Climate
Winter is at its peak in July, with daytime temperatures on most days struggling to exceed 20°C/68°F, although you might encounter the occasional mild day. Evening temperatures can drop below 10°C/50°F, and you can also expect a fair bit of rain and wind.
Best Regions
- On rainy days, visits to the Two Oceans Aquarium, Zeitz Mocaa, and the Cape Town Comedy Club in the V&A Waterfront make for a great day out, as do craft beer tastings in Newlands or wine tastings in the Cape Winelands and Constantia.
- In rebellion against the cold weather, restaurants across the city turn cozy with roaring fireplaces at night and live music offerings to warm cold bones. Evenings at the Labia, Artscape, or Fugard theaters are a treat, and throughout July, the Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch hosts a comedy festival called the Funny Festival.
- The Cape Winelands town of Franschhoek celebrates its French roots with Bastille Day on the 14th of July.
Travel Tips
Cold, wet and windy weather lessen the city’s outdoor activities and events, but Capetonians have long since learned to simply move the vibe indoors. Local schools have their winter holidays at the month’s end, leading to crowds at popular tourist destinations.