Measured, not vibes
Best Time to Visit Cape Town
By measured weather comfort, the top months for Cape Town are December, March, April — and RouteVerdict's editorial pick, which also weighs crowds and prices, is January, February, March, April, May, November, December. The table below is computed from ERA5 reanalysis data for 2020–2024, measured at Cape Town (25 m elevation).
Month by month
Cape Town weather and comfort, 2020–2024
| Month | Avg high | Wet days | Comfort | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.7°C / 78°F | 2.8 | 90 | |
| February | 25.7°C / 78°F | 2.5 | 91 | |
| March | 23.8°C / 75°F | 4 | 92 | Best |
| April | 21.8°C / 71°F | 3.8 | 92 | Best |
| May | 19.2°C / 67°F | 7.2 | 78 | |
| June | 18°C / 64°F | 9.2 | 70 | |
| July | 16.2°C / 61°F | 9.5 | 61 | |
| August | 16.2°C / 61°F | 10.3 | 60 | |
| September | 17.4°C / 63°F | 6.7 | 71 | Shoulder |
| October | 21.4°C / 71°F | 5.3 | 88 | Shoulder |
| November | 22.5°C / 73°F | 5.5 | 89 | |
| December | 23.5°C / 74°F | 4 | 92 | Best |
Comfort is RouteVerdict's 0–100 score: 100·exp(−(high−23)²/162) × (1 − min(0.35, wet days × 0.02)). The full method is on the methodology page. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (ERA5, CC BY 4.0), 2020–2024 normals. Wet day = ≥1 mm precipitation.
FAQ
Cape Town timing questions
What is the best month to visit Cape Town?
By measured weather comfort (ERA5 2020–2024), the top months are December, March, and April, with December scoring highest. RouteVerdict's editorial pick is January, February, March, April, May, November, and December, which also weighs crowds, prices, and events.
What is the hottest month in Cape Town?
January, with an average daily high of 25.7°C (78°F).
What is the rainiest month in Cape Town?
August, averaging 10.3 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation.
When is shoulder season in Cape Town?
October and September — the best-scoring months outside both the measured top three and RouteVerdict's editorial peak-season pick.