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When to visit Cape Town
As South Africa‘s flagship coastal city, Cape Town has plenty to offer visitors from stunning surroundings, a fascinating culture, and world-class attractions.
While beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will prefer the warmer months, winter in Cape Town has its own perks, making it an appealing year-round destination.
So whether you want to see colorful wildflowers, hike up Table Mountain, or simply relax on the beach, here are the best times to visit Cape Town.
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December to March is the best time for beaches and sunny weather
If you want to head to the beach, the best time to visit Cape Town is in the summer (December to March). This is when you’ll find warm weather, clear skies and long days, creating the perfect mix for sun-seekers.
The weather does get hot, especially in January and February, when average temperatures hover around 86°F (30°C). Cool down by dipping your toes in the cold water of the white sands of Camps Bay Beach or Clifton’s four beaches on Cape Town’s Atlantic coast. For warmer water, head to False Bay, half an hour’s drive south of the city center, but be prepared for crowds.
As the peak season, expect lots of music, art, and cultural events. The city comes alive with Christmas and New Year festivities too, with street decorations and bustling Christmas markets selling gifts, crafts and food. The city’s Christmas lights are switched on during the Festival of Lights on the first Sunday in December. Kirstenbosch Gardens also hosts Carols by Candlelight the same day (book in advance). If you’re traveling with children, go and meet Santa at the V&A Waterfront.
For a unique glimpse of Cape culture, catch the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival (the Tweede Nuwe Jaar Parade) on January 2 at the city’s main public square, Grand Parade. Minstrel performers in colorful costumes dance, sing, and play authentic ghoema (small drums). Otherwise, visit in March for the Cape Town Carnival complete with stunning floats, elaborate costumes, and dancing.
Visitors should also expect crowds and higher accommodation prices – sometimes as much as 80% compared with the low season – especially the local school holidays which typically fall between mid-December and mid-January. If you plan on visiting around Christmas and New Year, plan to book a couple of months in advance.
Autumn (March-May) and spring (September-November) are the best time for hiking and winery visits
The shoulder seasons are beautiful in Cape Town. If you want warm weather with fewer crowds, this is the time to go. March, April and November, in particular, often have warm, sunny days, and little rain, suitable for swimming.
You’re much more likely to have attractions to yourself and, with temperatures hovering around the 77°F (25°C), this is the perfect time for exploring some of Cape Town’s hiking trails. Hiking is easier now than in the summer heat, and clear skies make for marvelous city views. Either walk up the iconic Table Mountain or Lion’s Head, or trek through the lesser-known Silvermine Nature Reserve.
This is also a lovely time to visit the nearby Cape Winelands. The wine estates in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl look gorgeous with colorful autumn leaves or spring flowers. They are also quieter than in the summer, allowing for a more relaxed experience.
Easter usually falls in March or April and there are often several Easter-themed events in Cape Town, including egg hunts and lunches at wine estates and restaurants. If you’re lucky enough to visit at this time, try pickled fish, this classic Cape Malay dish is a favorite at Easter.
June to November is the best time to visit Cape Town for lower prices
Winter brings cooler temperatures, rain and wind. This means fewer crowds and more affordable accommodation. It’s perfect for budget travelers.
During this time it’s good to focus on some of Cape Town’s indoor activities, especially on rainy days. There are several excellent museums and galleries in town, including the District Six Museum, dedicated to preserving the memories and history of the vibrant, multi-ethnic community that was forcibly displaced during the apartheid era.
Other good options include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art, with collections of works of emerging and established artists from across the continent; the Iziko South African Museum which showcases the country’s natural and cultural history like fossils and indigenous artifacts; and the Cape Diamond Museum, which gives visitors a comprehensive overview of South Africa’s diamond mining history. This is also the perfect time of year to try Cape Malay cooking at one of the excellent cooking schools in Bo-Kaap.
Winter is the best time for whale watching
One of the highlights of Cape Town’s winter season is the opportunity to witness the majestic southern right whales as they migrate along the coast. The whale-watching season runs from July to November, with the highest concentration of sightings typically occurring between August and September. While you can sometimes see the whales from the False Bay coast, opt for a boat tour to see the enormous whales up close.
Late summer and early spring are the best time for wildflowers
Wildflowers brighten the parks and reserves around Cape Town in August and September. The weather is mild and sunny, perfect for picnics surrounded by colorful flowers, including purple lupins and orange poppies, dotted with small blooms of meadowfoam.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden comes alive with red, blue, orange and yellow Namaqualand daisies; vygies in many colors; and blue flax which is hidden between the daisies.
If you have more time, head further afield to the West Coast National Park, an hour’s drive from Cape Town. From late August to September, it transforms into a colorful paradise with several species of wildflowers covering the landscape like white rain daisies, purple suurvy and blye sporrie. Wander through the trails surrounded by carpets of colorful flowers and see if you can spot some of the local antelope along the way.
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Week In Review: April 30, 2023
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When is the best time to visit France?
France’s massive appeal – those top-class cities, beaches and landscapes – beckons all year round, but there are certain times when it’s better to visit depending on what you want to do.
We’ve got all the insight you need on how to avoid the crowds, stretch your budget, navigate peak tourist season and the festivals you can’t afford to miss. Find out the best time to plan your next vacation to fabulous France.
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June, July and August are about peak times and sunshine
High season in France is hot and getting there can be hectic. Roads are usually a nightmare on the weekends, with traffic warnings going from orange to black. Hotel prices are at their peak, and you might need to book restaurants in advance. Many restaurateurs in larger cities will close for their own summer break. But it’s also the time when summer events and markets are in full flow, and you can enjoy glacier skiing in Tignes and Les Deux Alpes.
France celebrates the arrival of summer with the nationwide Fête de la Musique on June 21. Under hot summer skies, Nîmes and Arles get into a féria mood with Spanish-style parties and shows in their Roman amphitheaters. The iconic Le Mans 24-Hour Grand Prix kicks into gear and Nuit Blanche, when cultural sites are open all night, makes its move from October to June in 2023 to take advantage of the better weather.
Everything is happening at once in July – the incredible Tour de France, Bastille Day celebrations all around the country on July 14, major festivals in Avignon and Aix-en-Provence and Provence’s lavender fields in full bloom. Booking ahead is imperative and this isn’t the time for a budget break.
The Feast of the Assumption is on August 15 – another holiday when everything closes. Contrary to public opinion, Paris gently buzzes in August, especially on the Seine’s Paris-Plage and Parc de la Villette’s open-air cinema.
Enjoy a more relaxed pace in April, May, September and October
Everything is a little more easygoing and gentle during the French shoulder season. As France warms up from April onwards, particularly in the south, that’s the time for a more leisurely exploration among the spring flowers.
Even if Easter doesn’t fall in April, there’s a sense of the country opening up and shrugging off its winter hours. Cafe terraces become full again as people spend more time outdoors enjoying the warmer weather. The seasonal shift is celebrated at the International Garden Festival in Chateau de Chaumont-sur-Loire and the Bourges Spring Festival.
With two to four public holidays in May (depending on when Easter falls), opening hours can be a tad unpredictable. But May is also the month of the Nuits des Musées when hundreds of museums around the country open their doors for free from dusk till 1am. It’s also when the global sensation that is the Cannes Film Festival whirls into town and drenches the south of France in silver-screen glamor. Unsurprisingly, prices shoot up for the duration of the festival.
La Rentrée – when France goes back to work and school in September – signals the end of summer, but that’s also when villages hold their own festivals. The weather is as hot as August, but prices start to drop. Time your visit to make the most of the largest flea market in Europe at the Braderie de Lille or delve into American culture with a European twist at the Festival of American Cinema in Deauville.
October brings an autumnal mellowness, but you can still swim in the Med (and, occasionally, the Atlantic). It’s also harvest time, with wine fairs and food and drink festivals around the country. Join the party at Fêtes des Vendanges in Montmartre, Salon du Chocolat in Paris, and Fête des Vendanges in Banyuls-sur-Mer.
Enjoy lower prices and a slower pace between November and March
Apart from a brief burst of activity during Christmas and New Year’s, France’s rural regions go into hibernation mode. Opening hours get even more restricted than usual, with many restaurants open three to four days a week. But cities are still lively.
November brings plunging temperatures and two public holidays – November 1 and 11 – bring more closures as well as winter hours. But it’s a good time for a city break as prices go down. Sample gastronomic delights at the Annecy Wine and Food Festival or the Beaujolais Nouveau weekend.
France loves to put on a big show for Christmas. Even if you don’t ski, the magic of the mountains goes into overdrive when festive decorations come out. Watch Lyon come to life as the Festival of Lights bathes the city. When you’re not on the ski slopes, head to the shops for the big January sales – les soldes d’hiver. Quieter streets will make city breaks a pleasure, especially in the south where the weather can already feel mild.
February heralds the arrival of Valentine’s Day and, unsurprisingly, it’s taken seriously in France – book ahead if you’re planning a romantic weekend. It also marks the start of carnival season, some in anticipation of Lent, others just for the sheer fun of it. Shake off the winter gloom at Nice Carnival or the Menton Lemon Festival.
Spring comes with its own soundtrack in March in the form of world-class musicians – Festival Banlieues Bleues north of Paris. Enjoy some late-season skiing without February’s crowds.
Plan carefully for ski season
Ski season is huge in France but timing can be a delicate art. Early skiing in December can be tricky with the occasional lack of snow, but January is usually your best bet. Avoid February if you can, as half-term holidays are spread across the whole month. Prices rocket during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
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