The metropolitan area of Cape Town covers a large expanse; from Cape Point in the South to Atlantis in the North, and Somerset West and Durbanville in the East. However, the city center is a fairly smaller area located between Table Bay and Table Mountain.

The Cape Town International Airport is well-connected with major international destinations and the most preferred international flights are British Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Turkish Airlines, KLM, and Emirates. O.R. Tambo is the gateway city while flying to and from Atlanta, New York City, and Washington DC. From October to March, direct flights are operated by charter airlines from all over Europe to Cape Town.

Planning a trip to Cape Town is, in particular, fun. However, deciding on which is the best time to travel to Cape Town requires a few considerations to be kept in mind. The city has typically warm and temperate Mediterranean-style climate. There is however seasonal variation throughout the year, sometimes even during a single day. Even though the best time to visit Cape Town would depend on your choice of itinerary, a few tips can help you a great deal.

Best time to travel

1. December to February

Cape Town’s summer season extends from December up to February and this is when the city sees most tourist footfall. Travelers from all over the world flock the turquoise beaches and white sands. The hotels are packed with tourists and the bookings must be made well in advance. The highest temperature reaches up to 25 degrees Celsius with an average of twenty-five millimeters of average rainfall. While the month of December celebrates the Observatory Festival of Arts, the January air is filled with the Cape Minstrel Carnival.

2. March to May - Best time to visit

Autumn in Cape Town takes up the months of March to May. Temperatures drop to a minimum of ten degrees Celsius with the rainfall ranging from 30-117 millimeters. The season marks the beginning of annual wine harvest, thus making it a significant season for vino lovers. Many wineries allow visitors to participate in gathering and juicing of grapes. The month of March sees the celebration of Cape Town Carnival, Infecting the City, and Cape Town International Jazz Festival while Constantia Food and Wine Festival is celebrated in the month of May making it the best time to visit Cape Town.

3. June to August

The winter months of June to August see fewer tourists, courtesy of the sporadic showers and chilly temperatures. The highest rainfall reaches approximately 150 millimeters with temperatures dropping to as low as eight degrees Celsius. The month of July organizes the Cape Town Fashion Week and the Cape Town Festival.

4. September to November

The Spring season comes with a burst of color with the plants in full bloom. It goes from September to November and a hike to the Table Top Mountain will give a spectacular panoramic view of the city filled to the brim with myriad colors. The day time sees a slight rise in temperatures with spells of showers and the lodging charges begin increasing nearing the tourist season. However, if a booking is done a month or two in advance there are chances of nabbing a pretty good deal. The city celebrates the Cape Town Diwali Festival and the Cape Town International Kite Festival during the month of October.

It is advisable to consider the above information while deciding about when to visit Cape Town as each season comes with its own set of benefits and vary according to each traveler. Ideally, the Autumn season that extends from the months of March to May are the best time to visit Cape Town for its favorable climatic conditions, budget-friendly accommodations, and last but not the least for the numerous events the celebrations of which rock the ambiance of the city.