Best Time to Visit Cape Town

Because Cape Town sits in the southern hemisphere with a Mediterranean climate, its seasons are the reverse of Europe and its rain falls mainly in winter. For warm days, long evenings and fewer crowds than the Christmas peak, late October to early December and February to April are the sweet spots.

Mid-December to mid-January is peak summer and coincides with the long South African school holidays. The city is festive and the days are hot and dry, with sunset late in the evening, but beaches, restaurants and roads down the Cape Peninsula are at their busiest and hotel rates peak.

Summer also brings the Cape Doctor, a strong south-easterly wind that blows clean air through the city and frequently shuts the Table Mountain cableway. February and March are typically calmer and warmer than December, making them the favourite months for locals.

May to August is winter. Cold fronts roll in off the Atlantic, bringing two or three days of rain and wind followed by crisp days that are ideal for hiking and wine tasting behind a fireplace. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway closes for annual maintenance for one to two weeks in late July and early August every year, so check the official schedule if you are visiting in winter.

Season by season

• October and November: spring wildflowers in Kirstenbosch, warming days, tail end of whale season.
• December and January: hot, dry, windy at times, longest days and biggest crowds.
• February and March: warm, less wind, grape harvest in the vineyards, ideal beach weather.
• April and May: autumn calm, golden vineyard leaves, comfortable hiking temperatures.
• June to September: cooler and wetter, lowest hotel prices, southern right whales along the False Bay coast and in Hermanus.