Find the best month to visit Cape Town
How do you choose the best month to visit Cape Town? Truthfully, it is tough because Cape Town is a superb vacation destination year-round. The ideal time for a visit depends entirely on what you’re want to do. So, here we help you select the best month for you by covering some of the highlights in Cape Town’s annual calendar.
Cape Town (also known as South Africa’s Mother City) is famous for its Blue Flag status beaches, world-renowned wine estates and incredible sightseeing opportunities. Not to mention, the glory that is exploring the magnificent Table Mountain National Park.
But you may be wondering when is the best month to visit Cape Town? The truth is that many visitors from around the world spend time in the Mother City throughout the year.
After all, the spring and summer seasons are a great time for lounging along the coastline, while autumn is perfect for outdoor adventures like hiking and cycling on mountain trails. The unique eateries, as well as artistic and cultural experiences in the city bowl are also ideal retreats during Cape Town in winter. This means that the city can cater for almost any kind of holiday experience, there is no one best season to visit Cape Town.
However, depending on what you plan to do, it’s worthwhile to follow the seasons when deciding on your personal best time to visit Cape Town.
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Cape Town in summer offers hot and dry weather from November through to February. This is when the quintessential beach holidays can be enjoyed. However, this is also when the metropolis experiences an influx of local and international visitors.
Late April to early June is a wonderful time for families who want to plan a hiking trip in the African wild. Between June to August is popular for those who want to enjoy a food and wine holiday while enjoying Cape Town in the quiet and calm of winter. July to September is also when you can often view migrating whales along the Cape coastline – a true treat for any family holiday.
Ultimately, the best time of year to visit Cape Town really does depend on your ideal experiences. Regardless of your itinerary, when it comes time to rent a villa in Cape Town, we’ve also got the best rates and 24/7 local guest support. We’re able to ensure that your family has the very best possible African adventure in luxurious Cape Town.
Now, to help spark some holiday ideas, here are some highlights in Cape Town’s annual calendar.
January in Cape Town
This is the ideal month for sun lovers and beachgoers as the New Year kicks off with the city’s historic Cape Minstrel Carnival. Summer is in full swing and you can expect temperatures to reach up to 30°C. Evenings are balmy with locals and visitors alike dining at eateries all around the city-centre and Atlantic Seaboard. This is peak tourist season and you can expect accommodation, beaches, restaurants and bars to be bustling with limited availability. You’ll find this is the best time for sightseeing, wind and kite surfing, as well as exploring Table Mountain or interacting with Penguins on Boulders Beach. It’s also a perfect month to take in an outdoor picnic, summer concert or movie under the stars!
Vital info for January
Visitor rating: Good | Tourist volume: High | Tourist season: Peak
Accommodation prices: Highest | Flight prices: High
Average temperature: ±27°C /81°F | Average rainfall: ±15.5mm/0.6inches (Low)
Average humidity: ±65% | Average wind: ±13.9mph/23kmph
February in Cape Town
You’ll find that Cape Town in February is still fairly bustling, although decidedly quieter than January or December. Most locals have returned to work but there is still perfect weather for tourists to enjoy. Of course, this also means more breathing room on the beaches and more availability at popular restaurants. This makes it a great time of year for sightseeing without having to wait around in too many queues. Wind and kite surfing are still popular in February, as well as all beach and mountain activities. This is also in the middle of the cricket season, and there’s often a game or two to catch at the Newlands Stadium too.
Vital info for February
Visitor rating: Good | Tourist volume: High | Tourist season: Peak
Accommodation prices: High | Flight prices: Average
Average temperature: ±29°C /84°F | Average rainfall: ±13.9mm/0.5inches (Low)
Average humidity: ±63% | Average wind: ±13.7mph/23kmph
March in Cape Town
This month is when temperatures begin to cool from the highs of summer in Cape Town. There are still perfect beach days to be had and many opportunities to swim in the Atlantic Ocean. However, the wind starts to die down – marking the close of kite and windsurfing season off this coastline. There is also an impeccable lineup of events that take place in The Mother City at this time: The Cape Town Cycle Tour and Cape Epic keep cycling fans on the edge of their saddles. Fans of all things cultural can also soak up the atmosphere of the Cape Town Carnival and hear incredible artists at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Vital info for March
Visitor rating: Excellent | Tourist volume: Moderate | Tourist season: Shoulder
Accommodation prices: Average | Flight prices: Average
Average temperature: ±27°C /81°F | Average rainfall: ±10mm/0.4inches (Low)
Average humidity: ±63% | Average wind: ±11.7mph/19kmph
April in Cape Town
This is another holiday season in South Africa, with many schools shutting for Easter and flocks of local people road-tripping to the coast on vacation. This is a time to enjoy the last of the good weather with families and loved ones. The cooler Autumn climate is usually a bit unpredictable and this begins to manifest in April. However, there are still pleasant, sunny days outside to be had if you just remember to pack a few thicker layers for late afternoons and evenings. If you’re looking to run off all that Easter chocolate and feasting, book your entry into the renowned Two Oceans Marathon.
Vital info for April
Visitor rating: Excellent | Tourist volume: Moderate | Tourist season: Shoulder
Accommodation prices: Average | Flight prices: Average
Average temperature: ±25°C /77°F | Average rainfall: ±25.4mm/1 inch (Moderate)
Average humidity: ±76% | Average wind: ±10.6mph/17kmph
May in Cape Town
Cape Town moves into the main rainy season at the start of May. The nights are cold with shorter days and Capetonians have the city mostly to themselves. Local restaurants, attractions and events work hard to keep residents enticed and entertained. This also marks the start of the harvest season for the Cape Winelands. You’ll find a wonderful selection of food and wine festivals to attend near the city and further out in neighbouring towns too. It truly is the best time to explore culinary delights and fine wines next to a warm fireplace in the Boland. You can even stop in at the Franschhoek Literary Festival for reading material.
Vital info for May
Visitor rating: Fair | Tourist volume: Low | Tourist season: Shoulder
Accommodation prices: Average | Flight prices: Low
Average temperature: ±22°C /72°F | Average rainfall: ±43mm/1.7 inches (Moderate)
Average humidity: ±80% | Average wind: ±11.1mph/17.8kmph
June in Cape Town
For some, deciding when to go to Cape Town is contingent on the start of whale season in June. This is because off the coast of Hermanus is one of the best places for spotting these gentle giants as they frolic in the bays, particularly the Southern Right Whales. Food and wine festivals continue unhindered as the cold weather truly sets in. This is also a wonderful time to catch winter specials and experiences in renowned venues all around Cape Town and the Cape Winelands. Many of these establishments gear up with warm fireplaces and cosy atmospheres. When the sun does come out, the weather is usually beautifully mild.
Vital info for June
Visitor rating: Fair | Tourist volume: Low | Tourist season: Low
Accommodation prices: Low | Flight prices: Low
Average temperature: ±20°C /68°F | Average rainfall: ±66mm/2.6 inches (High)
Average humidity: ±80% | Average wind: ±11.2mph/18kmph
July in Cape Town
July continues to be fresh and rainy in Cape Town, it’s a wonderful time to explore the museums and art galleries around the city while enjoying cosy days inside. From taking in theatre and cinema to attending culinary events in the city’s exclusive restaurants, it’s a wonderful time for bonding with loved ones. You’ll benefit from a quieter city, great deals on food and accommodation, and there are several annual events designed to keep you warm while the children play and enjoy themselves.
Vital info for July
Visitor rating: Fair | Tourist volume: Low | Tourist season: Low
Accommodation prices: Low | Flight prices: Low
Average temperature: ±20°C /68°F | Average rainfall: ±100mm/3.9 inches (High)
Average humidity: ±82% | Average wind: ±11.5mph/18.5kmph
August in Cape Town
Although it’s a quiet month to visit Cape Town, August provides an idyllic charm and beauty to the city. There’s still a good chance of spotting whales at various points along the coastline. The air is clear, fresh and cold. This always means there’s more joy to be found exploring the mountain on drier days. Unfortunately, the Atlantic is too cold to recreationally swim in at this time of year. However, surfers with wetsuits will find idyllic conditions for large waves. With exhibitions, performances and the incredible wildlife displays out at sea, Cape Town is a delight in August.
Vital info for August
Visitor rating: Fair | Tourist volume: Low | Tourist season: Low
Accommodation prices: Low | Flight prices: Low
Average temperature: ±20°C /68°F | Average rainfall: ±60mm/2.4 inches (High)
Average humidity: ±79% | Average wind: ±11.6mph/18.6kmph
September in Cape Town
The start of Spring is the best time to experience one of Cape Town’s most spectacular outdoor phenomena: the blooming of the thousands of flower species that thrive here! The best places to see this floral world come alive in a spectacular array of colours are the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens and the West Coast National Park. The amount of daylight hours also starts to increase around this time of year, with many of the mountain biking and hiking trails here starting to heat up again too. The combination of this and the beautiful Spring wildflowers truly make September one of the best times to visit.
Vital info for September
Visitor rating: Good | Tourist volume: Moderate | Tourist season: Shoulder
Accommodation prices: Average | Flight prices: Average
Average temperature: ±21°C /70°F | Average rainfall: ±45.7mm/1.8 inches (Moderate)
Average humidity: ±77% | Average wind: ±12mph/19.3kmph
October in Cape Town
In terms of searching for the best month to travel to Cape Town, October can be a bit of a wildcard. The winter temperatures may cling on well into Spring or start heating up steadily as warmer the weather approaches in this month. Either way, this is the official start to festival season again in the Mother City. It kicks off with the iconic Rocking the Daisies event, which runs for three days at the Cloof Wine Estate. You’ll also find that the usually dry landscape is well and truly transformed into a carpet of colourful wildflowers that spreads across South Africa’s west coast, creating stunning scenery in October.
Vital info for October
Visitor rating: Excellent | Tourist volume: Moderate | Tourist season: Shoulder
Accommodation prices: Average | Flight prices: Average
Average temperature: ±24°C /77°F | Average rainfall: ±22.8mm/0.9 inches (Moderate)
Average humidity: ±75% | Average wind: ±13.1mph/21kmph
November in Cape Town
In November, the Cape Doctor blows and this can provide the city with all sorts of lovely breezes that also create the perfect surfing conditions. This is also the time when the entire city comes alive as it prepares to launch into the silly season with full force. Outdoor festivals are also kicking into gear by this time, with the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts and Galileo Open Air Cinema starting the lineup of summer season events. Best of all, it even gets warm enough to hit the beaches and take a dip in the Atlantic from time to time. If your focus is on warm weather and outdoor events, but without the major peak-season crowds, early November is probably your best option.
Vital info for November
Visitor rating: Excellent | Tourist volume: Moderate | Tourist season: Shoulder
Accommodation prices: Average | Flight prices: Average
Average temperature: ±25°C /77°F | Average rainfall: ±21mm/0.8 inches (Moderate)
Average humidity: ±70% | Average wind: ±13.6mph/22kmph
December in Cape Town
December is certainly the most festive month to visit Cape Town. Both locals from the north of the country and international visitors flock to holiday on the Blue Flag beaches here. The weather at this time of year is hot and the days are long, but you can easily cool off in the chilly Atlantic Ocean. Also, make sure you get to Adderley Street early in December so that you can secure a spot to watch Cape Town’s oldest street light up from hundreds of Christmas lights. Discover Cape Town in December and how it truly comes to life with events and entertainment, as well as extravagant celebrations for the New Year.
Vital info for December
Visitor rating: Good | Tourist volume: High | Tourist season: Peak
Accommodation prices: Highest | Flight prices: High
Average temperature: ±25°C /77°F | Average rainfall: ±13.9mm/0.5inches (Low)
Average humidity: ±71% | Average wind: ±13.5mph/22kmph
When to visit Cape Town?
At the end of the day, the answer to the question of when to go to Cape Town – is absolutely whenever you want to be in the Mother City. Our team is always standing by to serve you and your family’s needs while you stay in our beautiful country. As local area specialists, we can also help you plan the very best itinerary for your interests and the desires of your travel party. That way, you will always be sure to land on the best month to visit Cape Town for your family.
Book family-friendly, luxurious villas or apartments in Cape Town today and let’s start planning your ideal holiday!
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