285 properties found · Showing 1–20
December is Cape Town's busiest month for accommodation, and availability dries up fast. School holidays run from mid-December through mid-January, bringing families from across South Africa and international visitors at the same time. There are 94 properties listed near Cape Town for December, with rates ranging from R800 to R18,800 per night and an average of R2,383. Options cover everything from self-catering apartments in Bloubergstrand and Bellville to premium rentals in Camps Bay and Bantry Bay. If you're planning a December stay, booking two to three months ahead is not excessive — it's necessary.
Where to Stay in Cape Town in December
The Atlantic Seaboard — Camps Bay, Bakoven, and Bantry Bay — is where most visitors want to be in December. You get beach access, mountain views, and good restaurants within walking distance. Camps Bay properties fill up well before December, so if that's your target area, start looking in September or October. Bakoven sits a few minutes south and offers smaller self-catering options at slightly lower rates — practical for families who prefer cooking some meals in.
Bloubergstrand and Bloubergrant on the West Coast give you kite-surfing conditions, consistent summer wind, and a clear view of Table Mountain across the bay. Rates here run lower than the Atlantic Seaboard, and the pace is considerably quieter. Chapmans Peak, on the southern edge of the Hout Bay corridor, suits those who want privacy and don't need to be within walking distance of a beach strip.
December Weather and What It Means for Your Stay
Expect daytime temperatures between 25°C and 35°C, long days, and the southeasterly wind — locally called the Cape Doctor — picking up most afternoons. Mornings are typically calm and clear. This matters when choosing a property: units with west- or north-facing patios get usable outdoor time before the afternoon wind arrives. Properties facing south can feel exposed on the windier days.
Rain in December is rare, but the wind is reliable. For regular beach days at Camps Bay or Clifton, aim for mornings. If water sports are your priority, Bloubergstrand handles the wind far better and draws kitesurfers and windsurfers throughout the summer season.
Events and Activities in December Cape Town
December brings the V&A Waterfront's festive market, Kirstenbosch's open-air summer concert series, and an increasingly packed calendar of outdoor events across the city. The beaches at Clifton and Camps Bay reach capacity from Christmas Eve through New Year. Parking near the Atlantic Seaboard becomes impractical — plan to walk from your accommodation, or accept that driving 10km to Camps Bay on a Saturday afternoon can take 45 minutes.
How to Choose the Right Property for December
With 94 listings and rates from R800 to R18,800 per night, the range is real. The lower end covers self-catering apartments in Bellville or Bloubergrant — fine if you have a car and flexibility. The R2,383 average typically gets you a one- or two-bedroom self-catering unit in a solid suburb with good access to the main attractions. Above R6,000 per night, expect Atlantic Seaboard views, private pools, and air conditioning — worth considering when temperatures regularly hit 30°C. One detail worth checking before you book: many Cape Town pools are unheated. Atlantic water influence keeps them cold even in summer. If pool swimming matters to your group, confirm heating upfront.
