Cape Town · South Africa
July
Peak whale season — and the cheapest month on the calendar.
Best match
#5 of 12 months
There are better months for Cape Town — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
16.8°C
Low
8.4°C
Rain
82mm
Sun
6hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How July scores in Cape Town
Weather
Average
Value
Outstanding
Crowds
Outstanding
Events
Very good
Atmosphere
Very good
What you gain in July
- ↑Peak southern right whale season: mothers and calves in Hermanus bay; the Walker Bay National Park whale watching is world-class
- ↑Hermanus Whale Festival (late July/August): the world's only land-based whale watching festival
- ↑Budget accommodation at its lowest — the entire tourism year inverted for those who know
What you sacrifice
- ↓Coldest month: 8°C lows and persistent rain — this is genuinely winter
- ↓82mm of rainfall across the month — most outdoor activities weather-dependent
- ↓Very limited beach and outdoor swimming; mountain hiking can be misty and cold
How July compares to September (best month)
| Factor | July | September ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 4 | 7 |
| Value | 9 | 7 |
| Crowds | 9 | 7 |
July in other destinations
Lisbon (25.9°C)Barcelona (28.4°C)Tokyo (30.5°C)Bali (29.8°C)Santorini (25.7°C)Paris (23.5°C)New York (28.5°C)Marrakech (36.3°C)Amsterdam (21.6°C)Maldives (30.2°C)Rome (30.2°C)Bangkok (31.8°C)Istanbul (27.9°C)Vienna (25.6°C)Seoul (28.6°C)Dubrovnik (28.3°C)Rio de Janeiro (25.1°C)Kyoto (31.8°C)Phuket (31.5°C)Prague (26°C)Amalfi Coast (31°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Cape Town, not across destinations. Methodology →