Planning a Trip to Cape Town? Here's the Weather
See what weather to expect in Cape Town, South Africa and plan your trip with confidence. Monthly averages from real historical weather data.
Cape Town is one of the few cities in the world where a Mediterranean-style climate meets dramatic mountain scenery, making the weather itself part of the attraction. The warm, drier months draw visitors outdoors to coastal trails and clifftop viewpoints, while the wetter, cooler months have their own rhythm — locals retreat to the city's excellent museums and neighbourhood cafés, where the coffee culture is genuinely worth exploring. Highs range from 17°C in July to 26°C at the peak of January, a moderate swing that keeps Cape Town accessible year-round.
Written by Leo Vicente, founder & engineer who loves to travel
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21°C
Avg. high
14°C
Avg. low
626mm
Yearly rainfall
5
Best months
Travel Window Score · 9.2/10
Cape Town's best stretch runs January–February — around 3 rain days a month and daytime highs near 26°C, on a 10-year historical average (climatology tier).
Climatology · 10-YR AVG · How we forecast →
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Start PlanningMonthly Temperature & Rainfall
26°
17°
15mm
Jan
26°
17°
9mm
Feb
24°
16°
32mm
Mar
22°
14°
40mm
Apr
20°
12°
64mm
May
18°
11°
131mm
Jun
17°
10°
115mm
Jul
17°
10°
86mm
Aug
18°
11°
48mm
Sep
21°
13°
37mm
Oct
23°
15°
21mm
Nov
24°
16°
28mm
Dec
What Weather to Expect in Cape Town
Cape Town typically has the most favorable weather for travel during January, February, March, November, December, with comfortable temperatures and relatively low rainfall — ideal conditions for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Best Time to Visit Cape Town
November through March offer warm days and lower rainfall — averaging well under 32mm a month — making this the prime window for hiking, beach days, and long evenings on the waterfront. It's also when the city's outdoor food and cultural scene is most animated, so there's genuine reason to be outside rather than sheltering indoors.
The best time to visit Cape Town is November through March, when daytime highs average around 25°C and rainfall stays low at roughly 21mm per month. These months offer the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing, outdoor activities, and exploring the city at a relaxed pace. February is typically the driest of these months, with only around 9mm of precipitation.
June is the peak of the wet period, with rainfall reaching 131mm, which can put a real damper on outdoor plans and is best avoided if your trip is activity-focused.
Cape Town Weather by Season
Spring
Spring (March–May) brings mild weather to Cape Town, with highs averaging 22°C and lows around 14°C. The season is relatively dry, accumulating around 136mm total with roughly 5 rainy days per month.
Summer
Summer (June–August) brings mild weather to Cape Town, with highs averaging 17°C and lows around 10°C. The season is quite wet, accumulating around 332mm total with roughly 11 rainy days per month.
Autumn
Autumn (September–November) brings mild weather to Cape Town, with highs averaging 21°C and lows around 13°C. The season is relatively dry, accumulating around 106mm total with roughly 6 rainy days per month.
Winter
Winter (December–February) brings warm weather to Cape Town, with highs averaging 25°C and lows around 17°C. The season is very dry with minimal rainfall, accumulating around 52mm total with roughly 3 rainy days per month.
Things to do in Cape Town
Handpicked activities you can book now, matched to typical weather in Cape Town.
Itineraries Featuring Cape Town
Climate data is a 10-year historical average (2016–2025), averaged across a wide area rather than a single weather station. Temperatures in Celsius. How we forecast →