Like a Local
The extremes of wealth in Cape Town mean a chasm separates the life of a typical resident in Crossroads versus one in Clifton. However, there are opportunities for visitors to experience the city with insight and sensitivity to local communities of all circumstances.
Weekly Shopping
Joining the long-established Trafalgar
Place flower market and the bric-a-brac vendors at
Milnerton Flea Market is a trendy breed of artisan food and
designer goods and crafts markets.
Neighbourgoods – the original – remains one of the best,
although it’s so busy each Saturday you may prefer the outdoor
Oranjezicht City Farm ( MAP
GOOGLE MAP ; www.ozcf.co.za; Homestead
Park, Upper Orange St, Oranjezicht; 
h9am-2pm
Sat; 
gUpper
Orange) or
Tokai Forest markets. Muizenberg locals love to gather on
Friday nights for the bash at
Blue Bird Garage (with great live jazz), while the inhabitants
of Hout Bay do the same at the
Bay Harbour Market, also very popular during the day on
Saturday and Sunday. The
Cape Point Vineyards market on Thursday evening also draws
crowds.
Outdoor Activities
Capetonians take full advantage of the magnificent national park in the midst of their city, gathering for weekly hikes (set your alarm to join the 6am Wednesday hike up Lion’s Head, for example), sunbathing on beaches or picnics in parks. Don’t miss the chance to attend one of the vibey Sunday concerts held throughout the summer at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Surfing has a huge following. If you don’t know how, there are several operations ready to teach you in Muizenberg or Table Bay; the more ambitious can try kiteboarding or stand-up paddleboarding. Yachties will always be welcome to join in the Wednesday twilight races at the Royal Cape Yacht Club.
Cyclists should check out the monthly Moonlight Mass (www.moonlightmass.co.za) social bike ride, and Promenade Mondays at Sea Point.
Township Experiences
Numerous cultural tours will give you some insight into life in Cape Town's many poor townships; we particularly like the ones that get you out on the streets, such as the Run Cape Town 10km jog through Gugulethu, or Juma Mkwela's street-art tours in Khayelitsha. For a more immersive experience book a night in a township guesthouse or homestay (they’re all run by wonderful women), eat at a restaurant such as the buzzy braai (barbecue) joints Mzoli’s in Gugulethu or Nomzamo in Langa, or volunteer to assist with a charitable project.
Parties & Performances
All Capetonians love a jol (party) – preferably one that involves dressing up! The Mother City Queer Project (www.mcqp.co.za) (MCQP) in December and the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival and subsequent competitions in January and February are the biggest. Other regularly hosted themed parties and events include raucous Renegade Bingo (www.facebook.com/rbingo).
Attending a book launch at the Book Lounge or a concert at intimate spaces such as Studio 7, Straight No Chaser, Youngblood Africa or Alma Café are other entertaining ways to get down with locals. The First Thursdays and Thursday Late art gallery events turn parts of the City Bowl and Woodstock into roving street parties.