Month-by-month — weather, crowds, prices and the experience you'll actually have. Plus the two months we always recommend over peak summer.
Cape Town's climate is Mediterranean and unusual for Africa: hot, dry summers (November–March) and cool, wet winters (June–August). Most travel guides will tell you to come in summer. We agree — but the real local pick is the shoulder.
Month by month
December–February (peak summer)
Hot (25–32°C), almost no rain, packed beaches and the highest prices of the year. December 15 to January 15 is the locals' summer holiday — book everything months in advance.
March–April (autumn, our pick)
Still warm (22–28°C), the wind drops, harvest in the Winelands, and accommodation eases. Easter is the only busy week.
May–August (winter)
Cool, green and atmospheric. Rain in passes, snow on the high mountains. Best whale watching in Hermanus, fewest tourists, lowest prices. Pack layers.
September–November (spring, also our pick)
Wildflowers explode in the Cape, whales peak in Walker Bay, and the days lengthen. Late October is arguably the single best month in the calendar.
What's on, when
- Whale season: June–November (peak September)
- Wildflower season (West Coast/Namaqualand): August–September
- Wine harvest: February–April
- Cape Town Jazz Festival: March/April
- Wedding & summer holiday peak: mid-December to mid-January
Frequently asked questions
The Best Time to Visit Cape Town — FAQs
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