When is the best time to visit Cape Town? While Cape Town is a wonderful holiday destination at any time of year, its weather changes and season-dependent activities require careful planning to ensure you experience the holiday you desire. Read on to learn about the Cape Town seasons and the best time to visit the city.
Cape Town Summer Months
The city’s summer season runs from December to February. With average temperatures ranging between 25 and 30°C, these are the hottest months in Cape Town. Summer is a great time to visit the Cape to enjoy the city’s many outdoor attractions and seasonal events.
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy Cape Town’s iconic scenery. Take the cable car up the world’s most famous mountain and enjoy breathtaking views from Table Mountain, or travel to one of Clifton’s four blue-flag beaches to spend the day soaking up the sun and refreshing in the Atlantic Ocean. Take a day trip to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and enjoy picnics, casual strolls, even open-air movie screenings and concerts amongst the impressive flora and fauna. For those wanting to learn about the history of Cape Town, the City Sight Seeing buses offer fun and educational hop-on, hop-off experiences.
While the weather is at its best, Cape Town summer is also peak tourist season, so expect busy beaches, fully booked restaurants, and higher accommodation prices. Our favourite beach destinations during the hottest months in Cape Town are Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno.
Cape Town Winter Months
While the months of June and July are the coldest and wettest of the year with temperatures averaging between 12 and 16 degrees celsius, the city offers a number of indoor and cosy activities during the winter for those who choose to visit.
Cape Town is well known for its vast number of beautiful wine estates, located both in and around the city. Many of these estates offer cosy, fire-side wine tastings and dining experiences during the colder months. Groot Constantia offers a vintage wine tasting experience in their manor house cellar, La Motte, located in Franschhoek, has a tasting room with a large fireplace for cosy winter tastings.
For those wanting to experience Cape Town’s wildlife, you will be pleased to learn that the whale watching season begins in July. Hermanus, situated approximately a two-hours’ drive away from the city centre, is the ultimate place to spot southern right or humpback whales. Don your wet-whether gear and book a whale tour to enjoy some spectacular viewings of these majestic creatures.
For those travelling with children, the city offers many family-friendly indoor activities throughout the winter months, including the Two Oceans Aquarium and the Scratch Patch, both located at the V&A Waterfront. The development also encompasses various dining options, a shopping mall, indoor markets, and more.
Due to it being the least popular time of the year to visit Cape Town, accommodation prices are at their lowest.
Cape Town’s Spring and Autumn Seasons
Visiting the Cape during either Spring or Autumn offers its own perks. Spring occurs between the months of September and November, and brings with it warm weather and beautiful flora and fauna that colours the city. Spend springtime on the West Coast to enjoy some of the most beautiful wildflowers. The average temperature in Cape Town during Spring ranges between 13 to 26 degrees celsius, so remain mindful of the Cape’s changeable weather when planning outdoor excursions.
Cape Town’s autumn season lasts from March to May, with the average temperature ranging between 17 to 22 degrees celsius. Due to the mild weather conditions, these months are great for enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking and watersports, and many of the city’s sporting events, such as the Two Oceans Marathon and the Cape Town Cycle Tour, take place during this period.
Our Favourite Time of the Year to Visit Cape Town
We want to let you into a little secret! We believe that the month to visit Cape Town is March. After the rush of peak season, March brings quieter beaches, greater dining availability, and a wider choice of accommodation – all while the weather remains superb. The famous Cape sunsets are also at their very best at this time of year.
Other Important Factors to Note When Planning a Trip to Cape Town
- Cape Town is well-known for experiencing four seasons in one day. While the weather is slightly more predictable during summer, remember to never leave the house without a warm layer, an umbrella, and a swimming costume!
- Cape Town is often dubbed ‘The Windy City’. The gusts of wind are strongest during the summer months, and must be taken into account when planning a hike or beach day. Some of our luxury Clifton villas are protected from the Southern-Easter wind.
- The Spring and Autumn months offer some of the best weather – mild temperatures perfect for exploring and enjoying the city’s many attractions.
- The mornings usually experience calmer weather than the afternoons. When planning beach activities and hikes in advance, do so earlier rather than later.
- Always check the weather forecast in the morning before embarking on an outdoor excursion to ensure your safety.