing for it when there’s no rugby on TV and Dad is feeling gloomy – a pint. Taste all five Birkenhead beers including their famous Honey Blonde Ale; light and medium bodied, with a sweet, fruity finish and a honey aroma. And go on a tour of a working brewery. Read more about Cape Town’s craft beers.
R326 | Main Road | Stanford | Western Cape | +27 (0)28 341 0183

The South African Naval Museum
Those pesky penguins are always stealing the limelight, but there’s more to ye olde Simon’s Town. The original dockyard storehouse has been home to the Royal Navy Headquarters since 1810. The onsite museum houses a fascinating collection of ships and sub-marine models, naval guns and sea mines. Read our overview of museums.
Naval Dockyard | Simons Town | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 787 4686

Things to do for women:

The Fabulous Friday French Market
Owner, Suzanne Himely, who comes from a long line of French cheese lovers, showcases authentic cheeses, pâtés, saucisson sec (cured sausage), oils mustards, vinegars and foie gras. Before this list has even left your lips, she’ll have prepared a culinary delight on a chunk of homemade bread. Read more about the Fabulous Friday French Market.
Alliance Français | 155 Loop Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)83 300 6725

The Librisa Spa
Nothing will release your inner goddess quite like pure, potent and therapeutic plant essences. Mount Nelson’s pristine and gentle spa offers natural products, including Africology’s jojoba body scrub. Expert therapists massage and relax, while you drift off to sleep. Read more about the Librisa Spa.
Mount Nelson | 76 Orange Street | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 483 1000

The Cape Quarter
It’s time to take off your slippers, stop moping and become fashion fabulous. The Cape Quarter has art, fashion, beauty and home décor all under one roof. We found Vicoria Beckham shades and even a wedding dress for our pooch, when we visited the Cape Quarter.
The Cape Quarter | 27 Somerset Road | Green Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 421 1111

Shimansky
Did you know that some diamond cutters like to listen to heavy metal music while they work? A fascinating tour of Shimansky’s diamond and jewellery workshop includes a visit to the workshop, museum and the sparkling showroom. Read more about Shimansky.
Top Floor | The Clock Tower | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 421 2788

Cultural things to do:

The Barnyard Theatre
To be, or not to be cold. That is a question best answered at this rustic and relaxed, social venue where thespians, live bands and circus performers assume their roles. You can even order toasty pizzas from their onsite deli. Read our overview of theatres.
Tygervalley Barnyard Theatre | Shop F09 | 1st Floor | Willowbridge Lifestyle Centre | 39 Carl Kronje Drive | Tygervalley | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 914 8898

Labia
When the going gets rainy, we all have a tendency to hibernate in bed with a DVD. Why not consider a change of scenery? Originally an Italian embassy ballroom, the oldest art-repertory cinema in South Africa is the ideal spot to enjoy a classic film, in olde worlde ambience. There’s also an old fashioned popcorn stand (plus you can drink wine in the cinema).
Top tip: Grab a pre-show pizza or a pasta dish at nearby, Societi Bistro.
68 Orange Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 424 5927

Lobby Books
This homey book shop is a calm and quiet space for browsing books, reading the newspaper or watching the city go by over a coffee at attached, 6 Spin Street Restaurant. Political debates and panel discussions, book signings, poetry readings and documentary film screenings take place regularly. Read more about Lobby Books.
6 Spin Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 467 7606

Food and wine things to do:

Chefs Warehouse
Allow Liam Tomlin to transport your inner chef around the world, from South America to Thailand, from France to Italy and from Morocco to Japan. The cookery school hosts chefs including Tina Bester, Peter Tempelhof and Craig Cormack and an extensive range of spices and utensils are for sale.
50 New Church Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 0128

Quoin Rock
Nothing says ‘romance’ quite like lingering by a warm, log fire, toasting with a full-bodied glass of red.This quaint and rustic wine house is open for tasting seven days a week, set in the stunning, Simonsberg Mountains. We went for a tasting and never wanted to leave.
off R44 | Knorhoek Road | Stellenbosch | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 888 4740

By Lisa Nevitt

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