Where is the Best Area to Stay in Cape Town? Ultimate Guide

Cape Town is soon to be your favourite city in Africa and if you’re in the midst of planning a trip there, you might be wondering what the best area to stay in Cape Town is.

When I first came to Cape Town in 2021, I had no idea which neighbourhood would be best to stay and only really figured it out through many months of trial and error. This guide will help you find the best spots to stay in Cape Town whether you’re on a solo trip, visiting with a partner or your family! 

The Best Neighbourhood to Stay in Cape Town

Cape Town, like many cities, have a couple of main areas that are great for tourists to stay in. Because Cape Town doesn’t have the best reputation for its safety, I’d recommend staying in one of these neighbourhoods during your first visit. 

Gardens 

There is SO much going on around Gardens. It’s the first neighbourhood I ever stayed in when I first visited Cape Town and I’m currently staying here while I write this post. 

Most of the hostels, hotels and Airbnbs are located around Kloof Street, which is part of the city bowl.

It’s a very touristy area and probably feels like one of the safest areas to stay in Cape Town! You have easy access to amazing restaurants, cafes, bars within walking distance and incredible hikes and beaches just a short drive away. 

When I think of Gardens, I think of convenience and how much you can do in this part of Cape Town. 

Bo Kaap

Bo Kaap wouldn’t be my first recommendation for a place to stay in Cape Town but I stayed there for about 2 months before. 

It’s a pretty good location overall with an interesting history, however, there can be some sketchy people lingering around Bo Kaap so if you’re planning to stay in this area DO NOT walk around alone. Even in the daytime, it can be unsafe to walk alone in Bo Kaap so if you’re staying in this part of Cape Town, make sure you’re taking Uber to get around. 

Read my Cape Town safety guide here to ensure you stay safe during your visit!

De Waterkant 

While I’ve never stayed in De Waterkant personally, I’ve met many people who have stayed there in a popular coliving, as well as friends who have rented an apartment there for a month or two. 

It’s a pretty central neighbourhood, making it a good location to explore. That said, it’s similar to Bo Kaap when it comes to walking alone. Be careful when you’re walking in this area alone. 

Green Point 

I’ve also spent a lot of time staying in Green Point over the many months I’ve been in Cape Town and it’s a great neighbourhood! 

It’s within walking distance to the V&A waterfront, the park, the Oranjezicht Market and Sea Point Promenade. 

Green Point is right beside Sea Point but generally a cheaper area to book accommodation so it’s great if you’re on a budget! 

Sea Point 

Sea Point is one of the more expensive parts of Cape Town and you’ll see that reflected in the price of accommodation. 

It’s right near the water, making it an attractive choice for a place to stay. There are lots of great restaurants, cafes and bars in Sea Point so you’ll never get bored, plus there’s the Promenade you can walk or run along on a sunny day. 

I used to attend a weekly skate meetup in Sea Point and skate along the promenade at sunset and it’s some of my best memories from Cape Town. 

Read about how I travel with my skateboard here!

Bantry Bay 

Bantry Bay is one neighbourhood over from Sea Point and is also very affluent. 

I had a couple of friends living in Bantry Bay and loved how you could easily walk down to the rock pools or Clifton Beaches! I stayed with them for a few nights before going to a festival and they had an amazing view from their shared house.

If you’re a beach person and want to be right there, Bantry Bay is a great option! 

Camps Bay 

Camps Bay might be the most expensive neighbourhood to stay in while you’re in Cape Town. It’s prime real estate with Camps Bay Beach at your fingertips, as well as many restaurants, bars and cafes. 

If you’re visiting Cape Town for your honeymoon or a special vacation, Camps Bay would be a great place to stay! There are plenty of stunning boutique hotels to choose from and because the dollar, euro and pound are a much higher value than the South African Rand, you might be able to find a good deal on accommodation here if you’re visiting from abroad. 

Bakoven 

Bakoven is also along the seafront so you’ll have incredible views if you stay here! 

That said, it’s probably best explored if you have a car to get around to other beaches and shops. You could walk to nearby areas in the day but I always recommend taking an Uber if you can afford to do so. 

Hout Bay 

Hout Bay is a little out of Cape Town but only about a 30-minute drive. 

This is a great place to stay if you have a car and want to explore the areas outside of the Cape Town city centre as well. 

Hout Bay has a regular market, great restaurants and a harbour to check out, so it’s an interesting spot to stay. 

Muizenberg 

If you love to surf or want to learn how to surf, Muizenberg might be the place for you! 

It’s also only about a 30-minute drive from Cape Town and is known for its surf. Muizenberg can get pretty windy but is a beautiful spot and has a very relaxed vibe.

There’s a stunning coastal walk you can take from Muizenberg to Kalk Bay, which I’d recommend doing around sunset! 

If you’re staying in this area, don’t forget to stop by Blue Bird Market each Thursday and Friday night.

Blouberg

Blouberg is another short drive from Cape Town – roughly 25-30 minutes north of the city. It’s a popular spot for kitesurfers because of the wind conditions.

Blouberg is a stunning beach town with incredible views of the entire city (picture a postcard of Cape Town). 

That said, it’s a much slower pace of life than the inner suburbs of Cape Town so it calls for a certain type of person to really enjoy. 

Cape Winelands 

Have you heard of the Cape Winelands? 

It’s an area about an hour’s drive from Cape Town and is made up of different neighbourhoods such as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, which are known for their wineries. 

This is an absolutely stunning part of South Africa and while it’s not exactly part of Cape Town, you should definitely consider a visit there or spending a couple of nights in the area! 

Read more about how to plan a trip to the wineries in Stellenbosch and the wineries in Franschhoek here. 

Type of Accommodation in Cape Town 

There’s a wide range of options when it comes to accommodation in Cape Town and what you choose really just depends on the budget you’re working with! 

Hostels

Hostels in Cape Town are the most affordable option for tourists and can range between $15-30/night on average. When I first came to Cape Town in 2021, hostels were about half the price but the city is getting more and more expensive each year as tourists flock from around the world (but mainly Germany and The Netherlands).  

I’ve stayed at most hostels in Cape Town and if you’re looking for one in a good location at a solid price point, I’d highly recommend Never @ Home on Kloof St. 

Address: 73 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

Book This Hostel: Dorm rooms start at around $22 USD/night

Other Budget Accommodation Options

If you’re trying to save a little money on accommodation in Cape Town, there are a few other options you might want to try out! 

The first is doing a work-trade. This is best if you’re planning on staying in Cape Town for at least a month and want to get your accommodation for FREE. Yes, you read that correctly! 

I spent a month volunteering at a hostel in Cape Town at the end of 2023 and got a free room. In exchange, I was a bartender at the hostel. I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t glamorous but it saved me hundreds on accommodation costs.

Get 20% off a Worldpackers membership when you sign up here! 

Another option is housesitting. I haven’t done this in Cape Town yet but I’ve done it in Europe and North America and had great experiences! 

You essentially sign up to look after someone’s pet while they’re away on vacation and get a free place to stay. This is a great option if you’re travelling with a friend or partner but you also need to look for the opportunities months in advance and they aren’t as flexible as work-trades with the dates. 

Get 25% off a TrustedHousesitters membership when you sign up here!

Airbnb

Airbnb prices are going up around the world so you might struggle to find a good deal (especially during peak season in Cape Town). 

That said, you can often find people that are on Airbnb, offering a room in a shared house for a much better price than if you were to book the place by yourself. 

Regardless, you’ll be looking at anywhere from $50/night for a shared Airbnb – $200+/night.

Coliving

If you’re planning to work remotely while you’re in Cape Town, a coliving might be the best option for you! 

There are a couple of good ones with working spaces but they’re definitely more expensive than hostels and sometimes more than an Airbnb. 

Hotels

Of course, hotels are usually the most expensive type of accommodation you can book in Cape Town. 

That said, there are SO many beautiful hotels in and around the city. If you have your eye on one in particular and you’re planning to visit in summer (Nov – Feb), make sure you book it well in advance! 

Also, if you can find smaller hotels that are locally owned, it’s a great way to try and keep your tourist dollars or euros in the South African economy. 

Long-Term Rentals

Long-term rentals are actually the most affordable option but can be hard to come by. If you’re staying in Cape Town for a couple of months or up to a year (if you’re on a working or student visa), you’ll get a much better price on a shared house than you would at a hostel. 

I stayed in a shared house in Bo-Kaap in 2022 and the nightly rate worked out to be around $13 USD. I think it would be incredibly difficult to find a rental at that price in 2025.

Prices for accommodation have really skyrocketed and made it incredibly difficult for locals to find housing. 

If you’re considering long-term housing, I urge you to think twice and if you do, rent from a local so that the money stays within the South African economy!

Sustainable Rental Options

One way you can travel to Cape Town a little more sustainably is by choosing sustainable places to stay. 

What does that mean? 

Well, you can look for hostels, hotels or homestays that are locally owned so that the money you’re bringing into the economy actually stays within the country. A lot of properties on Airbnb are foreign-owned and therefore aren’t contributing to the economy in South Africa. 

Instead, it’s just making rent prices go up for locals which has become a massive problem here. 

If you have a house, another way you can travel to Cape Town in a sustainable way is by doing a house swap! Kindred is a platform where you can match with people from other countries and organize a house swap. 

Best Area to Stay in Cape Town for Couples 

I’ve been dying to come to Cape Town with my partner because there’s truly so much to see and do in the city. While we haven’t visited together yet, I’ve been keeping tabs of different accommodation options for our trip here (someday!). 

The Radisson Red 

I stayed at the Radisson Red in 2022 and it’s a beautiful hotel on the V&A Waterfront. They have fairly affordable prices for couples and it’s in a great location. Plus, you really can’t go wrong with their rooftop pool and stunning views of the city! 

Look at their different room options in Cape Town now.

Villa Viva 

Villa Viva is a beautiful hostel/guest house with a couple of dorm rooms and many private rooms as well. I volunteered here for about a month in 2022 and it’s truly a beautiful property. 

They have a mini cafe on site, a pool for hot summer days and a portion of your stay goes towards water projects in Africa through their organization Viva Con Agua. 

Browse Villa Viva’s room options here.

Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel in Spa 

Cloud 9 is an amazing boutique hotel just up the road from Kloof Street! 

I visited in 2023 to check out their rooftop bar and was amazed. The rooms look beautiful and it’s also a fairly affordable and romantic stay for couples! 

Book a room at Cloud 9 for as low as $104 USD/night.

Best Place to Stay in Cape Town for Families 

Coming to Cape Town on a family trip? 

The first place that comes to mind is the V&A Waterfront! 

There’s lots around that area that you can do with the entire family, it’s a safe area and it’s centrally located so it’s easy to get to the best beaches, markets, restaurants and more. 

If you’re not interested in the waterfront, I’d suggest somewhere around Green Point, Sea Point or Camps Bay. Plus, the Winelands are a beautiful family getaway for a couple of days outside of Cape Town. 

Best Places to Stay in Cape Town Near the Beach

Luckily, most places in Cape Town are located within a 10-15 minute drive or less from the Atlantic Ocean so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from! 

So honestly, any of the areas I’ve mentioned above are great if you want to be close to the beach. Clifton, Bakoven and Camps Bay are all on the beach but will be most costly to stay.

Best Area to Stay in Cape Town for Nightlife 

If you’re all about the nightlife in Cape Town, first of all, you should check out my blog about the best bars and clubs in the city. 

And you should probably stay on Kloof or Long Street if you want to be right where the action is! 

Best Hotels in Cape Town 

I’ve had my eye on a couple of different hotels in and around Cape Town.

Here are the ones I’d recommend looking into: 

• Tintswalo Atlantic – A secluded, five-star lodge at the foot of Chapman’s Peak, offering breathtaking ocean views, luxurious suites and an intimate escape perfect for a romantic getaway. Rooms start at $785/night.
• Gorgeous George – A chic boutique hotel in the heart of Cape Town, blending historic charm with modern design, a trendy rooftop bar, and easy access to the city’s top attractions. Rooms start at $200/night.
• One & Only – One of Cape Town’s most prestigious resorts, featuring opulent suites, world-class dining, a private spa island, and unbeatable views of Table Mountain. Rooms start at $1,200/night.
• Labotessa Luxury Boutique Hotel – An ultra-exclusive, all-suite hotel offering personalized service, timeless elegance, and a prime location in Cape Town’s historic district. Rooms start at $645/night.
• Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel – A stylish, heritage-filled retreat in the vibrant Gardens neighborhood, with beautifully designed rooms and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Rooms start at $550/night.
• Vida Nova Retreat – A tranquil eco-luxury retreat in Hout Bay, ideal for nature lovers looking for a peaceful stay with a focus on sustainability and relaxation. Rooms start at $140/night
• POD Camps Bay Boutique Hotel – A sleek, contemporary hotel just steps from Camps Bay Beach, offering minimalist luxury, ocean-facing suites, and a serene atmosphere. Rooms start at $345/night.

Some Areas to Avoid in Cape Town 

Although Cape Town is an incredible destination, you should always be mindful of safety when choosing where to stay. Like in any major city, some areas have higher crime rates than others and are less safe for tourists. 

Here are a couple of places I’d avoid when you’re in Cape Town: 

Cape Flats

The Cape Flats is a large area outside of the city centre which is known for its high crime rates and gang activity. While it has a rich history and resilient communities, it’s not a safe place to explore as a tourist. 

Specific neighbourhoods such as Mitchells Plain, Nyanga and Philippi consistently rank as some of the most dangerous areas in South Africa. These townships experience high levels of violent crime and you shouldn’t visit as a tourist. 

Cape Town CBD (Certain Areas) 

The CBD of Cape Town is bustling during the day but can be very sketchy at night, especially on streets that are isolated. You should never walk anywhere in Cape Town at night but please don’t walk at night in the CBD. 

Long Street is near Gardens (Kloof St) but you’ll notice a big difference between how both streets feel safety-wise. Long Street has a lot going on when it comes to nightlife but it attracts a lot of pickpockets and opportunistic crime. 

Woodstock

It’s fine to check out Woodstock during the day (the Neighbourgoods Market is a fun time!) but be careful. Never have your phone out on the streets in Woodstock, as it’s common for people to run past any chance they get to steal your phone out of your hands. 

Beaches After Dark 

When the sun goes down, make sure you’re calling an Uber to get you back to your accommodation. I’ve heard a couple of horror stories from tourists and locals who have stayed on the beaches at night so it’s never something you should do! 

Isolated Hiking Trails 

One of the most annoying things about Cape Town is that you can’t hike alone. There are so many stunning hiking trails but you shouldn’t go alone because sometimes thieves wait to catch a tourist and mug them. 

Of course, this doesn’t happen all the time and usually, if you’re with at least one person you should be fine but at certain times of the year (especially near Christmas) muggings on popular hikes like Lion’s Head and Table Mountain become more common. 

What About Load shedding? 

Have you heard of load shedding? 

It’s when the power is cut at least once a day to conserve power when the city is running low. It happens all throughout South Africa and Cape Town is actually the least affected by load shedding. 

That said, it came as a massive surprise when I first landed in the city and the power was out. You can download this app to check the load shedding schedule in the neighbourhood you’re planning to stay in. 

Also, many hotels will have a backup generator and aren’t affected by load shedding so it’s worth asking about that before you book somewhere! 

If you’re staying somewhere without a generator, don’t worry. 

Loadshedding isn’t the end of the world. If it’s happening during the day, there’s always a cafe with a generator (usually Bootleggers) you can go to. 

As Cape Town’s tourism grows, load shedding seems to be happening less and less so it shouldn’t be a big concern. It can sometimes go weeks or months without load shedding now.

Other Cape Town Blogs You Might Enjoy

• Take the plunge and go bungee jumping while you’re in South Africa!
• 5 of my favourite and least favourite hostels in Cape Town
• Full guide to hiking Kloof Corner at sunset (possibly the best sunset spot)!
• Sleep inside a CAVE near Cape Town! My fave weekend getaway

So What’s the Best Area to Stay in Cape Town?

TLDR; the best area to stay in Cape Town (in my humble opinion) is probably Gardens or Sea Point. Of course, this will really depend on what exactly you’re hoping to do when you’re here and if you’re travelling solo, with a partner or family.

Regardless, I hope you found this post helpful!

I’ll be back shortly with another blog but in the meantime, you can connect with me on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube!

Cheers,

Amy xx