The best things to do in Cape Town during winter 2023

As the temperatures drop and the rain pitter-patters across the city, winter arrives in Cape Town. The good news is that it’s the time of year for all things cosy! It’s also a great time to visit and enjoy the Mother City as the winter season in Cape Town holds a unique charm all of its own.

While it does get chillier, winter in Cape Town is not necessarily all blustery days, rain and storm clouds. It may not offer the intense heat of summer, but the sun does still shine and we get some picturesque winter days around here! It’s a wonderful time to visit if you’re keen on Cape Town but not keen on the crowds or higher price tags of the high season. There are also tons of great winter activities to enjoy! Read on to find out some of our favourites.

Top winter activities to enjoy in Cape Town in 2023:

Visit the winelands

The iconic Cape Winelands is one of the best places to enjoy the winter season in Cape Town. From warming up with a wine tasting and admiring art during gallery viewings to getting your blood flowing outdoors, there is tons to enjoy in the Winelands!

Sip on local wines next to a roaring fireplace at wine estates such as Spier, Grand Provence, Waterford, Glen Carlou and Delaire Graff. Or, shake things up with an alternative wine tasting. Head to Delheim wine and fynbos cupcake pairings or indulge in an opulent Russian High Tea at Hazendal Wine Estate. Maybe a biltong and droëwors wine pairing at Stellenbosch Hills or a vinegar tasting at Rozendal is more your style?

The scenic winelands are also a fantastic destination for enjoying the outdoors! Whether you’re hiking, cycling or segwaying, winter is a fantastic time to head outside. Visit Jonkershoek Valley in Stellenbosch for shorter hikes and full day treks filled with fynbos and waterfalls! Mont Rochelle Private Reserve is a fantastic option for hikes in Franschhoek as there are a range of trails for all hiking levels and beautiful scenery. Admire the scenery, fynbos and flowers that begin to bloom closer to spring!

Go whale watching

June to November is whale watching season in the Western Cape. At this time of year, pods of Southern Right whales embark on their annual migration past this beautiful stretch of South African coastline. The magnificent creatures arrive along the coast to calve and nurse their young. This is prime time for those of us on land to grab the chance to view the whales breaching and spouting in the ocean waters.

Some of the best places to go whale watching include Hermanus (a 90-minute drive from Cape Town), Cape Agulhas (also reachable as a day trip from Cape Town) and the West Coast which is home to numerous small towns which offer perfect city breaks. If you find yourself closer to town, False Bay offers the best chance to spot whales on the ocean waves. If you’re lucky, on the odd occasion, you may even spot a whale swimming through the waters of the V&A harbour!

Top tip: Whale activity usually reaches its peak during September.

Looking for something that will get the adrenalin pumping? Winter is also a prime time for shark cage diving. Gansbaai is Cape Town’s most well-known shark cage diving destination and shark activity peaks between May and September.

Enjoy hiking & the great outdoors

Sunshiney days in winter are the opportune time to enjoy the outdoors in Cape Town as you get to avoid the scorching heat of summer. Thanks to winter being the green season in Cape Town, the scenery turns lush and verdant at this time of year! Winter rainfall transforms the outdoors, allowing the local flora to regrow and thrive as spring approaches. The famous flower season is just around the corner, too!

Make the most of the mild temperatures with walks and hikes. Popular hiking trails such as Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch and Lion’s Head are also quieter at this time. It’s also the time of year when you don’t have to wake up too early to be able to complete a sunrise hike! Catch the sunrise from the top of Lion’s Head from around 7 - 7.30am (easier for the non-early risers than trying to scrabble to the top before 6am!) Before you head out, be sure to check the forecast and pack adequate weather protection.

Keen on hitting a few balls around the course? Book a round of golf at De Zalze Winelands Golf Estates, Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate, and the gorgeous Pearl Valley golf course located at the Val de Vie Estate.

Learn something new with various workshops

Get your creativity flowing and learn a new skill or two with captivating winter workshops.
Babylonstoren hosts a variety of sessions; from crafting handmade soap to baking bread, you’re sure to leave with an array of new skills! At Delheim, learn all about the magic of mushrooms with a three day workshop featuring foraging in the Simonsberg forest, wine estate lunches and mushroom workshops from 16 - 18 June.

Budding film aficionados should head to the Labia Theatre in Cape Town for the Encounters Documentary Festival at this time of year. Featuring local and international non-fiction films, it’s a chance to encounter trailblazing cinematic works.

Finally, why not get festive this wintertime? Tulbagh hosts its annual Christmas in Winter festival from 24 - 25 June. While South Africa celebrates Christmas during the Southern Hemisphere summertime, we can also enjoy Christmas in our wintertime! Enjoy the twinkling lights, Christmas markets and a Winterland Blues festival in the quaint Western Cape town this year.

By now, you should be feeling inspired to make the most of winter in Cape Town! From whale watching to celebrating Christmas in June, these activities are sure to keep you warm and entertained during winter 2023!