Cape Town Weather in December 2026
“The kind of pleasant weather you build a trip around.”
Roughly 5 rainy days across the month, on average.
December locks Cape Town into peak summer with 24.1C/75F afternoons, 16.2C/61F warm evenings, and a sun-drenched 13.1 hours of daylight per day. Rainfall drops to a token 26mm across 4.8 days, mostly clearing before dawn on frontless southerly setups. The Cape Doctor southeaster owns the calendar this month, gusting 40 to 60 knots across the Peninsula on classic tablecloth days when white cloud pours over Table Mountain and drops onto the City Bowl below.
Capetownians hit Camps Bay or Llandudno for sunset then Clifton Fourth Beach for wind shelter behind the granite boulders, since the southeaster there gets deflected clean off the sand. Table Mountain cable car closes on 30-knot gusts, which happens roughly one day in three. Boat trips to Robben Island cancel more than half of southeaster mornings, so book flexible tickets. Restaurant patios in the V&A Waterfront become impossible in heavy gusts, and locals move inland to Franschhoek for windless valley lunches.
Over the past decade, December mean temperatures have risen 0.9C with heatwave days above 35C now occurring in most summers versus rare in the 2010s. Southeaster frequency has held steady but individual gust events have intensified with a warmer Karoo interior. For 2026, SAWS extended outlooks flag a warm-to-hot December with an elevated southeaster count, and Working on Fire has already warned Peninsula fire risk will run high through the holiday period based on veld moisture readings.
For 2026 travelers, December is Cape Town at full commercial tilt: expect Camps Bay guesthouse rates triple winter prices, restaurant bookings needed 10 days ahead across Bree and Kloof Streets, and Chapman's Peak drive congestion any afternoon. Value seekers should base in Woodstock or Observatory and use MyCiTi buses to reach the Atlantic seaboard beaches.
Bo-Kaap houses are painted for Eid, not Instagram; ask before photographing. Load shedding schedules on EskomSePush app dictate restaurant hours. The MyCiTi bus is safe; metrorail is not. Long Street is a mess at night; Bree Street and Kloof Street have real cocktail bars. Table Mountain hike via Platteklip is punishing; take the cable car up and Skeleton Gorge down through Kirstenbosch instead. Chapman's Peak drive is often closed for rockfall.
What to pack for Cape Town in December
Peak summer plus gale-force winds demand practical hot-weather gear:
- Wind-cutting sunglasses to handle sandblast at Camps Bay
- Light quick-dry shirts for 24C days and southeaster dust
- Sturdy sandals with heel straps; flip-flops blow away in Cape Doctor gusts
- Wide-brim hat with chin cord for windswept viewpoints
- Light cardigan for 16C evenings inland at Winelands dinners
What to pack for Cape Town in December
- →Breathable travel pantsAmazon · shop this
- →Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50Amazon · shop this
- →Polarized sunglassesAmazon · shop this
- →Universal travel adapterAmazon · shop this
- →Compression packing cubesAmazon · shop this
- →Anti-theft crossbody bagAmazon · shop this
We may earn a small commission on any purchase — it doesn't change the price you pay.
Where to stay in Cape Town
We don't review individual hotels — plenty of people do that well. What we do is send you to compare rooms in Cape Town across trusted platforms.
Compare hotels on Booking.com→Estimated December trip to Cape Town
Peak season prices — book early or shift by 2–3 weeks to save. Rule-based estimates from a couple based in London — actual prices vary.
We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no cost to you. Estimates use rule-based averages; check partner sites for live pricing.
Delayed flight to Cape Town?
Flights to Cape Town in December can be delayed by storms. Claim up to €600 if yours is 3+ hours late. EU regulations cover flights departing from or arriving in the EU/UK.
Check compensation eligibility →Free check · Only pay if you get paid · Powered by Compensair.
Plan your Cape Town trip
Handpicked services from partners we trust. One tab for everything you'll need after the flight is booked.
Compare rooms in Cape Town on Booking.com.
Skip-the-line tickets, day trips, food walks and guided tours.
Compare fares with cashback on every booking.
Instant data on arrival — no roaming charges, no SIM swap.
Flexible monthly coverage for trips of any length.
Compare 900+ rental brands with free cancellation.
Book a driver in advance — fixed price, no queue.
We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no cost to you.
Things worth doing
Clifton Fourth Beach for wind-sheltered sunbathing between granite boulders; Franschhoek wine tram for windless valley lunches inland; Kirstenbosch summer sunset concerts on Sundays; Boulders Beach penguin colony early morning before crowds; sundowners at Camps Bay palm-lined promenade watching the tablecloth form.
December vs. the rest of the year
How this month compares in Cape Town. Tap any month to read more.
highlighted months are among the best time to visit.
Best time to visit Cape Town
December is one of the best months to visit Cape Town — alongside January, February, November. 11-year climate data (2015–2025) confirms it: comfortable temperatures, manageable rainfall, and a healthy dose of sunshine.
See the full best-time-to-visit guide for Cape TownOther places with a similar climate right now
Cape Town in December — FAQ
Q01Is December a good time to visit Cape Town?
Is December a good time to visit Cape Town?
Yes — this is one of the best months of the year to visit. In December, Cape Town averages a high of 24°C (75°F) and a low of 16°C (61°F), with 26mm of rainfall across roughly 5 rainy days. Late March into early April end-of-summer; Cape Doctor southeaster calms, whale season starts near Hermanus, and vineyard harvest brings free tastings.
Q02What is the average temperature in Cape Town in December?
What is the average temperature in Cape Town in December?
The average high temperature in Cape Town during December is 24°C (75°F), with an average low of 16°C (61°F). These figures are averaged from 11 complete years of daily records (2015–2025, Open-Meteo Archive). July winter storms bring surf swell to Muizenberg; locals fill Old Biscuit Mill on Saturdays and hike Lion's Head clear-day weekends only.
Q03How many rainy days does Cape Town have in December?
How many rainy days does Cape Town have in December?
Cape Town averages approximately 5 rainy days in December, with a total monthly rainfall of about 26mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days.
Q04What should I pack for Cape Town in December?
What should I pack for Cape Town in December?
For Cape Town in December, pack layered clothing for changing temperatures, sunscreen and sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on 11 complete years of weather averages for this specific month. A serious windbreaker with drawcord hood; Table Mountain summit wind hits 60kmh even on calm-forecast days and drops your temperature 15C.
Q05How crowded is Cape Town in December?
How crowded is Cape Town in December?
Tourist crowds in Cape Town during December are typically moderate — winter is high season for tropical destinations. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely. Bo-Kaap houses are painted for Eid, not Instagram; ask before photographing. Load shedding schedules on EskomSePush app dictate restaurant hours. The MyCiTi bus is safe; metrorail is not. Long Street is a mess at night; Bree Street and Kloof Street have real cocktail bars. Table Mountain hike via Platteklip is punishing; take the cable car up and Skeleton Gorge down through Kirstenbosch instead. Chapman's Peak drive is often closed for rockfall.