Survive Cape Town in high season and even enjoy the summer stampede

Cape Town in high season is a spectacle: the sun is out, the mountains are glowing, and so are the tourists. Everywhere. From sunrise hikes on Lion’s Head to the queue outside Truth Coffee, the Mother City feels like it’s hosting a family reunion where everyone actually showed up, but don’t panic.

With the right mix of strategy, humour, and a touch of local know-how, you can still have the best time of your life without feeling like you’ve joined a very enthusiastic tour group.

Let’s start with expectations. Yes, it’s busy. Table Mountain’s cable car line can resemble a mini music festival, and Camps Bay looks like a sunscreen advert come to life. But there’s a reason people flock here: Cape Town in summer is dazzling. The trick isn’t to fight the crowds, but to outsmart them.

Time is your secret weapon

The golden rule? Mornings are magic. Hit popular spots before the rest of humanity wakes up. Lions’ Head at sunrise? You’ll share the trail with fitness fanatics and a few sleepy photographers, not half of Instagram.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens before 09:00 is pure bliss with birdsong, dew, and space to breathe. By midday, it’s picnic-blanket bingo.

If you’re more of a night owl, go late. Camps Bay after sunset still hums with life, but the daytime selfie battalions will have moved on to dinner. The beaches are cooler, quieter, and painted in that soft Cape Town twilight glow that makes you question every other city you’ve ever visited. 

Beaches: Know when to fold (your towel)

Clifton and Camps Bay are glamorous but get packed faster than a half-price Woolworths sale. For more elbow room, sneak off to Llandudno. It’s beautiful, dramatic, and usually less crowded thanks to the steep walk down. If you’ve got wheels, head to Noordhoek or Scarborough, where the sand stretches forever and the vibe is delightfully low-key.

Just keep your valuables out of sight, as Cape Town’s ocean breeze occasionally brings opportunists along with it.

Getting around without losing your cool

Traffic in peak season can test the patience of a saint. Renting a car gives you freedom, but also a front-row seat to Cape Town’s creative driving.

Stick to off-peak times for road trips, which means leaving early for Cape Point or Chapman’s Peak Drive, and you’ll get those dreamy coastal views without spending the day behind a tour bus.

For shorter hops, use the MyCiTi bus. It’s clean, safe, and air-conditioned, which is more than can be said for your average minibus taxi. Bolt and Uber work well too, especially at night when parking becomes a gladiator sport. Just confirm your driver and route before you hop in. A bit of street sense goes a long way here.

Booking is not optional

In high season, “walk-in” is a dangerous phrase. Restaurants, wine estates, and tours fill up weeks in advance. Book your Table Mountain tickets online, reserve your Cape Point entry time, and if you want to eat anywhere with actual cutlery, make a booking.

This isn’t the time for spontaneous fine dining unless you enjoy standing in doorways looking hopeful.

Local tricks for keeping your sanity

Avoid the V&A Waterfront on weekends unless you love crowds and live music echoing off designer stores. Visit on a weekday morning instead, when it still feels like a harbour rather than a concert venue.

The same goes for the Old Biscuit Mill - it’s brilliant, but Saturday mornings are basically a hipster stampede. Go later in the day when the food queues have thinned and the craft gin stalls are feeling generous.

When it’s too hot or too crowded, swap the city for nature. A short drive can get you to Silvermine, Constantia Greenbelt, or the Tokai Forest trails - shady, peaceful, and free from the chaos. Bring a picnic, a book, and the smug satisfaction of not being stuck in traffic.

Stay safe, stay savvy

Cape Town is mostly friendly and relaxed, but street smarts are essential. Don’t flash jewellery or fancy cameras in busy areas, keep your bag zipped, and leave passports in your accommodation safe.

Stick to well-lit streets after dark and use trusted transport options. Locals will tell you the same thing: confidence and awareness go further than paranoia.

Embrace the chaos (it’s part of the charm)

Here’s the thing: Cape Town’s high season isn’t about escaping people. It’s about joining the city at full throttle. The laughter spilling from Long Street bars, the buskers at the Waterfront, the families picnicking in Sea Point, that’s the city alive.

You can find quiet corners, but don’t hide from the energy completely. It’s infectious. So pack your patience, your sunnies, and your sense of humour. Cape Town in high season might be crowded, but it’s crowded for a reason. It’s that rare mix of mountain, ocean, wine, and wonder that makes even traffic jams scenic.

You’ll go home sun-kissed, slightly sand-covered, and probably planning your return… Next time, maybe just book for spring.