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I have a secret.

For the last couple of years, I’ve avoided winters in Cape Town.

At the beginning of each year, when I sketch out my travel plans, I make a point to book a trip somewhere warm.

In 2016, I spent the winter in Thailand.
In 2017, I bounced around Ireland, Turkey, Armenia, and Georgia.
In 2018, I spent the beginning of winter in Italy, Germany, Poland, and Amsterdam.
In 2019, I worked at a game lodge in Zambia and explored Reunion Island and Botswana.
In 2021, I escaped to Namibia for 3 months to plan my first group travel trip for Wander to Here.
In 2022, I went back to Europe for 3 months and finally visited the Palace of Versailles in France.

But despite my best attempts, I’ve discovered that I MISSED the cold weather.

Spending this past winter in Cape Town has made me realise how much the city has to offer at any time of the year.

Like having my first-ever snowball fight and photographing the Milky Way!

Me. The girl who somehow managed to turn on manual focus at the worst possible time got a CLEAR picture of the stars.

If I were a whiskey drinker, I would pour myself a Bell’s.

So if you’re in the Mother City for the first time or you’re a local like me looking to discover your own backyard, here are some of the best things to do in Cape Town in winter!

Table of Contents

What to Wear in Cape Town in Winter
Weather In Cape Town In Winter
Fun Things to Do in Cape Town in Winter
Where to Stay in Cape Town
- Budget Ballin’
- Budget Mid-Range

What to Wear in Cape Town in Winter

10 of the Best Things to do in Cape Town in Winter | Wanderlust Movement | #southafrica #capetown #traveltips #winter

Cape Town in the winter is cool to cold, and sunlight lasts from about 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

But the city is known for its unpredictable weather. You’ll want to pack layers that you can peel off when the day warms up and put back on once the sun sets.

Another thing you’ll need to dress for is Cape Town’s infamous “Cape Doctor”. It’s a strong south-easter wind that’s strong enough to blow you over, move your car across the freeway, and make the Mother City one of the world’s top destinations for kite surfing.

But the good news is that you don’t need to pack your thermals.

While temperatures can drop to 7ºC in the evenings, the days are usually sunny, with temperatures ranging from 18ºC to 21ºC.

Here are my top recommendations for what to wear in Cape Town in winter while you explore its top sights!

Waterproof hiking boots: No trip to Cape Town is complete without hiking one of the many scenic trails around the city. Bring a pair of waterproof hiking boots in case the winter rains make summiting Table Mountain or Lion’s Head more muddier than usual.

Sneakers: Even if you aren’t planning to conquer any mountains, you’ll still need a pair of comfortable shoes to explore the city. Support a local South African brand and pick up a pair of Vosk sneakers.

Warm jacket and jersey: You’ll need one to keep the Cape Doctor at bay. But you don’t need to bring the thickest jacket or jersey in your closet. Cape Town isn’t the Alps. A warm parka jacket and a chunky knit sweater will do the job.

Day bag: My favourite day bag for exploring is this one from Freedom of Movement. Not only is it a South African brand based in Cape Town, but it also has an anti-theft zip and can hold everything you need for the day. Your laptop, a water bottle, a raincoat, all your camera gear, and an endless supply of snacks.

T-shirts: It may be winter in Cape, but sometimes it feels more like summer. Be prepared for any unexpected warm weather by packing a few T-shirts to wear underneath your morning layers.

Optional: If you’re visiting Cape Town in winter, you might get lucky and see some snow on top of the surrounding mountains. But if you want to get closer, make sure you pack gloves, a scarf, and a layer to beat the chill.

Here’s a complete breakdown on what to pack for South Africa come rain or shine, winter or summer.

Weather In Cape Town In Winter

The winter season in South Africa runs from June to August.

So, just how cold is Cape Town in the winter?

Temperatures hover around 20°C in the day and drop to 10°C in the evenings.

The Mother City’s winter is mild compared to the rest of the country, but you’ll need a warm jacket to fend off the howling South Easter wind.

The colder months in Cape Town are perfect for budget travellers. It’s low season, and many wine farms offer accommodation and spa package deals, and Cape Town’s top restaurants have excellent winter specials.

However, the winter months are when Cape Town gets most of its rain. Pack a raincoat and go on hikes to check out the lush natural surroundings and wondrous waterfalls. If you want to go on an adventure, check the snow forecast and drive out to the mountains near Ceres to build a snowman!

Fun Things to Do in Cape Town in Winter

Cape Canopy Tour

Beat the winter chill and go on a 4-hour zip-lining adventure with Cape Canopy in the heart of the Hottentot Holland Mountains.

Located inside a World Heritage Site, and only a one-hour drive from Cape Town, it’s one of the best winter activities in Cape Town – especially if it snows!

I got lucky and experienced my first-ever white Christmas five months early.

The snow transformed the mountain range into a scene you would expect to find in New Zealand.

And it’s not every day you get to have snowball fights while zip-lining across some of the Western Cape’s most jaw-dropping scenery!

Go Whale Watching

Each year, between June and November, hundreds of southern right whales, humpback whales, and Bryde’s whales migrate along the coast of South Africa.

Sign up for a boat tour and get up close with the ocean’s gentle giants – it’s one of the best things to do in Cape Town in winter!

But if that’s out of your budget, take the train from Cape Town to False Bay.

It’s one of the top whale-watching spots, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see them up close when you ride between Muizenberg and Simon’s Town.

If you’ve got your own set of wheels, you can head up to one of the higher vantage points along the False Bay coastline. (My personal favourites are Boyes Drive and Cape Point.)

You’ll be having such a whale of a time that you won’t even notice that pesky south-easter wind.

And Narwhal, let’s take a second to appreciate my pun talents.

Psst…Want more whale-watching spots for your winter in Cape Town? Here you go:

Hermanus
Cape Agulhas
De Hoop Nature Reserve (do the Whale Trail hike!)
Witsand
The West Coast
The Garden Route

Take a Day Trip and See the Milky Way

Searching for winter activities in Cape Town that are off the beaten track?

Then it’s time to unleash your inner space nerd and go on an intergalactic adventure – just outside of the Mother City!

Head to the village of Sutherland. Located in the Karoo, it’s home to the largest telescope in the southern hemisphere and is famous worldwide for its excellent stargazing.

You can visit the South African Astronomical Observatory, sign up for a two-day stargazing tour, or grab your camera and capture the night’s sky by yourself.

A closer option to Cape Town is the Cederberg. The area is known for its collection of protected San Rock Art, the incredible Wolfberg Arch hike, and, with hardly any light pollution, it’s a stargazer’s heaven.

There’s also the Cederberg Observatory you can visit for free!

Book a night at Kagga Kamma. The lodge boasts an incredible sky deck, and you can hire a guide to teach you all about the constellations above. Budget travellers can bring along their tents, or they can splurge on their open-air star suite.

Go on a Day or Multi-Day Hike at Cape Point

Cape Point has some of the best hikes in Cape Town, and it’s the city’s quintessential winter activity!

Temperatures are mild, the days are clear, and the sun is (usually) out.

The only thing you need to worry about is the Cape Doctor. But if he has taken a few days off or is only blowing a few puffs – pack your best hiking shoes and head to Cape Point!

Inside the reserve, you’ll find two of the best overnight hikes in Cape Town.

You’ll get to stay in rustic overnight huts and walk past wildlife and dramatic coastal scenery.

But the hikes aren’t for the casual walker. You need to be comfortable walking more than 10 kilometres per day.

The Hoerikwaggo Trail is the shortest of the two. It’s 18.5 km long and will take you two days to complete. But if you have the time, you can stretch the hike to a 5-day trial (75km) that will take you from Cape Point to the top of Table Mountain.

The Cape of Good Hope Trail is a 2-day, 33 km hike. It’s a circular route that starts and ends at the Nature Reserve’s main gate, hugging the dramatic cliffs and wild beaches of False Bay.

You’ll have incredible views and not another human in sight!

Don’t have time for a multi-day hike? Visit Cape Point for the day.

There are moderate hiking trails around the reserve, visit the beaches (Diaz, Buffels, Maclear, and Olifantsbos), or you can take a trip up the funicular and visit the lighthouse for panoramic views over the peninsula.

Cape Point Entry Fees 2026

South Africans with ID: R110.00
SADC Nationals: R225.00
Internationals: R515.00

Explore Cape Town’s Museums

Sure, most of the things on this list are outdoor activities.

But what about when the Cape Doctor is howling, and all you want is to warm up?

Luckily, Cape Town has a bunch of museums to explore!

Warm up while learning about the city’s history, art scene, or sporting prowess.

Here are some of the best museums to visit in Cape Town in winter. You can also get FREE entry to most of these museums with the Cape Town City Pass!

District Six Museum | Address: 25A Buitenkant Street, Cape Town
Zeitz MOCAA Museum of Contemporary Art Africa | Address: V&A Waterfront Silo District, Cape Town

Robben Island Museum | Address: Robben Island

Bo-Kaap Museum | Address: 71 Wale St, Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town

Irma Stern Museum | Address: Cecil St, Cape Town

Iziko South African National Gallery | Address: 25 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens, Cape Town

Iziko Slave Lodge | Address: Corner of Adderley and Wale Streets, Cape Town

The Springbok Experience Rugby Museum | Address: Portswood Rd, Cape Town

Tackle a Day Hike

girl on top of kloof corner in cape town

Okay, so Lion’s Head is one of the most spectacular sunset spots in Cape Town – but it’s also the busiest.

If you’re looking for fun things to do in winter in Cape Town that aren’t super touristy, go up to Kloof Corner. It’s one of the easiest and best hiking trails in Cape Town.

It’s only a short 20-minute hike up the slopes of Table Mountain and boasts views of the Twelve Apostles and Camps Bay.

Beginning at Tafelberg Road, all you need to do is follow the steps up to the corner. The last part is the steepest, so make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes.

Pack some snacks, bring a bottle of your favourite wine, beer, or cider, and watch the sunset over the Mother City in style.

Tip: In the winter, the sunsets around 5:45 PM in Cape Town

Looking for a longer winter day hike? Add these trails to your itinerary:

Kasteelport
Tranquillity Cracks
India Venster
Skeleton Gorge
Cecilia Forest
Kloof Ridge
Chapman’s Peak
Woody Ravine

BONUS: Want to get out of the city for the day? Grab your permits for the Krom Rivier hike. It’s an hour outside of Cape Town and ends at a gorgeous waterfall.

Go on a Walking Tour of Cape Town

Cape Town is a city full of history.

And what better way to peel back its rainbow-coloured layers than with a walking tour!

The city centre is flat, it boasts incredible modern and colonial architecture, and there are loads of delicious coffee shops to keep you warm on the way.

Plus, you can choose a walking tour that suits YOUR interests:

Roam the city tasting South Africa’s multi-cultural cuisines.

Learn about the history of apartheid in Cape Town and visit the spot where Nelson Mandela gave his first speech as a free man.

Delve back deeper into the city’s past and meet the heroes and villains of the colonial era.

Stuff Your Face at the Food Markets

Ah, I love food.

I especially love food that I don’t have to cook.

And stuffing my face at one of Cape Town’s indoor markets is my idea of heaven on a cold winter’s day.

Try local delicacies like melktart, koeksisters, and avo on toast. Or warm up with a bowl of curry, Phad Thai, or a slice of pizza.

Here are my favourite food markets in Cape Town:

The Mojo Market

Located in Sea Point, Mojo Market is open 7-days a week. It’s right across the road from Promenade and hosts a series of free live music events. Inside the venue, you’ll find designer retail stores, fresh goods, and delicious food stalls.

Here are my top 3 stall picks:

All Thai’D Up

Hokey Poke

Tortilla Modern Mexican

Neighbourhood Goods Market

If you only have time for one food market, make sure it’s the Neighbourhood Goods Market. It’s open every Saturday from 09:00 to 15:00 and caters to all dietary needs.

Here are my top 3 stall picks:

Oh My Avo

Honest Chocolate

Oranjezicht City Farmer’s Market

The OZFM Market runs every Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm and is a Cape Town staple. Shop fresh local produce from farmers, stock up on delicious home-baked goods, and feast on a variety of treats from the traders.

What makes it a great winter activity in Cape Town is that it’s outside, but undercover. Even if it’s raining or the wind is blowing, you can still get out of the house and do something besides re-binging Community or Gossip Girl on Netflix.

Vegan Goods Market

Calling on plant-based Cape Townians! Have you been to the Vegan Goods Market in Tokai?

If not, it solves the conundrum around what to do in Cape Town in winter. Hop in the car, drive down south, and make a day of it.

Happening on the first Sunday of each month, you’ll find a variety of sweet and savoury vegan treats as well as cruelty-free home and body products. There are also live performances, a bar with vegan-friendly wine, and a vegan thrift market.

Warm Up With a Wine Tasting Tour

Can you even say you’ve Cape Town’d if you haven’t gotten day drunk at a wine farm?

Since moving to the Mother City five years ago, I’ve spent my fair share of time doing just that.

From Constantia to Stellenbosch and the lesser-known Elgin Valley, I’ve drunk my weight in local wine.

If you don’t have a sober driver or a car to get around, book a spot on the Franschhoek Wine Tram. You can get picked up from the CBD or drive to Franschhoek and spend the night.

And of all the Cape Town attractions in winter, spending the day hopping from one wine farm to the next sounds like the BEST way to keep warm.

If you do have a car to get around, here are my top wine farm recommendations for your winter trip:

Neethlingshof | Address: Polkadraai Rd, Stellenbosch
My all-time favourite wine farm. Try their Caracal vintage!

Babylonstoren | Address: Klapmuts Simondium Road, Simondium
After you’re sufficiently day drunk, spend an hour or two wandering around their Instagrammable gardens.

Paul Whttps://winetram.co.za/allace Wine | Address: Farm #63, Wallovale Vineyards, Highlands Rd, Elgin, Grabouw
Don’t leave without tasting their award-winning Black Dog Merlot and The Nix Sauvignon Blanc.

Grab a Hot Chocolate

There is something magical about a steaming mug of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day.

But I don’t mean that powdered stuff you can pick up from the grocery store.

I’m talking about the real MVP — hot chocolate made from scratch.

So, where can you find the best hot chocolate in Cape Town?

Honest Chocolate.

It’s a chocolate cafe located on Wale Street that serves delicious hot drinks and a selection of sweet treats.

HC even has vegan ice cream for all you peeps, just like me, who love eating a scoop or two in winter.

Want a break from your itinerary? Honest Chocolate is the perfect place to make a pit stop.

Not much of a hot chocolate drinker? Pick up an award-winning cup of coffee from Truth. It’s considered one of the best coffee shops in the world and features brews from all around the world.

If you’re a hot chocolate connoisseur, here are a few more options:

Bootlegger Sea Point | Address: 39 Regent Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town

My Sugar | Address: 3, La Rhone Building, 77 Regent Rd, Sea Point

The Creamery | Address: 163 Beach Rd, Mouille Point, Cape Town

Rick’s Café Americain | Address: 2 Park Rd, Gardens, Cape Town

Moro Gelato | Address: 165 Long St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town

boschendal wine farm — Photo by: Boschendal

Take Advantage of the Winter Specials in Cape Town

With the summer crowds a distant memory, deals on winter getaways to Cape Town are starting to pop up.

Is staying at a luxury wine farm in Stellenbosch on your bucket list? Or maybe you want to indulge in spa packages without the hefty price tag?

June to August is the best time to find winter specials from the top hotels, spas, and restaurants in the city!

Tip: Sign up for your dream hotel’s newsletter to stay on top of those seasonal discounts!

Watch The Sunset From Chapman’s Peak

Got Cape Point or Muizenberg Beach on your Cape Town winter activities list? Add Chapman’s Peak as your final pit stop en route home.

If the weather is good, you’ll have incredible views over the Atlantic Coastline and plenty of lookout points to watch the sunset over Hout Bay.

To add some *spice* to your Chapman’s Peak adventure, tackle the hiking trail. There is a short 1.3km loop that should take about 30 minutes to complete if you’re comfortable with moderately challenging routes.

Chapman’s Peak Toll Tariffs 2026

Light motor vehicles: R66.00
Motorcycles: R43.00

P.S. Please don’t visit the “secret Chapman’s Peak cave”. It’s dangerous and puts you and rescuers at risk.

Watch a Movie at The Labia Theatre

When the weather is awful, and you need to get out of the house, but still want cosy vibes, head to The Labia Theatre.

It’s the oldest independent theatre in the city, and waaaay cheaper and cooler than heading to the mall to see a movie.

Grab a slushie (a shot of tequila is optional but recommended) and a bag of popcorn, and watch the latest in arthouse cinema.

And what winter’s day is complete without pizza? Before or after your movie, have a meal at Nonna Lina Ristorante Pizzeria. It’s one of the best Italian restaurants in Cape Town.

Plus, carbs and wine are the perfect remedy for chilly weather.

Where to Stay in Cape Town

Now that you’ve got a few ideas of what to do in Cape Town in winter, let’s find the perfect base for your adventures!

Here are my top picks for any budget:

Budget Ballin’

The Grand Daddy: Staying at The Grand Daddy is a one-of-a-kind experience. Located in the heart of the city, on Cape Town’s famous Long Street, it’s one of the best places to stay in Cape Town in winter. Book their rooftop luxury trailer experience and catch a film at the on-site Pink Flamingo Rooftop Cinema.

Budget Mid-Range

Never@Home Backpackers: Don’t let the word “backpackers” fool you. Never@Home is one of Cape Town’s best boutique hostels. Stay in one of their deluxe private rooms or keep your costs down and book a bed in the mixed dormitory. The backpackers is only a 5-minute walk from the V&A Waterfront, and you’re a cheap Uber away from many of Cape Town’s top sights.

Which of these things to do in Cape Town in winter are you most excited to try?

Want more Cape Town travel tips? If you’re planning a trip, you’ll definitely want to take a look at these:

Did you find this post about the best places to visit in Cape Town in winter useful? If you like it, then you should put a pin on it!

10+ Incredible Things to do in Cape Town in Winter

4 Comments

Kelly Price says:

August 5, 2018 at 6:16 pm

I’ve never thought about visiting Cape Town in the winter before, but you may have sold me! Your photo of the Milky Way is beautiful!

1. lauren says:
  
  August 6, 2018 at 12:40 pm
  
  Thanks so much Kelly! Travelling to Cape Town in the winter is such a different experience to the busy summer months.
  
Supraja Lakshmi N says:

July 17, 2023 at 2:38 pm

Hi Lauren, I just read your article about the things to do in Cape Town in winter and I loved it! You have given me so many ideas for my next trip to the Mother City. I was impressed by the variety of activities you suggested, from adventurous to cultural to relaxing. I was especially intrigued by the Cape Canopy Tour, the whale watching and the day trip to see the Milky Way. They all sound like amazing experiences that I would love to try. You have shown me that Cape Town is a great destination for any season. I can’t wait to visit and explore its beauty and charm.

1. Lauren Melnick says:
  
  July 17, 2023 at 5:51 pm
  
  Hey Supraja! Thank you so much for your comment 🙂 I hope you have the best time when you come to Cape Town again.