Early summer · Weather & things to do
Cape Town in December
Cape Town edges warmer than November, with highs of 69°F (21°C), lows of 63°F (17°C) and about 0.5 in (12 mm) of rain.
At 94/100 for comfort (6th of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 69°F (21°C)
- Avg low
- 63°F (17°C)
- Rain
- 0.5 in (12 mm)
- Humidity
- 78%
- Cloud cover
- 27%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 15 min
- Comfort score
- 94/100 · Great
What December feels like
Highs near 69°F (21°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
Lows average 63°F (17°C).
It's one of the drier stretches, with only about 0.5 in (12 mm) of rain.
Clear skies are common, with cloud cover averaging only 27%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 13 mph (5.6 m/s) at ground level.
Plan around December
December is one of Cape Town's best months on the climate data.
- Longest days of the year, about 14 h 15 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 99/100 in November to 94/100.
- December sits inside the Oct – Apr window our Cape Town, Winelands & Garden Route recommends.
What to pack for December
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 63°F
- Windproof shellaverage wind 13 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Cape Town in December
December is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Zeitz MOCAA
Contemporary African art inside a converted grain silo, with a striking carved atrium.
Truth Coffee Roasting
Steampunk-styled roastery and cafe in the city center, serving house-roasted single origins.
Bo-Kaap
Hillside quarter of bright houses and mosques, the historic heart of the Cape Malay community.
Boulders Beach
Sheltered coves near Simon's Town home to a colony of African penguins, viewed from boardwalks.
Why now December scores 94/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Gardens of native fynbos on the eastern slope of Table Mountain, with a canopy walkway called the Boomslang.
Why now Highs near 69°F and 0.5 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Nearby in December
- Stellenbosch & Franschhoek in December~25 mi · highs 78°F, 0.8 in rain · 5°C (9°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Knysna & Plettenberg Bay in December~265 mi · highs 80°F, 1.5 in rain · 6°C (10°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Cape Town in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Cape Town?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 94/100. Expect highs of 69°F (21°C) and 0.5 in (12 mm) of rain. December is inside the Oct – Apr window our Cape Town, Winelands & Garden Route recommends.
How hot is Cape Town in December?
Average highs are 69°F (21°C) and average lows 63°F (17°C), making it the 4th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Cape Town in December?
Not much: about 0.5 in (12 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 19.3 in (489 mm).
What should I pack for Cape Town in December?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 63°F), windproof shell (average wind 13 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in December
- Cape Town, Winelands & Garden Route Oct – Apr
Planning Cape Town in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.