CPTSouth Africa

Cape Town

A city with genuinely distinct seasons — and pricing to match

Cape Town runs on a Mediterranean climate, which makes it unusual in Africa: it is dry in summer and wet in winter, the opposite of Johannesburg. That single fact drives everything about when to go and what it costs. Summer is spectacular and priced accordingly; winter is green, quiet and genuinely cheap, provided you accept that a portion of your days will be indoors.

Best time to go

February to April — reliable weather, warm sea, and none of the December pricing

The year, season by season

Peak summer

December to January

Hot, dry and extremely busy. Beaches, restaurants and Table Mountain are all at capacity, and accommodation is at its most expensive by a wide margin. Book months ahead or avoid entirely.

Late summer

February to April

The locals' favourite. Weather is still excellent, the sea is at its warmest, the wind has usually dropped, and the December crowds have gone home. The best value-to-weather ratio of the year.

Winter

May to August

Cool and wet, with genuine storms rolling in off the Atlantic. The landscape turns green, whale watching starts along the coast, and both flights and hotels are at their cheapest. Plan indoor alternatives.

Spring

September to November

Wildflowers in the West Coast and Namaqualand, whales still around until about November, and prices climbing steadily toward December. Wind picks up noticeably from October.

Where to base yourself

City Bowl and GardensFirst-time visitors who want to walk to restaurants and museums

Atlantic Seaboard (Sea Point, Camps Bay)Beaches and sunsets, at the highest nightly rates in the city

V&A WaterfrontConvenience and safety, at the cost of feeling somewhat sealed off

Southern Suburbs (Constantia, Newlands)Families and wine country access, with a car

Browse places to stay in Cape Town →

Getting around

Cape Town is spread out and public transport is limited outside the MyCiTi bus routes. If you plan to see the Peninsula, the Winelands or the Garden Route, hire a car — it is close to essential. Within the City Bowl and along the Atlantic Seaboard, e-hailing is cheap and plentiful.

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Worth knowing

01The South Easter wind blows hard from roughly October through February. It shapes which beach is pleasant on any given day — Camps Bay can be unbearable while Muizenberg is calm.
02Table Mountain's cableway closes in high wind, often at short notice. If seeing it matters, go on your first clear day rather than saving it for the end of the trip.
03The two coasts have very different sea temperatures. False Bay is swimmable; the Atlantic side is genuinely cold year round.
04Cape Town International to the City Bowl is about 20 minutes without traffic and closer to an hour in the weekday afternoon peak.

Getting to Cape Town

Current fares and availability are shown on Travelstart, our booking partner.

Search flights to Cape Town

Planning the flight? Read the Johannesburg to Cape Town route guide for when to book.

Common questions

What is the best month to visit Cape Town?

March. The weather is reliably good, the sea is at its warmest, the summer wind has eased and the December peak has passed. February and April are close behind.

Is Cape Town cheap in winter?

Noticeably, yes. May through August is the low season for both flights and accommodation because of the rain. If your trip is not beach-dependent it is the best value window of the year.

Do I need a car in Cape Town?

For the city centre and Atlantic Seaboard, no — e-hailing covers it. For the Cape Peninsula, the Winelands or anything beyond the metro, a car makes a large practical difference.