Where should I stay in Cape Town, you ask? The expansive Mother City is home to a multitude of smaller suburbs and communities, each of which has its own unique appeal and advantages for tourists. The Best areas to stay in Cape Town rely on personal preferences because each area of the city has something unique to offer. And everyone wants to travel safe, so it is best to know where it’s good for you during your vacation.
Cape Town, a culturally diversified city with outstanding natural beauty and a bustling city centre bursting with museums and cultural attractions, is sandwiched between mountains and the ocean. In addition to serving as a starting point for travellers interested in South Africa’s wildlife, Cape Town has a ton of breathtaking vistas to offer those eager to explore its wealth of attractions.
In this article, Mrpocu.com will some of the best areas to stay in Cape Town, South Africa. From some of the popular tourist destinations to some of the local friendly areas in Cape Town.
Best Areas To Stay In Cape Town
Green Point
With a name like Green Point, it should come as no surprise that this community has a beautiful urban park where locals and visitors may picnic, jog, or just relax in the sun. Visitors that stay in the Green Point neighbourhood are close to both Sea Point and the city centre because it is situated between them. Additionally, the region is home to a number of attractions catering to a range of interests. Staying at Green Point allows visitors to view a number of sites without having to drive far from their lodging. Outdoor enthusiasts can trek the Promenade up to Green Point Lighthouse and experience the historic landmark as well as the vistas in addition to the vast urban park, which includes an outdoor gym and an adventure park.
Football enthusiasts should take the Cape Town Stadium Tour, where visitors can stroll across the field and see the stadium jail in addition to opulent box seats. Sushi and traditional African food are both available on the menus of the local eateries, and after dinner, guests may witness a live performance at the Theatre at the Rockwell.
Green Point, one of Cape Town’s most attractive neighbourhoods, is a popular choice for tourists looking for a base in Mother City. Many places to stay in the Green Point area have sea views that look out toward Mouille Point, but these choices frequently sell out quickly. If possible, travellers should make their reservations as soon as possible.
Gardens
The Gardens area in Cape Town is situated above the City Bowl and lies next to Signal Hill and Table Mountain, directly beneath Lion’s Head and Table Mountain. The stores, hotels, and restaurants, especially those close to the city centre, reflect the fact that young professionals live in this region. The Gardens neighbourhood, despite its name, has less green space than Green Point, however, De Waal Park is the location of the exclusive Gardens Lawn and Tennis Club. However, De Waal Park is a well-liked public area, particularly among dog walkers. During the spring, it is also a well-liked location for outdoor concerts.
Four arthouse movie screens are available at the Labia Theater, which is close to the district’s city centre entrance. A number of museums and galleries, as well as the Company’s Garden, are accessible to guests staying on this side of town on foot.
For guests staying outside the district, there are a number of guest houses and a few villas nearby. It is a somewhat safe area for tourists and is easily walkable during the day, making it perfect for having lunch at one of the town’s quaint eateries or cafes.
Tamboerskloof
Tamboerskloof, a suburb connected to the greater City Bowl sector, is located between the Gardens and Bo-Kaap neighbourhoods. The suburb’s past is reflected in the Victorian-style homes, and strolling through the calm, tree-lined lanes is a pleasure. This neighbourhood, which is at the very foot of Lion’s Head, is situated at a small inclination, giving many of the residential sections spectacular views of the city.
Simply strolling around the streets lined with shops and pausing for a bite to eat along Kloof Street’s restaurant mile will allow visitors to enjoy this neighbourhood. Tamboerskloof is placed close to a multitude of attractions while still providing a calm refuge while on vacation, with both the Bo-Kaap area and the city centre nearby.
Sea Point
Arriving in the enormous city of Cape Town can be intimidating, but not too far from the city centre, the Sea Point district offers travellers a tranquil respite. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll along this popular landmark’s Sea Point Promenade, which offers beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean. The Promenade frequently features art pieces for walkers and joggers to enjoy, while pubs and cafes are just a short distance across the street. A great escape from the summer heat is Sea Point’s two kiddie pools and a large public pool.
Outdoor enthusiasts will discover that Sea Point’s neighbourhood centre is not far from either the ocean or the mountains. Saunders Beach is a well-liked location for beach strolling and tidal pool swimming, and Signal Hill’s Lion’s Head hiking trail is nearby.
Along Main Road are dining establishments, nightclubs, and retail stores that provide tourists with a relaxing escape from Cape Town sightseeing. One of South Africa’s first Italian eateries, Pizzeria Napoletana, which has been serving up slices since 1958, is also located in Sea Point. The neighbourhood is one of the best places to stay in Cape Town.
The Sea Point neighbourhood is home to many hotels, many of which provide breathtaking views and luxury amenities for relatively affordable costs. In addition to being more affordable and offering a more individualized experience than larger hotels, condos and guest houses are also available.
City Bowl
A dynamic metropolis with a constant buzz of activity is Cape Town’s core business district. The City Bowl area, which is shaped like an amphitheatre, is bordered by various natural features, including Table Bay, Signal Hill, and Devil’s Peak. The neighbourhood comprises the port, a variety of suburbs, notably the energetic Woodstock neighbourhood and De Waterkant, among others, in addition to the flourishing business sector.
City Bowl, the centre of Cape Town, is home to a wide variety of bars and eateries, notably on energetic Bree Street. Visitors can go to Long Street for a cup of coffee and some shopping, where bookstores and pubs happily coexist.
Travellers who want a lively nightlife scene close to their lodging should consider staying in the City Bowl area. The neighbourhood also houses Cape Town’s main railway station, making it simple for visitors to use this area as a base to explore other areas of the city. Due to the fact that City Bowl actually encompasses a number of nearby areas, travellers wanting to stay there have a variety of possibilities. Apartment-style lodging is a common choice in this region, with various price ranges and levels of luxury.
V&A Waterfront
For your first trip to Cape Town, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is the ideal starting point. Although there is a lot to do here, it is also a great location from which to explore. The lodging options inside the Waterfront include self-catering apartments, a jail-turned-hotel, and five-star luxury hotels from around the world.
This is the ideal location to be if you want to be surrounded by city energy because it is a region that never sleeps and is particularly crowded on weekends. The Cape Town Eye, Cape Town’s permanent luxury Ferris wheel, and the Jolly Roger Pirate Boat, which departs from Quay 5 every day and offers an exciting experience, are both located in the V&A Waterfront.
The Two Oceans Aquarium, which imaginatively contrasts the richness of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, will appeal to families. You may get your own take-home bag to fill with precious stones at Mineral World, which is right across the street. To round up the day, play a friendly round of indoor miniature golf.
Travellers are urged to experience the city’s sights from The V&A Waterfront, which is simple to do on a half-day Table Mountain and city trip. Visit Signal Hill while you’re here to witness the firing of the noon gun, which is a thrilling experience in and of itself. Signal Hill and Lion’s Head surround Table Mountain. These three hills and mountains are worth seeing, especially if you love the rush of adrenaline because you can tandem-paraglide off Signal Hill and abseil down Table Mountain.
Clifton and Camps Bay
If you’re searching for a picturesque, laid-back spot to stay when you’re in Cape Town, go no further than Clifton and Camps Bay, two sister areas with mansions and exquisite homes constructed on the steep slopes overlooking the crystal-clear blue sea. These places, which are about 20 minutes from the city centre, are ideal for those who wish to unwind, enjoy gorgeous, wide-sand beaches, wander along the “Camps Bay Strip,” and sip cool sundowners as the Main Road begins to come alive.
Go out for dinner and a show for a more sombre evening. Theatre on the Bay, a 238-seat theatre with a small stage that presents top-notch dramas, comedies, musicals, and cabarets, will keep you entertained. Make sure to reserve a table for dinner and savour a delectable meal before settling in to see the performance. It is one of the best areas to stay in Cape Town.
Newlands
A green residential area called Newlands is around 15 minutes drive from the city centre. Modern Cavendish Square is a well-liked shopping centre with national and international retailers, a food court, coffee shops, and movie theatres. There is ten-pin bowling available, a gym for those looking to stay fit, Rush Trampoline Park is entertaining for kids and a terrific workout for parents, and of course, the weekend nightlife makes this a popular location.
Numerous thrilling local and international rugby matches are held at Newlands Rugby Stadium, where devoted, occasionally raucous audiences flood in while wearing face paint and waving flags and banners. On game days, merchants selling food, rugby gear, and memorabilia line the streets surrounding the stadium, creating an exciting atmosphere.
The Cape Cobras play their home games at Newlands Cricket Ground, where you may relax on the lawn in the sun or watch from a seat in the stadium. Test games, ODIs, and T20s are also played at these cricket grounds. If you are travelling with your family, you should surely take into account Newlands and the nearby suburb of Claremont.
Bo Kaap
Prepare to shoot a lot of photos here! This vibrant, pleasant area, which is not far from Signal Hill and the City Center, is very historically significant! It will be difficult not to have the best time ever in Bo Kaap with its historic colonial homes from the 1750s that are painted in pink, lilac, orange, and blue.
Since many of the locals are descended from the free slaves who were imported from Africa, Sri Lanka, India, and the Indonesian Archipelago, there is a bit of a cultural mingling here. Bo Kaap is a lucky place to visit for any foodie who wants to sample as many different international cuisines as they can. This area, sometimes referred to as the Malay Quarter, is teeming with eateries, cafes, and pubs. Bo Kaap is one of the best colourful areas to stay in Cape Town.
De Waterkant
Technically speaking, the fashionable and up-and-coming De Waterkant district is a part of the Green Point neighbourhood and is located just north of the Bo-Kaap. De Waterkant, often known as the “pink district,” is a pleasant and accepting neighbourhood for the LBGTQ community thanks to its assortment of gay-friendly clubs, restaurants, and other establishments. De Waterkant is one of Cape Town’s greatest neighbourhoods for tourists seeking speciality cocktails and a vibrant bar scene. De Waterkant is a well-liked area for food and drinks enthusiasts due to the abundance of international cuisine that is nearby.
The FIFA World Cup Fan Walk, which immediately crosses De Waterkant Village, has been a well-liked tourist attraction since 2010. And for visitors coming to Cape Town in March, this area is among the best in the city for viewing the Cape Town Carnival, a colourful parade that lines the streets with floats and performers and ends in a street party for everyone to enjoy.
De Waterkant is a visually stunning and easily walkable accommodation option in Cape Town that is conveniently situated and safe for tourists. A number of apartment rentals and cottages can be found in this area, which is a suburb of the larger City Bowl core. The majority of these properties have affordable rents and are close to public transportation.
De Waterkant Village, a collection of separate cottages and guest houses with European influences that boast attractive architectural elements and considerate amenities, is one of the greatest places to stay in Cape Town. Although these lodgings lack fitness centres, the area is teeming with yoga studios, which is perfect for tourists who don’t want to skip a workout while on vacation.
Woodstock
Woodstock is a young, trendy neighbourhood that started out as farm cottages and fishermen’s houses. It is now edgy and alive. In one of Cape Town’s oldest neighbourhoods, brilliantly colourful graffiti now covers the coffee shops and vintage shops that line the streets. This artistically rich area is popular among Cape Town inhabitants and visitors seeking an authentic experience. It is young and varied. Younger people are drawn to Woodstock because of its urban redevelopment, and many of them have embraced the area’s unique aesthetic and built on it.
The best way to explore the area is on foot by meandering up and down the streets, looking in the numerous antique shops for a funky old lamp or an African market stall for some dangly new earrings, then tucking into some inexpensive food at one of the many cafés lining the streets. Along with a thriving food scene, the area is teeming with coffee shops and breweries where you can unwind and people-watch.
The majority of lodging options in Woodstock are guest homes, apartments, and studios, however, there are a few prestigious hotels lining the neighbourhood’s periphery. Budget tourists will value the backpacker’s lodge in town, but overall, lodging costs here are not prohibitively high, a hostel or not. Travelling around the Western Cape is simple thanks to the proximity of the Esplanade and Woodstock train stations.
Muizenberg
Muizenberg must be the surfer’s village if there is one in Cape Town. Muizenberg is a terrific destination for a surf and tan since it has mouthwatering ice cream, humming coffee shops, and trendy eateries. If you want to learn to surf, there are several options along the coastline. You can also rent simply a board and wetsuit and enjoy time in the ocean if you already know how to hang ten and catch those big waves.
Families will love the beach in Muizenberg. Children enjoy exploring tidal rock pools where they may look for little fish, periwinkles, starfish, and other wonderful sea life. Just be aware that sharks do occasionally frequent these warmer waters. Shark spotters patrol the area every day and will sound the warning if they see a shark in the water, telling everybody in the water to get out and head to the shore.
Simon’s Town
Simon’s Town is located just ten minutes down the shore as you head towards Cape Point. This is a wonderful neighbourhood in Cape Town and the ideal place to stay if you enjoy the coast. In addition to housing the South African Navy, this historic neighbourhood once served as a market where farmers could sell their goods to neighbours.
Today, enthusiastic divers can earn their PADI certification through Pisces Divers, and once certified, they can discover amazing shipwrecks or enjoy swimming with seals. The Cape Town Bicycles offer a strange sense of freedom as you “bike” over the sea as part of a tour for those who would rather stay above the water.
Renting a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or enrolling in a lesson that will have you standing and effortlessly gliding over the ocean in an hour is another enjoyable pastime in Simonstown. Due to the layout of the bay, there are seldom any waves here, making it ideal for SUPers. Due to the flat, clear sea water, kayak excursions are also very popular here. Those who are eager to see African penguins should definitely reserve a kayak tour that will take them to Boulders Beach’s renowned colony.
Kommetjie
The magnificent Chapman’s Peak or Cape Point, which you should visit while you are there because of the area’s natural beauty and abundance of wildlife, is how you get to Kommetjie, which is located in what is known as “The Deep South” of Cape Town. If you can live with a “no shoes” attitude, Kommetjie has the sense of a vacation town with a very laid-back way of life. You will love it here if you can.
The Slangkop Lighthouse, the tallest in the southern hemisphere and constructed of cast iron, is just a short stroll from Kommetjie village. If pre-arranged, tourists can enter the lighthouse and ascend the circular lighthouse’s steps all the way to the top, where they can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean.
The historic Kakapo Wreck, which ran aground in fog in 1900 while on way to Sydney, Australia, can be reached by strolling down the dunes. After your walk, if you’re feeling a little hot and uncomfortable, you may cool yourself in the Atlantic Ocean’s crystal-clear, icy waters. It doesn’t feel crowded even during peak season, making it a fantastic place for families looking for a relaxed day out as well as surfers, SUPers, and kayakers.
Observatory
As it’s known locally, Observatory is a true melting pot of cultures. It is a popular destination for bohemian backpackers, and the majority of the lodging is found in lively, inexpensive hostels. There are numerous art galleries, boutiques with unique and vintage apparel, and health food shops.
Numerous pubs and eateries that cater to all tastes are also available, providing a lively nighttime scene that lasts into the wee hours of the morning. Less than six kilometres—or a 10-minute drive outside of peak hour—separate Observatory from the City Bowl, which is on all the major public transportation lines.