Cape Town Holiday Weather Overview
Cape Town is the mother city of South Africa which is the capital of Western Cape Province. The city is best known for its Table Mountain. The lovely coastline frame, Cape Peninsula is known for its unique floral kingdom, beautiful rivers, magnificent countryside and dams. It has some stunning white sandy beaches where you can find yourself relaxed. The city has a mixture of different cultures including Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German.
Named as the best place in the world to visit by the New York Times in 2014, Cape Town must surely be high on anyone's bucket list.
Framed by a backdrop of dramatic mountains, the city lies in the Cape Floristic region, one of only six "floral kingdoms" recognised in the world. Its extraordinary biodiversity is just one draw for visitors - others come to Cape Town for its natural beauty, its wines, its wildlife and its nightlife.
There are many eye-catching spots to visit in Cape Town. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the V & A Waterfront, cruises to Robben Island, beautiful beaches at Camps Bay and Clifton, and the rugged Cape of Good Hope are the most attractive holiday destinations of Cape Town. Robben Island is the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. In addition, you can also visit the Jackass Penguin Colony, the Groote Constantia Wine Estate and some world famous coastal drives like Chapmans Peak. The historic coastal town, Simonstown is also an attractive holiday destination for visitors.
You can find vast range of entertainment, adventures and outdoor activities in Cape Town. You can have a great night life and relaxation in the bars, cafes and restaurants. There are various stylish shopping malls in Cape Town where you can enjoy your shopping. Visiting Cape Town can really make your holiday memorable for long.
When is the best month to visit Cape Town?
Travellers like to visit Cape Town during the months of December and January. They also keep the city busy during the Easter and school holidays. November to February is a very high season for holiday trips. On the other hand, winter is a low season because of rain. You can enjoy the spring months, between August and September which are very lovely with wild flowers.
Cape Town's Climate
Cape Town has a Mediterranean style climate, with warm summers and mild, quite wet winters. Because of the surrounding mountains, Cape Town has many microclimates, and some parts of the city receive dramatically more rainfall than others.
Festive Beaches
Cape Town's long summer runs essentially from November to March, with the highest temperatures in December, January and February. If you're heading to Cape Town for the beaches, this is the time to go - but be aware that everyone else will have had the same idea, and the city can be very crowded at this time, especially during the Christmas period.
In December, January and February you can expect day time highs of 27-28°C, although occasionally it can go over 30. Temperatures fall back to the mid teens overnight, which can feel chilly, so take a shawl or a cover up. These are the driest months of the year, but you may catch a shower or two on a few days a month.
Spring Flowers
September and October are the spring months in Cape Town, and this is when the region's floral heritage really comes to life. Spring months are spectacular for hiking in the hills, and for getting up close and personal with the area's wildlife.
September is a peak time for whale watching along the cape, and the nearby town of Hermanus holds a whale watching festival in September, with these majestic creatures clearly visible from the cliff tops and on land.
Temperatures in September and October generally hover at a comfortable 20-22°C during the day, although highs of 30 are not unknown at this time of year. Overnight, the temperature remains in the mid teens Celsius.
Autumn Rains
April and May are the autumn months in Cape Town, and some of the wettest. Temperatures are similar to spring, but days may feature heavy downpours. It doesn't rain every day, however - and when it does, it's the perfect opportunity to explore Cape Town's museums and restaurants.
Unpredictable Winter
Winter in Cape Town is never particularly cold, and temperatures can still reach the low 20s Celsius. Overnight, the mercury may drop to around 12°C, but it's rare for it go lower than 10. June, July and August are some of the wettest and windiest months in Cape Town, with some heavy but short lived storms and dramatic skies.
However, there is also plenty of warm, dry, sunny weather, so if you're visiting Cape Town during the winter months, you'll need to pack for all seasons and include a waterproof jacket or coat.
What to pack and wear in Cape Town?
As the weather of Cape Town is very hot during the day time in summer, shorts and tee-shirts are the preferable dresses for both the male and female visitors. One important thing to remember is that most of the Cape Town restaurants require smart casual dress and some also require jacket and tie. In the winter season it may rain very often, so you should carry an umbrella or raincoat whenever you are going outside.
Best months to visit Cape Town?
January and March are the best month to go for holiday or travel to Cape Town. The weather averages gathered from Cape Town weather forecast and Cape Town weather history also forecast these months temperature to be around 26°c and average of 293.6667 hours of sunshine in a month.
Coldest months of Cape Town?
July and August are the coldest months with temperature at around 10°c.
Which months receive most rainfall in Cape Town?
June and August receive most rainfall with precipitation count of 128.80mm.
Travelling to Cape Town? Check out our Weather averages of Cape Town to better plan your holiday or travel.
If you would just like to know what the weather was for a past dates for research or education or you are just curious then visit our historical weather of Cape Town section.