Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Cape Town
A coastal city beneath Table Mountain, known for its beaches, wine regions nearby, and a striking mix of ocean and mountain scenery. Its setting is regularly ranked among the most dramatic of any city in the world, with mountain, ocean, and vineyard all within a short drive.
Best time to visit: November to March, the Southern Hemisphere summer — outside this window, winter (June–August) brings more rain and wind.
Local tip: Book the Table Mountain cableway or a hike for early in your trip if possible — it closes in high wind, so a flexible schedule helps.
Getting around: A rental car or organised tour is the practical way to reach the Cape Peninsula and nearby Winelands, though central Cape Town and the Waterfront are walkable.
Good to know: The Cape Winelands (Stellenbosch, Franschhoek) make an easy day trip from Cape Town, roughly 45 minutes to an hour's drive from the city centre.
What to plan your trip around
- Table Mountain
A flat-topped mountain overlooking the city, reachable by cableway or hiking trails.
- Robben Island
The former prison island where Nelson Mandela was held, now a museum reachable by ferry.
- V&A Waterfront
A working harbour turned shopping, dining, and entertainment district.
- Cape of Good Hope
A dramatic nature reserve at the peninsula's tip, roughly an hour's drive from the city centre.
Cape Town weather by month
Cape Town weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Cape Town gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°C | 19°C | 14 mm | 79% |
| February | 22°C | 19°C | 9 mm | 79% |
| March | 21°C | 18°C | 20 mm | 81% |
| April | 19°C | 16°C | 34 mm | 79% |
| May | 18°C | 15°C | 45 mm | 81% |
| June | 16°C | 14°C | 121 mm | 79% |
| July | 16°C | 13°C | 91 mm | 80% |
| August | 16°C | 13°C | 81 mm | 80% |
| September | 16°C | 14°C | 41 mm | 79% |
| October | 18°C | 15°C | 29 mm | 80% |
| November | 19°C | 16°C | 27 mm | 78% |
| December | 21°C | 17°C | 11 mm | 78% |
Cape Town through the year
January · 22° / 19°C · 14 mm
- In Cape Town, January is mid-summer — the seasons are reversed south of the equator.
- Rain is well below Cape Town's usual level (around 68% less).
April · 19° / 16°C · 34 mm
- Seasonally, April counts as mid-autumn in Cape Town — the seasons are reversed south of the equator.
- Days and nights are close, only about 3°C apart.
July · 16° / 13°C · 91 mm
- July brings mid-winter to Cape Town — the seasons are reversed south of the equator.
- Rain is above Cape Town's usual level, by about 109%.
October · 18° / 15°C · 29 mm
- Seasonally, October counts as mid-spring in Cape Town — the seasons are reversed south of the equator.
- Days and nights are close, only about 3°C apart.
The best time to visit Cape Town is January, February and March, when average highs are 21–22°C and rainfall is around 14 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Cape Town, season by season
December – February
Best time21° / 18°C · 11 mm
Pleasant temperatures and relatively little rain: the best window for sightseeing and time outdoors.
March – May
Good19° / 16°C · 33 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
June – August
Good16° / 13°C · 98 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Cape Town in January, February and March. Average highs are then 21–22°C.
- Why is January a good time to visit Cape Town?
- In January, Cape Town averages 22°C by day and 19°C at night, with about 14 mm of rain and 19% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Cape Town?
- February is the warmest month in Cape Town, with average highs of 22°C and lows of 19°C.
- What is the coldest month in Cape Town?
- August is the coldest month in Cape Town: average highs of 16°C, dropping to 13°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Cape Town?
- June is the wettest month in Cape Town with about 121 mm of rain. The driest is February, with around 9 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Cape Town?
- June is the least reliable month in Cape Town, with around 121 mm of rain. Bring a rain jacket and keep a flexible plan.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit Cape Town?
- Yes. April and December sit just outside the best months for Cape Town, with average highs of 19–21°C and about 23 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, they are a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in Cape Town before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Cape Town from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
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Best time to visit Cape Town. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/south-africa/cape-town
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/south-africa/cape-town">Best time to visit Cape Town</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/south-africa/cape-town" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="Best time to visit Cape Town"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/south-africa/cape-town">Best time to visit Cape Town</a> – WeatherCompare</p>