![table mountain Panorama, Capetown (Brian Gratwicke) [flickr.com] CC BY
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources'](/wp-content/uploads/reiseziele/table-mountain-panorama-capetown81597.jpg "table mountain Panorama, Capetown (Brian Gratwicke) [flickr.com] CC BY
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources'")
Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Cape Town for your holiday.
Climate Overview
7 °C to 26 °C
14 °C to 19 °C
0.55 – 3.66 in (3 – 10 Days of Rain)Show temperatures in degree
General and Geography
Table of Contents
Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa and one of the most popular travel metropolises in the world. According to current statistics, the metropolitan region on the Western Cape is home to around 3.9 million people.
As the first city founded during the Dutch colonial period, Cape Town is still known today as Mother City, the mother city of the rainbow nation.
Cape Town became world-famous mainly for Table Mountain, which became the landmark of the whole of South Africa. Together with the neighbouring elevations of Lion’s Head and Signal Hill and Devil’s Peak, the city skyline is dominated by the Table Mountain massif.
In many places it is said that Cape Town is the only city on two oceans. In reality, however, Cape Town extends exclusively along the Atlantic Ocean. The confluence of the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean only occurs about 130 miles below Cape Agulhas.
Climate in Cape Town
The climate in Cape Town and the provinces of the Cape is largely Mediterranean with a typically humid winter. The seasons are exactly the opposite to ours in Europe. The Atlantic Ocean has a great influence on the climate, so that there are comparatively small temperature fluctuations throughout the year.
The cooler rainy season in winter usually begins at the end of April and usually lasts until mid-September with runners. Afterwards the cape region shines particularly colourfully, the landscapes really blossom. October is already quite dry, but often shows strong and quite cool storms.
In November, the South African spring goes into the summer, the days are now much friendlier, sunnier and warmer. From December to February it is midsummer in Cape Town, and March is still pleasantly warm. The vineyards now glow in the most beautiful autumn colours and look forward to the slow onset of moisture from the end of April.
Best Time to Visit Cape Town: Overview
JanuaryJan Main SeasonMain Season Hot and Dry | FebruaryFeb Main SeasonMain Season Hot and Dry | MarchMar Best time to traveltime Perfect climate in Cape Town Perf. climate | AprilApr Autumn in Cape TownSA usually Pleasant | MayMay Late Autumn a little bit cool and wet | JuneJun Winter in Cape TownWinter in South Africa cool and wet |
JulyJul Winter in Cape TownWinter in South Africa cool and wet | AugustAug Winter in Cape TownWinter in South Africa cool and wet | SeptemberSep Good time to traveltime Still chilly | OctoberOct Best time to traveltime Perfect climate | NovemberNov Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate | DecemberDec Main SeasonMain Season Hot and Dry |
When is the best time to travel to Cape Town?
The more intensively you deal with the topic of the best travel season in Cape Town, the more you will come across sometimes contradictory information. This is mainly due to the fact that many suppliers like to market Cape Town as an ideal year-round destination in order to sell it better for combinations with other parts of the country.
In fact, you can travel to Cape Town all year round – but this information applies to almost every city in the world, doesn’t it? However, the winter in the Cape region is not only quite cool, but also extremely humid. It is comparatively windless, but regularly there is unpleasant drizzle or even downpour.
We therefore recommend the period from November to the end of March as the best travel season for Cape Town. December, January and February are particularly hot, but at the same time also the driest months and therefore the absolute peak season. This drought usually makes Cape Town’s weather very bearable even during periods of heat.
The transitional months of October and April are also a good travel season for Cape Town. The time before and after the African Christmas holidays in the Cape region between mid-December and mid-January is particularly beautiful. Our favorites are mainly February and March as well as October.
Climate Chart Cape Town
Show temperatures in degree
Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia
Climate Table Cape Town
In the following, you will find the climate table for Cape Town, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | 26° | 26° | 25° | 23° | 20° | 18° | 17° | 18° | 19° | 21° | 24° | 25° |
| Night Temperature | 16° | 16° | 14° | 12° | 9° | 8° | 7° | 8° | 9° | 11° | 13° | 15° |
| Water Temperature | 18° | 19° | 19° | 18° | 17° | 16° | 15° | 14° | 15° | 16° | 17° | 18° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 0.55 | 0.63 | 0.83 | 1.61 | 2.68 | 3.66 | 3.27 | 3.03 | 1.61 | 1.3 | 0.63 | 0.67 |
| Rainy days | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature is 16.7 °C.For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C
Warmest month: February (21 °C)
Coldest month: July (12.2 °C)
The maximum water temperature is 19 °C. Comfortable bathing is possible at water temperatures of about 21 °C.
Months with water temperature of at least 17 °C (Limited bathing is possible):
January, February, March, April, May, November, and December
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 20.47 inch on 69 rainy daysFor comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in
There is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).
You cannot expect snow in any month.
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, January is the sunniest month with an average of 10.9 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 8.5 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.Highlights & Sights
Cape Town is rich in attractions and sights, which can be completed either on your own or in guided tours. A visit to Table Mountain and the world-famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a must. A trip to Robben Island, the prison island of Nelson Mandela, is also a must.
The colourful houses in the Bo-Kaap district are always a popular photo motif. A tour along the peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope lures you by rental car. Meanwhile, there is beach life at the Clifton Beaches, Bloubergstrand or Camps Bay. The delicacies of the Old Biscuit Mill are not to be missed either.
More information about the best things to do: South Africa | Cape Town
Popular Activities
Cape Town: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Bus & Minivan Tours
from 16 $ »
Discover the many attractions Cape Town has to offer on a double-decker sightseeing bus tour. Choose a Classic (1-day) or Premium (2-day ticket), and hop-on and off the bus whenever you like. Travel on the 4 tour routes, and enjoy multilingual commentary.
From Cape Town: Cape Point and Boulders Beach Full-Day Tour
Tours
from 32 $ »
Enjoy a day excursion from Cape Town to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Visit the penguins at Boulders Beach and even spot whales in season.
Cape Town: Table Mountain Cable Car, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Bus & Minivan Tours
from 42 $ »
See the best of Cape Town with this combined Table Mountain return cable car ticket, Cape Town hop-on hop-off bus ticket and, free walking tour. Use the bus to be dropped at the door of the Cableway station.
More attractions
Cape Town: Robben Island Ferry Tour with 1-Way Hotel Pickup | Cape Town: Waterfront and Sunset Champagne Cruise | From Cape Town: Cape of Good Hope & Penguins Tour | Two Oceans Aquarium: Skip-the-Line Entrance ticket | Township and Robben Island Combination Tour | Cape Town: Tandem Paragliding Adventure | Cape Town: Full-Day Winelands Tour with Wine Tastings & Food |Current Weather and Forecast
Current Weather in Cape Town (Station De Waterkant)
broken clouds, 24.1 °CClouds: 72 % Wind: 12 mph SSW
Air Pressure: 1015 hPa Humidity: 72 %
Air Pressure: 1015 hPa Humidity: 72 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 11:24 am
The next days …
| 7th Feb 2023 | 8th Feb 2023 | 9th Feb 2023 | 10th Feb 2023 | 11th Feb 2023 | 12th Feb 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 °C to 23 °C |  19 °C to 27 °C | 18 °C to 27 °C | 19 °C to 27 °C | 21 °C to 28 °C |  20 °C to 23 °C |
| 20 °C to 23 °C | 19 °C to 27 °C | 18 °C to 27 °C | 19 °C to 27 °C | 21 °C to 28 °C | 20 °C to 23 °C |
| Clouds: 59 % | Clouds: 0 % | Clouds: 1 % | Clouds: 0 % | Clouds: 0 % | Clouds: 89 % |
| No Precipitation | No Precipitation | No Precipitation | No Precipitation | No Precipitation | 0.01 in of rain |
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
Show temperatures in degree
South Africa: Regions
Cape Town is part of the holiday destination South Africa. We analyzed the climate for additional regions, in order to provide you with information about the best time to visit and the expected holiday weather:Hottest Month
February: 26 °C
Day Temperature
February: 26 °CDay Temperature
Coldest Month
July: 7 °C
Night Temperature
July: 7 °CNight Temperature
Rainiest Month
June: 3.66 in
Rain
June: 3.66 inRain
Driest Month
January: 0.55 in
Rain
January: 0.55 inRain
Maximum Water Temperature
February: 19 °C
Water Temperature
February: 19 °CWater Temperature
Sunniest Month
January: 10.9 hours/day
Sunshine
January: 10.9 hours/daySunshine
Activities and Attractions
Cape Town: Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Shared Tour
Tours
from 63 $ »
Cape Town: Coastal Catamaran Cruise
Culture & history
from 18 $ »
From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge
Tours
from 392 $ »
Distances to Cape Town
| London | New York | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | 6020 mi | 7820 mi | 9990 mi |
Where’s Cape Town?
Show Cape Town on MapContinent: Africa
All Holiday Destinations in AfricaShare your Experience and Win
We want to know: how was the weather during your Cape Town holiday? You can win a travel coupon of 1000 $. The price will be raffled among all submissions.
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Cape Town: Experiences of our Visitors
Mostly sunny, best weather for excursions. Couldn’t have been better.
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
Were in Cape Town for 4 days at the end of April. 3 days super, warm and sunny. Half a day of heavy rain and thunderstorms, in the evening again beautiful. Had planned the trips to Robbenisland and Table Mountain according to the weather forecasts and had best weather. Cape Town is a must for all globetrotters.
Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good
great climate in cape town, stellenbosch and hermanus. from there we continue along the garden route, an unforgettable trip!
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
In April I was professionally in the Cape region, especially in Cape Town and the neighbouring Stellenbosch. The weather was rather changeable, some days sunshine, on other days rather cloudy or even rainy. You’re never in it. In principle, I would probably prefer January to March as travel time next time.
Weather Rating: 3 stars – Mixed
We were in Cape Town at the end of March and had great weather: Table Mountain with super visibility, pleasantly warm and very sunny during the day. Ideal for exploring Mother City and excursions into the surrounding area: Everything enchanted us. Whether Cape of Good Hope, the penguins at Boulders Beach, Robben Island or the good wine in Franschhoek. We definitely want to return as soon as possible, at the same time of the journey.
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent