Best time to visit Cape Town

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Cape Town

Best time of year to visit Cape Town

Late spring and early summer is the best time to visit beautiful Cape Town. With flowers blooming everywhere and still not so crowded beaches, the month of November and December are the most pleasant in the city. November is a perfect time for some safari in the nearby Kruger National Park, observing penguins, diving with white sharks, and watching breathtaking red sunsets. It's also the time to try local street food—roasted termites and mopane worms. January is a good time to party at Kaapse Klopse, the post-New Year carnival celebration full of great music and dances.

17 THINGS TO DO IN CAPE TOWN (ENERO 30 - FEBRERO 08)

Wine Harvest Festivities

Wine Harvest Festivities

February–March  • event

Wherever you are during the wine harvest time, there must be a festival there!

The Army of Ducks

The Army of Ducks

January–March  • activity

If you think ducks can't work in the wine-making business, visit South Africa and see for yourself

Playful Penguins Watching

Playful Penguins Watching

December–February  • nature

Penguins love to hang out on the Boulders beach a lot, but in summer they are exceptionally playful

Diving with the White Sharks

Diving with the White Sharks

October–May  • activity

If you are brave enough, diving with sharks may not seem such an insane idea!

Sandboarding

Sandboarding

November–March  • activity

Sandboarding provides you with a perfect mixture of sun and fun, and makes you look at the traditionally winter sports in a summerly way

Safari in the Cape Town Vicinity

Safari in the Cape Town Vicinity

November–February  • nature

The best known safari destination is Kruger National Park, but if you are short of time, you might also enjoy exploring the parks and reserves not too far from Cape Town

Seal Snorkeling

Seal Snorkeling

September–May • nature

One of the cutest experiences you can get in Cape Town that will provide a lot of positive vibes

Mopane Worms

Mopane Worms

late December–January • food

Try the traditional delicacy of South Africa

Roasted Termites

Roasted Termites

November–January • food

Close your eyes and you'll think you're eating pretzels or popcorn

Beach Season

Beach Season

November–March  • activity

The dry season is generally regarded as the best season if you fancy a swim and a beach leisure

Chapman's Peak Drive

Chapman's Peak Drive

all year round • activity

The most beautiful road in South Africa

Smiley, a Sheep's Head

Smiley, a Sheep's Head

all year round • food

A plate of sheep's head with a grotesque grin is an element of traditional cuisine

Perfect Kitesurfing

Perfect Kitesurfing

October–March  • activity

Ideal timing for kitesurfing!

Diving

Diving

December–February  • activity

With its corals, kelp beds, caves, seals and a plentitude of fish, diving in Cape Town will definitely leave the unforgettable impressions and memories

Bainskloof Pass

Bainskloof Pass

mid-October–mid-February • activity

Enjoy the ride over one of the most picturesque passes in South Africa

Num-Num (Carissa)

Num-Num (Carissa)

January–February • food

A wild vitamin-rich treat of the South African summer

Windsurfing

Windsurfing

October–March • activity

Incredible views and great winds await sailors in Cape Town

20 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Cape Town International Jazz Festival

Cape Town International Jazz Festival

out of rangeFebruary 23-24, 2024 • event

Star-studded lineup and high attendance make it number one music event in sub-Saharan Africa

Namaqualand Flowers

Namaqualand Flowers

out of rangeearly August–mid-September • nature

The only site in the whole world where a vast dry area annually transforms into a lush orange flowerbed, but only for a few short weeks

Kaapse Klopse

Kaapse Klopse

out of rangeJanuary 2 • event

The post-New Year celebration of the original value is a traditionally big event for Cape Town

Cape Town Carnival

Cape Town Carnival

out of rangeMarch 16, 2024 • event

A colourful and joyous celebration of all things Cape Town

Two Oceans Marathon

Two Oceans Marathon

out of rangeApril 14, 2024 • event

The world's most beautiful marathon

Rocking the Daisies

Rocking the Daisies

out of rangeOctober 3-6, 2024 • event

An open-air music party is the best way to kick off the South African summer season

Land-Based Whale Watching

Land-Based Whale Watching

out of rangeJuly–November  • nature

South Africa is one of the few places in the world where whales can be seen from the shore

Red Bull King of the Air

Red Bull King of the Air

out of rangeNovember 25–December 10, 2023 • event

The highlight on the kitesurfing calendar of Cape Town

Red Sunsets

Red Sunsets

out of rangeMarch–May | September–November • nature

The South African sunset is a colourful riot of blood-red, pink, gold, and auburn

AfrikaBurn

AfrikaBurn

out of rangeApril 29-May 5, 2024 • event

Join the art community for an unforgettable annual meeting and be prepared to find the new worlds!

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

Waterfront fireworks and countdown parties with Table Mountain in the backdrop

Ultra South Africa

Ultra South Africa

out of rangeMarch 1-2, 2024 • event

You don't have to be in Miami to feel the vibes of the world's best electronic music festival—it has already reached South Africa

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom

out of rangeearly September–early October  • nature

Travel to the countryside to see cherry orchards spring bloom throughout the country

Table Mountain Hiking

Table Mountain Hiking

out of rangeMarch–May | September–November (all year round) • activity

Reach the flat peak to have a look at the beautiful city panorama through the cloudy tablecloth

Wild Flowers in Bloom

Wild Flowers in Bloom

out of rangemid-August–late October • nature

The Cape Floral Kingdom might be the smallest in the world, but it is definitely the richest. Witness the magical spring blooming season yourself

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

out of rangeOctober 20, 2024 • event

The iconic Mother City of South Africa showcases the continent's remarkable athletic talent

The Bloom of Fynbos

The Bloom of Fynbos

out of rangeSeptember–early November • nature

One of the smallest floral kingdom and endemic species for South Africa's Western Cape province, fynbos, paints the world red in spring

South African Horrorfest

South African Horrorfest

out of rangeOctober 25–November 6, 2023 • event

A unique event celebrating Halloween in South Africa

Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing

out of rangeApril–October • activity

South Africa offers the best rock climbing in the entire African continent, with some spots being among the best in the world

Surfing the Big Wave

Surfing the Big Wave

out of rangeJune–August  • activity

Cape Town—the greatest place for surfing all year round. However, if you are an experienced surfer winter might be your best choice

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