Cape Town South Africa December Travel Guide

Nov 09, 2025 0

Cape Town is easily one of the most captivating cities in the world. If you’re planning your first trip, this Cape Town travel guide will help you feel prepared and excited for an unforgettable adventure.

Best Time to Visit Cape Town

A Cape Town holiday is best during peak summer from December to February. Cape Town experiences its hottest weather in December, and you can expect clear skies, long days, and perfect beach holiday weather. By February, the peak holiday season in Cape Town is coming to an end and popular destinations are less crowded.

March is not too hot, not too windy, and not too wet. Late April to early June has crisp and clear days, perfect for a hiking trip. Autumn arrives in the city in April & May, and this is when to go to Cape Town to explore the many indoor markets, live music venues and restaurants.

The best time for a Cape Town foodie safari is from late June to August. A food and wine holiday is best from late June to August - dine at world-class eateries and go wine tasting in the gorgeous Cape Winelands. June is the first month of winter, but you may be surprised by how much sunshine you can enjoy during these months.

The best time for a whale watching holiday is from July to September when migratory southern right whales arrive along the coastline. August sees the last of the winter rains as the temperatures slowly start to rise and things begin to heat up for spring. Spring officially starts in the Mother City in September. You can expect mild days, but evenings can still be cool.

Read also: Planning Your Trip to Cape Town

October offers mild weather. The warm, sunny climate is good for visiting the beaches (which are still uncrowded) and enjoying outdoor activities. In November things start to heat up. This is when to go to Cape Town for a peaceful beach getaway, skipping the crowds, and maybe even combining Cape Town with the celebrated Garden Route.

January is the best time to visit Cape Town for any outdoor activity - Hout Bay, Muizenberg and the powder-soft sand beaches of Clifton and Camp's Bay are jam packed during this time. It's the perfect month for balmy beach weather on the southern tip of Africa.

Unless you want to pay a premium for accommodation and have your plans set months in advance, I’d strongly suggest you avoid the Christmas and New Year holidays. February is the sweet spot where summer is still in full-swing, but Cape Town is easing out of peak season.

Getting Around Cape Town

Cape Town is a vast, sprawling city with lots to explore in every different corner. The Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is located about 20 km (12.5 miles) from the city center. There are also a lot of vehicles on the road, especially during peak season.

That being said, the cost of transportation is inexpensive for foreigners spending USD, Euro, etc.

Read also: Cape Town Hotel Experience

Here are several ways to get around the city:

Uber: Uber is one of the best ways to get around Cape Town. Uber is widely used and very affordable. The distances between most of the top attractions are short, making it a cost-effective option for your trip. For example, a ride from the airport to my apartment in DeWaterkant cost me just R250 (~$14 USD) in 2025. Always check that the car number matches your app before you get in. And don’t expect the nicest vehicles.
My CitiBus: Another affordable way to get around the city is with the My CitiBus service. Cape Town has a variety of different privately-owned bus services, but MyCiti is by far the most popular for getting around. You can buy a transport code from one of the stations and top it up as you go. Note the MyCiti buses don’t accept cash, so you’ll need your own myconnect card to travel around.
Rent a Car: Cape Town is rather spread out and with many things to do around the Cape and beyond, I recommend renting a car. Rental cars in Cape Town are inexpensive compared to prices in the US or Europe. We use Discover Cars to search and compare prices from all the rental car options in the area, and have found it generally saves us money in the long run. Gas stations accept both cash and credit, but not all. There will be a sign outside telling you if they accept credit or not, but it’s a good idea to always have some cash on you just in case.
Rent a Scooter: Scooters and Vespas are very popular in Cape Town.

Safety Tips for Tourists

Before you ask… yes, there is crime in Cape Town, just like in any major city. As with any major city, there are safer areas of town and areas that you need to be more cautious in.

Most of the crime in Cape Town is opportunistic. This means that if you make it easy for them, people will take advantage of you. All that being said, this city has far too much to offer to let fear discourage you from visiting. If you are smart and stay aware, you likely won’t run into any trouble.

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

Never walk alone after dark, no matter where you are staying.
Muggings are not unheard of in Cape Town.
If parking on the street overnight, be sure to empty your car of everything in view from the windows.
When driving through downtown city center, don’t use your cell phone next to an open car window.
Keep your car doors locked when driving.
Always be aware of your surroundings - this includes watching your alcohol consumption.

Currency and Insurance

Currency: The national currency is the South African Rand (shown as R).
Credit cards are widely accepted, including your American Express card. A word of caution: As in most places, you need to be careful about credit card fraud, but in South Africa in particular. There are a lot of instances of card numbers getting stolen and used after you’ve swiped. Use a tap-to-pay app like Apple or Google Pay to protect yourself. Never use money exchanges, especially not at airports, as these take a large cut and the exchange rates are usually outrageous. Cash may not even be necessary depending on your stay. Last time I visited Cape Town for 3 months and didn’t take out any cash at all.
Insurance: It’s always a good idea to have travel insurance when traveling abroad. Especially especially in a place like Cape Town where you’re likely to be having some active adventures and petty crime is also an unfortunate possibility.

Where to Stay in Cape Town

Cape Town is a bustling city, full of life! Because of that, there are so many different neighborhoods to explore. You’ll find that most of the hotels and accommodation offerings are centered near the beaches or the V&A Waterfront area.

Read also: Luxury Shopping in South Africa

In short, if it is your first time visiting Cape Town, The Waterfront and Sea Point are the most popular neighborhood choices. You’ll be near many big attractions, making these super convenient areas to base yourself. If you are a return traveler, or just looking for a more residential area, I recommend looking into Green Point (more budget-friendly).

However, there are some magical luxury and boutique hotels (and ultra-romantic hotels!) around Cape Town that are worth a little extra drive for a stunning, relaxing, and serene atmosphere.

Top 10 Luxury Hotels In Cape Town for 2025: Best Places To Stay in Cape Town.

Hotel Recommendations:

POD Camps Bay: POD Camps Bay is a stunning boutique hotel, situated right on Camps Bay beach! It’s walkable to a choice of restaurants and bars, plus their breakfast is top-notch.
Curiocity Backpackers: Located in the city center, this chic hostel is perfect for budget travelers. Take your pick from a selection of en-suite private rooms, dormitories, and air-conditioned pod accommodations. From premium deluxe rooms to communal backpackers and hostel suites, Curiocity caters to all budgets and group sizes.
VRBO Rentals: VRBO rentals are abundant in Cape Town and offer some beautiful properties at affordable prices!
Tintswalo Atlantic: Known as Cape Town’s hidden gem, Tintswalo is a 5-star award-winning lodge that offers views, unlike any other. It’s located a little out of town in Hout Bay, but all the rooms offer an incredible view of the Atlantic Ocean and make you feel like you are at home. You can whale watch out of the comfort of your own room!
The Silo Hotel: The Silo Hotel is an old grain silo that was open from 1924 to 2001. It was then turned into a luxurious hotel consisting of 28 rooms including a one-bedroom penthouse. The room categories range from the silos rooms, including harbor views and a balcony, to the royal suites which featured 2 bedrooms and a balcony.
The Twelve Apostles Hotel: Nestled at the foot of the iconic Table Mountain, this hotel is a luxury escape in the heart of Cape Town. Interested in sipping tea by the sea in an outdoor gazebo? Twelves Apostles can make that happen. The award-winning luxury resort offers stunning rooms and exquisite dining.
Ellerman House: With only 13 rooms, the Ellerman House focuses heavily on customer service and paying attention to detail. Rates include breakfast, drinks, wine tasting, a minibar, and a private chef.
South Beach Camps Bay: South Beach is a gorgeous collection of waterfront apartments in Camps Bay. As you can imagine, they are fairly luxurious and have modern amenities, flat-screen TVs, free WI-FI, oceanfront views, and continental breakfast served in-room.

Where to Eat in Cape Town

One of my favorite things about Cape Town is that the city has an almost endless list of places to eat. And don’t get me started on the Cape Town markets! Cape Town also has an incredible coffee culture. There are loads of cute cafes all around the CBD and the city is even home to one of the best coffee shops in the world!

Important Note: For the majority of restaurants in Cape Town you will need to make a booking ahead of time to secure your spot (especially if visiting during summer!). It is not as common for places to save tables for walk-ins.

Coffee Shops:

Truth Coffee: Grab your daily cup of joe at Truth Coffee!
Tribe Coffee: Tribe is an exceptional café in the heart of Cape Town.
Bootlegger Coffee: A small chain across Cape Town, Bootlegger coffee shops have quickly become my favorite.
Jason’s Bakery: I highly recommend The Bomb Breakfast and Jason’s Bakery.

Restaurants and Markets:

Kleinsky’s Delicatessen (Sea Point): An authentic New York-style deli serving up all your favorite deli specialties like bagels and rubens.
Pizza Shed (downtown): Neapolitan-style pizza with the fluffiest crust you could imagine.
Giovanni’s (Green Point): A classic Italian deli and local secret.
Mojo Market (Sea Point): Giant indoor food hall that houses 30+ food stalls serving up cuisine from all over the world.
Time Out Market (Waterfront): The global brand has opened its doors in Cape Town.
Neighbourgoods Market (Woodstock): Very similar to the above but in a different location at the Old Biscuit Mill, this market is only open on weekends.
Reverie Social Table (Observatory): 5 courses, 1 table, and a bunch of soon-to-be-friends. This is how dining works at this exquisite, local-run establishment.
Chef’s Warehouse: Renowned Chef Liam Tomlin, opened a series of restaurants, co-owned with other masterful chefs. They serve a set menu of fine dining global tapas for two. His buzzed-about restaurants have locations in downtown Cape Town, Constantia, Hout Bay, and Franschhoek.
Jason Bakery (Green Point): This coffee shop and bakery sells freshly made pastries daily. Their Sunday brunch is ahhh-mazing as is their Royal Tea experience (that comes with a surprising amount of delicious food!).
Clark’s: Perfect for breakfast or brunch!
Bootlegger: It’s not just a coffee joint.
Loading Bay: Located on the Waterfront, the Loading Bay is a beautiful place to grab a quick morning meal.
Bobo’s Brasserie: Bobo’s Brasserie is a good beachfront spot in Mouille Point that’s perfect for brunch or lunch.
The Old Biscuit Mill: The Old Biscuit Mill is a heartfelt collaboration between chefs, designers, photographers, and other artists in and around town.
Oranjezicht City Farm Market: The Oranjezicht Market is open every Saturday and Sunday and has quickly become my favorite market in the city.
Test Kitchen: Located in The Old Biscuit Mill, The Test Kitchen is a blend of South African and Latin cuisine with inventive dishes.
Shortmarket Club: With the same owners as The Pot Luck Club and The Test Kitchen, this restaurant is another big hit.
The Stack: Named one of the top restaurants in Cape Town, you can’t go wrong with a visit to The Stack.
Kloof Street House: Located at the foot of the city’s vibrant Kloof Street, is a beautiful Victorian house.
Tjing Tjing: A 200-year-old house in the heart of Cape Town is where you’ll find some of the best Japanese food in the city.
Hesheng: For authentic Chinese food on a budget, visit Hesheng in Sea Point.
Kyoto Garden: An award-winning Japanese restaurant in the trendy suburb of Gardens.
Obi: Located on Cape Town’s vibrant Long Street, Obi serves up some of the city’s best ramen and sushi.
Hokey Poke: From the shores of Hawaii to Cape Town is the latest trend to hit the city: poke bowls.
Cod Father: Codfather Seafood & Sushi is a lively restaurant that’s always full of hungry patrons.
Sevruga: With incredible views of Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, Sevruga is a delicious fine dining experience.

Bars:

Culture Wine Bar (downtown): If you can’t make it to a winery on your visit to Cape Town, you’ll want to go here to test out their large selection of local and imported wines.
The Art of Duplicity: A true speakeasy with an undisclosed location.
The Gin Bar (downtown): You’ll have to walk through Honest Chocolate Cafe (another good recommendation!) to enter this “secret” gin bar. With “more gins than you can shake a stick at” this place is the go-to spot for gin lovers in Cape Town.
The Drinkery (downtown): A cute little bar that is somewhat hidden (as in not very well marked) upstairs in Heritage Square on Shortmarket Street.
Village Idiot: If you want to grab a drink with the locals, head to The Village Idiot.
The Gin Bar: Tucked away behind Honest Chocolate in a hidden courtyard is The Gin Bar.
The Stack: Located in the center of Gardens, The Stack is one of Cape Town’s most Instagrammable bars.
The Silo Hotel Bar: The Silo Hotel has one of the best rooftop bars in Cape Town to watch the sunset.

Things to Do in Cape Town

You can’t run out of things to do in Cape Town. There are tons of things to do in Cape Town during the day, and the city doesn’t slow down after sunset. If you’re an adventure lover, it’s especially a great place for you-from water sports to hiking, windsurfing, paragliding, and helicopter tours, you can get your adrenaline fix.

Outdoor Activities and Sightseeing:

Take a drive along the beautiful coastal road to scenic Cape Point. The highway will take you through stunning coastal views-Muizenberg’s colorful beach huts, Kalk Bay, Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach (penguins!), Sentinel Peak and to the winding Chapman’s Peak Road.
You can hop on the cable car to scale nearby Table Mountain and see its panoramic views.
Cape Town is home to quite a few beautiful beaches. The most famous beach is Clifton 2nd located on the western coast.
Several companies offer scenic helicopter flights of Cape Town with stunning views of the city and the Cape!
Located an hour outside of Cape Town, the Atlantis Sand Dunes are the city’s best-kept secret.

Hiking Trails:

Lion’s Head: One of the more popular hikes in Cape Town is Lion’s Head.
Skelton Gorge: For a longer hike, make your way up Skelton Gorge.
Newlands Forest: There are multiple hikes that you can take inside Newlands Forest.
Kloof Corner: Only a 20-minute hike up the slopes of Table Mountain, this is one of the best short hikes in the city.

Cultural Experiences:

Since 2010, Woodstock has been the epicenter for street art, and these days you can hire a guide to take you around to see more than 40 pieces of artwork from local and international artists.
Take a trip a few hours out of the city and get your chance to see the Big 5 on a real African game drive!
Formerly known as the Malay Quarter, Bo Kaap is situated at the foot of Signal Hill. The colorful houses date back to the 1760s when rental houses were leased to slaves. Another great experience is a traditional Cape Malay meal at one of the many restaurants. These usually consist of fruit, spices, veggies, and meat.

Tours:

Meet like-minded female travelers and experience the brightest South African highlights on a luxurious and action-packed tour. TBA Escapes South Africa Tour is for all women with all levels of travel experience.

Length of Stay

1 week: This will give you a bit more wiggle room to relax.
10 days: Now we’re talking!
2 weeks: That’s more like it! With 2 weeks, you’ll have enough time to tackle a good bit of things to do from this list.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

South Africa is the perfect introduction to the African continent for LGBTQ+ travelers because unlike the rest of Africa, same-sex marriage is legal and there are legal protections against discrimination.