5 Cape Town Hostels You Should Book (And Which Ones to Avoid!)

If you’re planning a trip to Cape Town and want to stay within your budget, you should book hostels for your accommodation. After staying at least 50+ hostels over the past few years of travel and exploring most of the Cape Town hostels, you could say I’m somewhat of an expert now.

I’m here to share what makes a good hostel in Cape Town, to provide tips for booking hostels and what to avoid at all costs!

How to Choose a Hostel in Cape Town

• Book ahead of time – If you’re coming to Cape Town during peak season (December-March), you’ll want to book your hostel ahead of time. You might not get a room if you rock up the day of so I always recommend booking at least 3 nights to start somewhere.
• Location is everything – Luckily, most hostels are located in good areas but each location is very different. If you want to party, the hostels on Long St will be your best bet. If you want to be closer to the beaches/water and a bit out of the CBD, Greenpoint is great and if you want a bit of that party atmosphere but a little more chilled, Kloof St is perfect.
• Pay attention to reviews – I always check reviews on Booking.com and Hostelworld before booking a place, especially if you’re planning to stay for a while. I also look out specifically for hostels that have a generator (for when Cape Town is experiencing load shedding), strong wifi and somewhere with a good common area to hang out!

The Best Hostels in Cape Town

1. Never @ Home – Kloof St (Formally called ONCE)

Address: 73 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa, Website & Where to Book!

Average Price: $19-23/night in a dorm room (dependent on the season)

This was the second hostel I stayed at in Cape Town. It was originally called ONCE but they changed ownership and renovated the entire hostel a few months after I arrived.

Here’s why I think it’s the best hostel in Cape Town:

Location – You can’t go wrong with being based on Kloof St.

Staff – The staff working at this hostel are a dream. They’re super friendly and if you stay there long enough (like I did), you’re bound to become friends with them. Kamva was a bundle of joy from the moment we met and made my experience in Cape Town great!

Rooms – Unlike most hostel dorm rooms that have 10,12,14 + people in them, each dorm only have 4 people. All rooms have a great view as well. The side facing Table Mountain is my fave but I also enjoyed waking up to a view of Lion’s Head!

Common areas – There’s a big room next to reception with a huge table for those who are working remotely from Cape Town to use. There are also bean bag chairs if you just want somewhere to hang out. The wifi is reliable throughout the hostel and you can also hang out outside at the restaurant Yours Truly or in the back garden by the kitchen.

Kitchen – If you like making your own healthy meals from the hostel, you won’t be disappointed with the kitchen. It has everything you need and plenty of space to store your food for the week. There’s also a freezer if you buy any frozen goods.

Price – When I first stayed at this hostel it was $10/night! Of course, it was during the shoulder season in November 2021 when I first visited. Their prices have increased since they switched ownership but it’s still a great budget option!

Downsides – No A/C. In the summer it gets really hot and the overhead fans aren’t the best at keeping the rooms cool. Regardless, I easily spent at least 2 months at this hostel and even came back to visit and work from there when I found a shared house to live in.

I couldn’t recommend this hostel more!

2. Villa Viva

Address: 3CF6+45 De Waterkant, Cape Town, South Africa, Website & Where to Book!

Average Price: $25-28/night in a dorm room (dependent on the season)

I also had a great experience staying at Villa Viva!

It’s different from most hostels I’ve been to for a few reasons. It’s actually more of a guesthouse with many options for private rooms and only one women’s and one men’s dorm room.

Here’s why I liked Villa Viva:

Location – Villa Viva is just a few minute walk from Kloof St so it’s also in a great location. With that being said, it’s also next to the neighbourhood called Bo-Kaap which isn’t the safest place. If you’re staying at this hostel make sure you aren’t walking around the nearby streets at night. You can find all of my Cape Town safety tips here!

Their mission – I actually spent a few weeks staying at this hostel because I did a work exchange with them. I provided them with social media strategy to share the projects they were working on. The hostel is owned by an organization called Viva Con Agua. Their mission is to provide clean drinking water to those who need it most. They operate various water projects around Africa and other parts of the world. A portion of what you pay to stay at Villa Viva goes directly to supporting these projects.

Pool – This is key, especially if you’re coming to Cape Town in the summer. It gets insanely hot from December – March so it’s awesome to have a pool to jump into if you don’t feel like going to the beach.

Homey feel – Since this isn’t like any regular hostel, you definitely feel more at home. There are a few different buildings that make up Villa Viva. You’ll find lots of seating throughout the property (inside and outside), a garden in the back, a banana tree you can get fresh bananas and more.

Workspaces – If you need to get any work done – this is a great spot. Villa Viva has high-speed internet and many people work remotely there. There’s a nice outdoor common area, as well as a table and seating near reception to work.

I can’t say anything bad about Villa Viva. The main difference between this hostel and Never @ Home on Kloof is the price point. Villa Viva is always more expensive but you can find decent rates for the dorm room. Since there aren’t many dorms, they book up quickly so if you want to stay here book it in advance!

3. Never @ Home – Greenpoint

Address: 107 Main Rd, Green Point, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa, Website & Where to Book!

Average Price: $22-29/night in a dorm room (dependent on the season)

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This was the first hostel I stayed at in Cape Town and I spent at least 2-3 weeks here in total. It’s located in the Greenpoint neighbourhood. Greenpoint is nice and there are SO many different coffee shops, restaurants, etc nearby.

It’s also within walking distance to the V&A waterfront and Oranjezicht market. Although Greenpoint is a good location, it’s not as central as the ones around Kloof St so that’s where it started to lose points for me.

Regardless, it’s still a good option and here’s why:

Big kitchen – Of all the hostels I stayed in, this one had the best kitchen. There were many stovetops and fridges to store your food. It was always kept clean and there was a nice big table to eat meals.

Workspaces – Many people also work remotely from this hostel and there are many great spots to sit and work. They also have a section that doubles as a standing desk, which is great if you’re spending the whole day on the computer and want to stretch your legs.

Aircon in rooms – This was one of the few hostels I encountered in Cape Town that had air conditioning. This was definitely a plus during the 40+ degree days in the summer months!

4. A Sunflower Stop Backpackers

Address: 179 Main Rd, Green Point, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa, Website & Where to Book!

Average Price: $15-21/night in a dorm room (dependent on the season)

I spent a month living at A Sunflower Stop Backpackers at the very end of 2023. I was volunteering so I was staying for free in a tiny room that can really only be classified as a closet, however, their paid rooms are really nice!

I’m not going to lie, I didn’t have the best experience there overall as a volunteer but there’s no denying that the amenities and overall vibe of the hostel are great. Plus, the price wasn’t bad either!

Here’s why you might want to consider staying at A Sunflower Stop:

Location – It’s in Green Point as well so it’s a good location. I didn’t love that it was right off the main road because it could get a bit loud but overall it was a solid location.

Well-equipped kitchen – The kitchen had everything you needed and lots of space to sit and share a meal or eat alone.

Spacious rooms – The rooms were very spacious compared to other Cape Town hostels which was nice!

Price – It remains one of the most affordable hostels in Cape Town which is great if you’re a budget traveller or trying to save some money!

5. The BIG – Luxury Backpackers (was previously Atlantic Point Backpackers)

Address: 18 Thornhill Rd, Green Point, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa, Website & Where to Book!

Average Price: $35-48/night in a dorm room (dependent on the season)

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Unlike the previous hostels I’ve listed, I haven’t actually stayed here yet because it’s recently been transformed into a new hostel.

With that being said, I heard from a few people who have stayed here when it was Atlantic Point and had a good experience!

The Big is located in Greenpoint as well so if you’re looking for another hostel in that area, that might be a good one to check out!

One thing to keep in mind is that this hostel is the most expensive one I’ve seen in Cape Town and they don’t have many dorm rooms. But if you’re looking for a nice getaway and some time to yourself, it would be worth booking a private room here.

Cheapest Backpackers in Cape Town

Mountain View Backpackers on Wale Street is one of the most affordable accommodations in Cape Town, with dorm rooms starting at about $10 per night.

It’s in the heart of the city, providing easy access to major attractions, including the V&A Waterfront and the Robben Island Ferry, both just a short distance away.

That said, I WOULDN’T book here.

This hostel doesn’t have the best reviews and only 5.3-star rating on Booking.com.

Instead, if you’re looking for a cheap hostel to stay in, your best bet would probably be Long Street Backpackers at around $14/night in a dorm room.

Long Street Backpackers wouldn’t be my first choice for an affordable stay but has an 8.2 rating on Booking.com and is in a good location.

The Worst Hostels in Cape Town

If you stay at hostels often, you’ll know that not all of them are great. The same goes for the hostels in Cape Town. I’d definitely avoid these hostels if I were planning a trip to Cape Town:

1. 91 Loop

This hostel was my least favourite. The location was alright but Loop St isn’t the best area to be in. The main reason I didn’t like this hostel very much is because it felt more like a cheap hotel. There wasn’t a good atmosphere, there was no kitchen to make food and it was attached to a loud (not very popular) restaurant.

The rooms were okay but a little strange. I was there in November when the variant of the pandemic was going around so it might have just been a weird time. Regardless, there were only two other people in my 10-person dorm room. The staff at the hostel weren’t the best, aside from an older man who made me tea when I was feeling a little run down.

2. Long St Backpackers

I didn’t stay at Long St Backpackers but got the chance to tour it when I went to meet up with a friend. It’s attached to a busy bar on Long St which can be fun for a night or two but would likely get old very quickly. Long St is definitely a dodgy area and I never felt safe walking there, even in the daytime.

The kitchen of the hostel was very small, the rooms didn’t look very clean and I didn’t have a great experience with the staff there. There are much better budget accommodation options in Cape Town!

3. Ashanti Lodge Gardens

Again, I never stayed at Ashanti Lodge Gardens but a friend I met at another hostel was staying there for about a week. The location is okay, it’s near the Never @ Home on Kloof but a little hidden. From what my friend had told me, the rooms weren’t very nice and the people who were staying there were all quite strange.

While I’ve never stayed there myself, I wouldn’t stay there unless there were no other options.

Other Cape Town Blogs You Might Find Helpful

• How to stay safe during your time in South Africa
• 26 exciting activities and things to do in and around Cape Town
• Wondering what nightlife is like in Cape Town? This guide has you covered with the best bars & clubs!
• Where to watch the most incredible sunsets in Cape Town
• The perfect way to spend a day in Cape Town
• A guide to my favourite hike in Cape Town (easy and perfect for sunset)

Final Thoughts

The hostels in Cape Town are decent.

They’re not like the hostels you’ll find in South East Asia or more popular destinations.

With that being said, they are quite affordable and there are a few that are great if you’re looking for a cheap place to work remotely from!

I’ll be back shortly with another blog but in the meantime, you can follow my full-time travels around the world on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Cheers,

Amy XX