Cape Town, South Africa
🌍Best Time to Visit Guide

Cape Town

South Africa

Discover the best time to visit

17°C avg
7 rain days/mo
3.5 crowds
See Monthly Breakdown
Best Time to Visit
Jan – Feb
Score: 100/100 • Perfect conditions
Consider Avoiding
Jul – Aug
Score: 24/100 • Less ideal
Overall Score Scale
0
100
Climate Overview

Weather in Cape Town

Monthly temperature ranges and rainfall patterns to help you pack right

Jan
27°
16°
3
Best
Feb
27°
16°
3
Best
Mar
26°
14°
4
Best
Apr
23°
12°
7
May
20°
10°
9
Jun
18°
8°
10
Jul
17°
7°
11
Aug
18°
8°
10
Sep
19°
9°
8
Oct
22°
11°
6
Nov
24°
13°
4
Dec
26°
15°
4
Cool
Mild
Warm
Hot
Best months
Crowds & Prices

When to Save Money

Monthly crowd levels and price indices for Cape Town

Avg Crowds
3.5
Avg Prices
3.5
Quietest
May
Cheapest
May
Jan
5
Very High
Feb
5
Very High
Mar
4
High
Apr
3
Moderate
May
2
Low
Jun
2
Low
Jul
2
Low
Aug
3
Moderate
Sep
3
Moderate
Oct
4
High
Nov
4
High
Dec
5
Very High
1-2: Best value
3: Moderate
4-5: Peak season
Sweet spot month

Pro Tip

Months marked with a star offer the best balance of low crowds and affordable prices. In Cape Town, consider visiting in May, June, July.

TripMemo Recommendation

The Sweet Spot

Perfect balance of comfortable weather, manageable crowds, and great value in Cape Town

#1 Pick

January

#1 recommended

100/100
Temp
16°–27°C
Rain
3 days
Crowds
5
Prices
5
Great weatherLow rainfall

February

#2 recommended

100/100
Temp
16°–27°C
Rain
3 days
Crowds
5
Prices
5
Great weatherLow rainfall

March

#3 recommended

100/100
Temp
14°–26°C
Rain
4 days
Crowds
4
Prices
4
Great weatherLow rainfall

November

#4 recommended

100/100
Temp
13°–24°C
Rain
4 days
Crowds
4
Prices
4
Great weatherLow rainfall

Best months to visit Cape Town:

January, February, March

Month by Month

What to Expect Each Month

Detailed month-by-month guide to help you plan the perfect trip to Cape Town

Moderate CrowdsModerate Prices

Weather

Check local weather forecasts for Cape Town during January.

Highlights

  • Research local attractions
  • Check for local events
  • Book accommodations in advance

Consider

  • Weather can vary
  • Popular periods may be crowded

Packing

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Essential documents
Moderate CrowdsModerate Prices

Weather

Check local weather forecasts for Cape Town during February.

Highlights

  • Research local attractions
  • Check for local events
  • Book accommodations in advance

Consider

  • Weather can vary
  • Popular periods may be crowded

Packing

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Essential documents
Moderate CrowdsModerate Prices

Weather

Check local weather forecasts for Cape Town during March.

Highlights

  • Research local attractions
  • Check for local events
  • Book accommodations in advance

Consider

  • Weather can vary
  • Popular periods may be crowded

Packing

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Essential documents
Moderate CrowdsModerate Prices

Weather

Check local weather forecasts for Cape Town during April.

Highlights

  • Research local attractions
  • Check for local events
  • Book accommodations in advance

Consider

  • Weather can vary
  • Popular periods may be crowded

Packing

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Essential documents
Moderate CrowdsModerate Prices

Weather

Check local weather forecasts for Cape Town during May.

Highlights

  • Research local attractions
  • Check for local events
  • Book accommodations in advance

Consider

  • Weather can vary
  • Popular periods may be crowded

Packing

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Essential documents
High CrowdsHigh Prices

Weather

Check local weather forecasts for Cape Town during June.

Highlights

  • Research local attractions
  • Check for local events
  • Book accommodations in advance

Consider

  • Weather can vary
  • Popular periods may be crowded

Packing

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Essential documents
High CrowdsHigh Prices

Weather

Check local weather forecasts for Cape Town during July.

Highlights

  • Research local attractions
  • Check for local events
  • Book accommodations in advance

Consider

  • Weather can vary
  • Popular periods may be crowded

Packing

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Essential documents
High CrowdsHigh Prices

Weather

Check local weather forecasts for Cape Town during August.

Highlights

  • Research local attractions
  • Check for local events
  • Book accommodations in advance

Consider

  • Weather can vary
  • Popular periods may be crowded

Packing

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Essential documents
High CrowdsHigh Prices

Weather

Check local weather forecasts for Cape Town during September.

Highlights

  • Research local attractions
  • Check for local events
  • Book accommodations in advance

Consider

  • Weather can vary
  • Popular periods may be crowded

Packing

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Essential documents
Moderate CrowdsModerate Prices

Weather

Check local weather forecasts for Cape Town during October.

Highlights

  • Research local attractions
  • Check for local events
  • Book accommodations in advance

Consider

  • Weather can vary
  • Popular periods may be crowded

Packing

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Essential documents
Moderate CrowdsModerate Prices

Weather

Check local weather forecasts for Cape Town during November.

Highlights

  • Research local attractions
  • Check for local events
  • Book accommodations in advance

Consider

  • Weather can vary
  • Popular periods may be crowded

Packing

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Essential documents
Moderate CrowdsModerate Prices

Weather

Check local weather forecasts for Cape Town during December.

Highlights

  • Research local attractions
  • Check for local events
  • Book accommodations in advance

Consider

  • Weather can vary
  • Popular periods may be crowded

Packing

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Essential documents
Events & Festivals

What's Happening in Cape Town

Major events, festivals, and celebrations throughout the year

Jan

January

New Year Celebrations

Ring in the new year with local celebrations and events.

holiday
Apr

April

Spring Festivals

Various springtime cultural events and celebrations.

festival
Jul

July

Summer Events

Peak season events including outdoor concerts and festivals.

music
Oct

October

Autumn Celebrations

Fall harvest festivals and cultural events.

cultural
Dec

December

Holiday Season

End of year celebrations, markets, and festivities.

holiday
Explore More

Related Tools

More tools to help plan your perfect trip to Cape Town

Seasonal Journaling

Capture the Season in Cape Town

Thoughtful prompts to help you journal about how the season shaped your experience

Any Season

How did Table Mountain's tablecloth of clouds signal weather changes?

Mountain weather

Summer

Describe experiencing Cape Town's Mediterranean summer at Christmas.

Southern Hemisphere seasons

Winter

What was the Cape winter like—rainy and cozy or challenging?

Rainy season

Summer

How did the famous Cape Doctor wind affect your plans?

Southeast wind

Winter

Describe whale watching season from Hermanus or the coast.

Wildlife timing

Any Season

What seasonal food or wine defined your Cape Town experience?

Food and wine

Photo Checklist

Perfect Photo Moments in Cape Town

Know exactly when to capture the best shots based on season and timing

Weather Shot

Table Mountain tablecloth clouds

October - March

Summer southeast wind creates the effect

Golden Hour

Sunset at Camps Bay with Twelve Apostles

Any season

Golden light on mountain range

Nature

Whale breaching at Hermanus

July - November

Southern right whales calving season

Nature

Spring wildflowers at West Coast

August - September

Namaqualand daisies blooming

Golden Hour

Bo-Kaap colorful houses

Any season, morning

Soft light on pastel facades

Nature

Penguins at Boulders Beach

February - September

Breeding season for active birds

Activity

Lions Head sunrise hike

Any season

Full moon hikes popular

Weather Shot

Cape Point dramatic seascape

May - August

Winter storms create massive waves

Nature

Winelands autumn colors

April - May

Vineyards turn golden and red

Festival

Kirstenbosch summer concerts

November - April

Sunset picnics on the lawn

Crowd Timing

V&A Waterfront with mountain backdrop

Any season

Clear days for mountain views

Activity

Cape Malay food at Bo-Kaap

Any season

Cooking classes and street scenes

Pro tip: Save this list to your TripMemo journal for quick reference while exploring

Plan Your Trip to Cape Town

Ready to Start Planning?

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