Last Updated on July 26, 2024 by Hannah Stephenson
December to February is the peak tourist season in Cape Town and I will say, it’s a great time to visit. The weather is hot, the nightlife is buzzing, and everyone’s in a celebratory mood.
With that being said, I also really enjoy Cape Town during the winter, and I actually think there are some big advantages to visiting then.
Winter in Cape Town is cool rather than cold. And while winter isn’t as great for going to the beach, there are some activities that are definitely more enjoyable when the temperature is lower.
The first time a friend came to visit me in Cape Town, it was the middle of winter, so I was a little worried about filling 10 days. However, we had an absolute blast!
After the warm, busy, social summers in Cape Town, the winter sometimes provides a nice bit of respite. Things are quieter and more relaxed, which we all need sometimes.
What is winter in Cape Town like?
Honestly? Not that bad.
The coldest month is July, when temperatures average between 11 and 22 degrees Celsius, so you do still get some pretty nice days. And yes, it does rain more often during the winter, but not all the time. Plus, there are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy!
You also get a few days here and there when it gets hot again and you’ll find yourself reaching for your swimsuit and sunscreen.
During the middle of winter, the sunset is around 6 pm, compared to 8 pm in the summer.
The Advantages of Visiting Cape Town During Winter
1. It’s Better for Hiking
There are some stunning hikes in Cape Town, but personally I find it really difficult to enjoy a hike when I’m sweating like a pig.
As long as there hasn’t been a lot of rain, it’s much nicer to hike in Cape Town during the winter because the temperature is so much more comfortable. Plus, the hiking trails are much quieter!
The trail up to Kloof Corner doesn’t get too muddy during the winter, so that’s a good one to tackle. I’ve also done the Newlands Ravine in the middle of winter and the ground was nice and firm.
I often do the Lion’s Head Contour Loop during the winter, as it’s flat so it doesn’t matter if the ground is a little soft.
I would try to avoid hiking the day after it has rained, but you should be able to fit in a few good hikes.
2. There are Fewer Tourists
Cape Town can get pretty busy during the summer because domestic and international tourists flock to the city. This can mean long ticket queues for Table Mountain, a long wait to find a table at the Oranjezicht Market, and the need to book tours and accommodation further in advance.
However, Cape Town is a lot quieter during the winter so you don’t have to share the city with as many others!
3. It’s Cheaper
Obviously, accommodation prices are cheaper during the winter because demand is lower, but you can also save money on eating out, too.
Lots of cafes and restaurants introduce weekly specials during the winter to get butts on chairs, so you can save money this way, too.
There’s also less demand for Uber rides and rental cars, which can also make a difference to your budget.
4. Red, red wine
Okay, obviously you can enjoy red wine at any time of the year during Cape Town, but it really is more enjoyable in the winter.
Going wine tasting when it’s too hot often just makes you wish you were at the beach instead, but in the winter there’s really nothing better than visiting a beautiful wine farm and sampling all of their best reds. And the same goes for drinking red in restaurants, or even at home!
5. There are still many indoor activities to enjoy
Cape Town is a fantastic outdoor destination, but there’s also plenty to enjoy inside. The city is home to some incredible bars, cafes, and restaurants, as well as wine farms, shopping, and museums.
If it’s raining outside, you can easily find something fun to do indoors instead. There are tons of fun place to go gin tasting or beer tasting, too.
6. Whale watching
Winter is the best time to see whales in Cape Town!
Humpback whales migrate here between June and October to mate and give birth to their young, and there are a ton of places to see them from. You can see whales from Camps Bay or Clifton, or you can venture further south along the Cape Peninsula and see them around Simon’s Town or Muizenberg.
We saw whales when we went to visit the penguin colony at Boulders Beach in July, which was an amazing surprise!
Hermanus, a coastal town about 2 hours southeast of Cape Town, is widely considered to be the best place to see whales in the Western Cape. The Hermanus Whale Festival takes place every year, usually at the end of September, and it celebrates the beauty of the natural environment and the commitment of the local community to protecting whales. You can even go on a horseback whale watching tour!
The Festival includes talks from marine experts, treasure hunts for families, a 10-kilometre fun run, live music, a street parade, an arts and crafts fair, and a food festival celebrating the best local restaurants.
7. It’s not as windy
Cape Town can get hella windy during the summer. You’ll hear people talking about the Cape Doctor, a strong south-easterly wind that blows all of the pollution away, giving Cape Town much cleaner air than many other parts of South Africa.
Although Cape Doctor might be good news for your lungs, he can also give you a face full of sand, mess with your beach umbrella, or even cause your beach flip flops to blow away (yep, that really happened to a friend of mine…) In fact, last summer, the wind blew an entire panel of glass out of my balcony door – it was THAT strong!
The Cape Doctor has his advantages, but it can be nice to get a respite from the wind during the winter, especially if you want to hike or have drinks outdoors. It can still be windy, but the winds are rarely as strong in the winter as they are during the summer.
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