Best Time to Visit Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Cape Town is at its sunniest and driest in January–December.
The best time to visit Cape Town for sunny, dry weather is October–April — 7 months of the year fit our sunny profiles at this specific location. The drier stretch runs through October–April; the wetter half falls in May–September. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from 12.9°C / 55.2°F in July to 20.8°C / 69.4°F in February, with rainfall from 16 mm / 0.6 in (January) to 101 mm / 4 in (June). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Cape Town's climate is broadly mild oceanic. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20.5°C68.9°F | 16 mm0.6″ | Sunny & Warm, Sunny & Mild |
| February | 20.8°C69.4°F | 17 mm0.7″ | Sunny & Warm, Sunny & Mild |
| March | 19.7°C67.5°F | 21 mm0.8″ | Sunny & Mild |
| April | 17.6°C63.7°F | 46 mm1.8″ | Sunny & Mild |
| October | 16.2°C61.2°F | 34 mm1.3″ | Sunny & Mild |
| November | 17.9°C64.2°F | 21 mm0.8″ | Sunny & Mild |
| December | 19.5°C67.1°F | 21 mm0.8″ | Sunny & Mild |
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
The best time to visit Cape Town for sunny, dry weather is January, February, March, April, October, November, December. At the city itself, the warmest month is February averaging 20.8°C / 69.4°F, and the driest is January with about 16 mm / 0.6 in of rain. These are point-value climate normals sampled at Cape Town's coordinates.
When is the rainy season in Cape Town?
The rainy season at Cape Town, Western Cape runs through May–September, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 46 mm / 1.8 in. The wettest single month is June (101 mm / 4 in).
What is the driest month in Cape Town?
The driest month in Cape Town is January, averaging about 16 mm / 0.6 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages 20.5°C / 68.9°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Cape Town?
The least comfortable months for travel to Cape Town — based on point-value climate at the city — are June, July, August, September. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 101 mm / 4 in in June, and the coldest month averages 12.9°C / 55.2°F.
Is Cape Town climate different from South Africa overall?
Yes, usually. Our Cape Town figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our South Africa figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Cape Town specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.