Winter in the southern hemisphere, which lasts from May to August, is the ideal season for a trip to South Africa. Temperatures are mild, ranging between 15 and 25 degrees; pleasantly warm days are followed by balmy evenings. It is therefore not surprising that the "cold season" is considered South Africa's secret season.

Cape Town in Secret Season: a real travel tip for the European summer! © Taryn Elliott

And then there is Cape Town itself: an exciting city that impresses with its diversity and vibrancy. You visit art galleries, fall in love with South African cuisine and taste wonderful local wines. Off the coast, waves are waiting to be ridden, while in the background Table Mountain rises into the sky imposingly. And if you love animals, watch the cute penguin colony on the beach in Simon's Town or gaze out to sea - because winter is whale season around Cape Town.

Related: Cape Town by Leo Hillinger

Where to stay: Relais & Châteaux Ellerman House

Ellerman House, with its direct ocean view, was once the residence of a magnate; today it is open to guests from all over the world as a luxurious boutique hotel. © Ellerman House

Cape Town's upscale Bantry Bay district is home to the Relais & Châteaux Ellerman House, a boutique hotel that is as luxurious as it is steeped in history. Once the residence of the magnate Sir John and his wife, the stately building is now an exclusive hideaway in the urban jungle - with a direct sea view that can be enjoyed from the large terrace. Guests are accommodated in eleven differently designed rooms, two suites and two villas. And if you love art, you'll love the hotel's own Contemporary Art Gallery, which features contemporary South African works - it's probably the largest private collection in the country. The palate then gets its money's worth in the hotel's own Wine Gallery, which houses 7,500 labels as well as the specially laced red wine "The Ellerman."

Related: This is how beautiful the new Ellerman House in Cape Town is

Terrace with a view: at Ellerman House, you can enjoy great views of the Atlantic Ocean. © Ellerman House

30 years Ellerman House

Ellerman House celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2022 - as part of that celebration, guests can expect numerous culinary pop-ups and live cooking sessions led by top chef Peter Tempelhoff and executive chef Kieran Whyte. Don't miss this!

Relais & Châteaux Ellerman House
180 Kloof Road, Bantry Bay 8005, Cape Town, South Africa
Web: ellerman.co.za
Tel.: +27 21 430 3200
Price: Double room from € 660,- per night incl. breakfast, drinks and transfer

Book now

Where to eat

The Pot Luck Club

Located directly above Test Kitchen, it-spot The Pot Luck Club invites you to eclectic cuisine. Chef Jason Kosmas creates tapas-style dishes based on typical delicacies from South America, Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean. 
thepotluckclub.co.za 

Skotness Restaurant

Art lovers will already have recognized the name: the restaurant and café in the Norval Foundation was named after Cecil Skotness, the South African artist. Traditional dishes from the Cape are served, and for a taste of art, head to the gallery next door.
norvalfoundation.org 

Top Things-to-do in Cape Town

Whale Watching in Hermanus

Winter is the ideal time to experience the marine mammals up close, because the months between May and August are the mating season. This is when the right and humpback whales migrate from the Antarctic north to the coast of South Africa. The whale capital is the village of Hermanus, about an hour and a half from Cape Town.

Cape surfing

Around Cape Town, numerous beaches attract surfers of all levels. © Ante Hamersmit

The cross currents and offshore winds provide ideal conditions during the winter months  - surfers can look forward to perfect waves. Popular surf spots are Muizenberg, Bloubergstrand, Big Bay at Table Bay or the Dungeons in Hout Bay for professionals.

Visit Long Street

On Long Street, countless cute cafes and great bars, restaurants and boutiques await on the roadside, especially in the evening the street comes to life. Must-see is the Pan African Market: here you can find African brands - from jewellery to cloths and clothing to wooden macs and figurines.

Climb table mountain

The iconic Table Mountain dominates Cape Town's cityscape. © Janan Lagerwall

Around Cape Town, there are numerous great hiking areas, but the absolute highlight is the local mountain of the metropolis: Table Mountain, which is 430 million years old. It offers wonderful views of the city and the surrounding landscape. If you want to exert yourself a little, you can reach the summit via the steep Platteklip Gorge hiking trail. Alternatively, you can take the cable car for around 8 euros each way.

Driving to the Winelands

They are among the most beautiful wine-growing regions in South Africa: in the winelands around Cape Town, the largest wine-growing area stretches from Constantia to Worcester. Numerous wineries and historic buildings gather there, inviting you to tours and tastings. A must-do during a Cape Town trip!

Enjoy a beach day at Camps Bay

A beach day at Camps Bay turns what was supposed to be a winter day into a "heyday." © Brianna R

Camps Bay is set against the backdrop of the Twelve Apostles mountain range in Cape Town's most exclusive district. With its fine, white sand, it is ideal for a leisurely beach picnic - and if you don't mind the cold, you can jump into the 15- to 20-degree water of the Atlantic.

Day trip to the Cape of Good Hope

Sailors once feared it, but today tourists from all over the world flock there to marvel at its beauty: The Cape of Good Hope lies about 45 kilometres south of Cape Town. The Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean meet here, a magical sight! This is best enjoyed in the nature reserve, at the viewpoint of Cape Point with its high cliff and the enchanting lighthouse.

Penguin watching in Simon's Town

Droll: The penguins in Simon's Town have become a real tourist attraction. © Casey Allen

Simon's Town, a suburb of Cape Town, is home to spectacled penguins - the colony settled here in 1983 and has since become a real attraction. They live at Boulders Beach and Foxy Beach. There are also two beautiful beaches in the region for swimming. Good to know: Simon's Town can also be reached by public transport!