10 top reasons to love the weather in Cape Town

An overview of the main reasons why Capetonians adore the weather in Cape Town and surrounds

No matter whether you’re in Sydney, Tokyo, New York, Amsterdam, London or Berlin: the weather is always the topic of the day and Cape Town is no exception. But Capetonians don’t just talk about the warm winter days or the balmy beach weather; they talk about The Cape Doctor, the table cloth, the South Easter and four seasons in one day. And they talk about it a lot, so better get your facts straight so you’ll be able to chat along. Why do we love (to talk about) the weather in Cape Town so much?

1 – Winter, what’s that?

First of all, using the word ‘winter’ for the period from May to August is a major overstatement. Winters in Cape Town can be rainy and windy, but are mostly mild and sunny. You can compare winter in the Mother City with spring in London, Amsterdam and Berlin. Capetonians have dubbed winter ‘the green season’. Sometimes it might get a bit chilly, especially because most houses don’t have central heating. But no worries; just make sure you’re equiped. And otherwise flee your house and check out the restaurants with cosy fireplaces in Cape Town and surrounds. 

2 – The Cape Doctor

The Cape Doctor is the local name for the strong south-easterly wind – also known as the South Easter - that blows from False Bay and funnels through the Hottentots Holland mountain range and Table Mountain to Cape Town and Blouberg.  Two reasons to love The Cape Doctor: First, it brings a comforting, cool breeze during the warm summer in Cape Town. Secondly, the doctor clears the sky of smog and pollution, which means you’ll have amazing clear views of Cape Town’s city bowl from Table Mountain.  And fresh air. Be sure to read our informative overview of the Cape Doctor

3 – Ideal conditions for extreme sports

Ready to hit the waves of South Africa, but no idea what the ideal time for surfing in Cape Town is? Challenge The Cape Doctor and the waves during summer in Cape Town! The persistent wind during Capetonian summer makes for an ideal surf setting. Muizenberg, Llandudno and Noordhoek are popular surfing spots in Cape Town. Blouberg might be the most infamous place in Cape Town to go for a surf. Table Mountain and the Hottentots Holland Mountains create a funnel whenever The Cape Doctor blows. The result: consistent winds focused on Blouberg. This makes Blouberg the ideal place for kite surfing in Cape Town.

4 – Spring flower festivals in Cape Town

Spring in Cape Town means flowers are blossoming everywhere you go. Reason to celebrate the glory of Mother Nature! During the spring months – September and October – you can enjoy a broad range of local spring flower festivals in Cape Town. At the end of August or beginning of September a hundred meter long ‘Flower Carpet’ is rolled out at V&A Waterfront during the Waterfront Spring Flower Show. Other popular spring flower festivals take place in Tulbagh and Clanwilliam. A range of wild flowers are displayed, illustrating the natural beauty and diversity of Capetonian flowers and plants.  Check out spring flower festivals happening in August and September

nd Sept

5 – The autumn colours in the Winelands

Autumn covers Cape Town and surrounds in shades of red, yellow, orange, scarlet and brown. A day trip to the Cape Winelands is more than worth it if you love to witness the impact of autumn in the mountainous areas. Autumn in Cape Town is the time for the March Lily to blossom in full glory. Enjoy the amazing colours on the slopes near Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl while drinking a glass of wine on one of the wine farms in Cape Town and surrounds.

6 – Photogenic Cape Town

Most people would prefer a perfectly clear sky to a clouded sky. But photographers must love the Capetonian clouds: they contribute to the perfect setting for a sunset photo shoot. Climb up Lion’s Head, take the cable car up Table Mountain, have a sundowner in V&A Waterfront or watch the sun go down in Camps Bay. You don’t really have to be a professional photographer to take beautiful pictures in Cape Town. Cape Town is photogenic just the way it is...

7 – The Table Cloth

No, this is not your ordinary table cloth, it’s an extraordinary natural phenomenon unique to Cape Town. It looks like a witches’ cauldron steaming with a mystical fog. Urban legend has it that the table cloth over Table Mountains is caused by a smoking contest between the devil and a legendary local pirate called Van Hunks. Check back to number six on this list: the Table Cloth is definately worth a picture!

8 – Hiking and cyling in Cape Town

Autumn is the ideal season for cycling and hiking because of the mild and mellow weather. Two of the major South African sporting events – the Two Oceans Marathon and the Cape Argus Cycling Tour – are held in and around Cape Town in March and April. Not really into marathon running or cycling? Try the mountain bike and hiking trails up Table Mountain, walk through the Cape Winelands or have a picnic in Groot Constantia.

 9 – Life’s a beach

Does perfect summer weather exist? No, it doesn’t, but summer in Cape Town does get really close. So whenever you’ve had a long day at the office, make sure to pack your swimming gear and head to popular beaches in Cape Town such as Camps Bay and Clifton Beach to catch the last bit of tanning weather and the sunset. Or why not head a bit further out of Cape Town and visit the beaches of Llandudno, Noordhoek or Muizenberg? Nice summer fact #1: humidity is low so your hair won’t frizz. Nice summer fact #2: Summer days in Cape Town rarely hit a temperature of 30-plus, so don’t worry about being drenched in sweat or having to spray multiple cans of deodorant.

10 – Never bad weather in Cape Town

The weather in Cape Town is so enjoyable because you can never actually say that the weather is bad. That is the beauty of living on a mountainous peninsula: it might rain in the City Bowl, then again, it might not on the other side in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Always try the other side of Table Mountain before judging the weather in Cape Town!

By Elske van der Velden

For more information, be sure to read our in-depth overviews of Weather, Climate, Seasons, the Cape Doctor and our Weather Forecast.

Cape Town isn't all about beaches and sundowners. There are plenty of things to do when the sun isn't shining. Check out our overview of Things to do When it Rains in Cape Town