Cape Town in May

Cape Town in May

Climate

Winter arrives in Cape Town, but not with great force, as the city experiences a fairly mild winter. Daytime temperatures average just below the 20°C/68°F mark, while evenings can drop to around 10°C/50°F. Expect some cloudy and rainy days.

Best Regions

• In response to the colder weather Cape Town moves its social scene indoors. It’s the perfect time to explore indoor markets, live music nights, theater performances, and classic movie screenings at the iconic Labia Theatre.
• The Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival takes place at the end of the month at the Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch.
• In the Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch hosts the annual Oyster & Bubbly festival, while the Franschhoek Literary Festival is centered around writers, classical concerts, and fine dining.

Travel Tips

The cooler weather and coming winter mean there aren’t many outdoor activities, but Cape Town makes up for it with great indoor events. Accommodation and flights are generally at their cheapest around this time of the year.