Sydney edges it in January. Sydney averages 20–28°C with very high crowds; Cape Town 17–27°C with high crowds.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
Sydney and Cape Town
The verdict for January
Peak summer and huge event energy
+Peak summer, beaches and huge event energy.
–Christmas/New Year demand makes hotels expensive and popular areas busy.
Peak summer, beaches and huge event energy.
Hot, sunny and busy
+Warm weather and long summer days.
–Peak-season prices and crowds.
January is one of Cape Town’s busiest summer months, with warm, generally dry weather and long daylight hours. Beaches, coastal drives and outdoor dining are especially appealing, but visitor demand and accommodation prices are often high.
Scores and crowd levels are my own judgement; temperatures are monthly averages. Higher scores are better: quieter, cheaper and more pleasant.
Another month