Where to stay in Cape Town?

Cape Town City Centre: accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.

Staying in the Cape Town City Centre means choosing a lively, cultural district that radiates throughout the City Bowl : the historic city center. It was in this natural amphitheatre, situated between Table Bay to the north, Signal Hill and Lion's Head to the west and Devil's Peak to the south, that South Africa's Mother City was born.

When it comes to accommodation, you'll find something to suit every taste: from large international hotel chains to B&Bs and boutique guesthouses, there's something to suit every budget.

Staying at Cape Town City Centre means you can reach Green Point and the V&A Waterfront to the north, Woodstock to the west and even the southern districts of Gardens and Oranjezicht in just ten minutes by car. Even if you prefer to travel by car or public transport (you may have to cross major boulevards on foot), some places of interest are just a few minutes' walk away.

Staying in this part of Cape Town allows you to take advantage of the many places of interest nearby. Like the Fort of Good Hope, the Iziko South African Musuem. Or Bo Kaap, the Malay quarter famous for its magnificent colorful houses. It's probably the most photographed place in Cape Town.

But staying in Cape Town's city center also means enjoying the warm atmosphere of its evenings and lively streets. Long Street is the best-known bohemian street in the center. African music groups sometimes play in its bars and ethnic restaurants (notably Mama Africa). Its Victorian architecture is reminiscent of New Orleans. Staying here is a good way to reach Bree Street or Kloof Street, a veritable ecosystem of concept stores and hipster bars. In other words, trendy streets a little quieter than Long Street.

Victoria & Albert (V&A) Waterfront: the most popular tourist area

Located between Cape Town City Centre and Green Point to the north, V&A Waterfront is arguably South Africa's most visited destination.

Staying at the V&A Waterfront means staying in the area with the best view of the city. On one side, you're looking out over the ocean, and on the other, you're captivated by the grandeur of Table Mountain.

Even if its location is a little less central than that of City Centre, staying here means you can quickly reach the different areas of the city. Its residential marina makes this district one of the most popular. Its many pedestrian zones, all illuminated, make for safe walking at night.

For tourists, the Clock Tower Watrefront and its gigantic shopping mall can be seen in the harbour. And right next door, the Nelson Mandela Gateway. This is the starting point for boat excursions to Robben Island. This small island is famous for having been Nelson Mandela's place of detention for 18 of his 27 years of imprisonment.

When staying at Waterfront, it's important to bear in mind that accommodation is more expensive than in the city center. Here, you'll find luxury hotels and exclusive apartments. However, there's so much on offer here that you can also find tasteful accommodation on a more reasonable budget. For first-time visitors, staying at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town is suitable for all types of travelers. Accommodation at the V&A is therefore a very good compromise between location and budget.

Staying at Sea point: a popular neighbourhood for locals

Located to the west of the city's historic center, between the Atlantic Ocean and the foot of Signal Hill, Sea Point is an upscale residential suburb. It's appreciated for its proximity to the ocean. It's a great place to live, making it one of Cape Town's most densely populated neighborhoods.

Accommodation is plentiful and more affordable than in Camps Bay and Clifton. The district offers all the necessary amenities in a pleasant setting.

People come here for the sandy beaches such as Milton and Saunder's Rock. But the main attraction is the Sea Point Promenade. This footpath stretches from Mouille Point to the south of the Faubourg. It's a popular 7 km walk along the Atlantic Ocean, overlooked by Lion's Head.

Other tourist attractions in this area of Cape Town include

• an Olympic-sized public seawater swimming pool, popular with swimmers.
• for hiking enthusiasts, the starting point of the Lion's Head Hiking Trail, a 2 to 3-hour hike leading up to Signal Hill. Suitable for hikers of all abilities, it offers breathtaking views of Cape Town on one side, and the suburb on the other.

Its unobstructed view of South Africa's west coast makes it the place to be if you're looking for a magnificent sunset over the ocean. Sea Point is home to numerous sushi bars, pizzerias and small fast-food outlets. There's something for everyone.

As you can see, accommodation in this part of Cape Town combines the beach side of things, proximity to hiking starting points, and budget. It's a great place to stay.

Accommodation in Green Point / Mouille Point: Cape Town chic and relaxation

The respective histories of Green Point and Mouille Point are inseparable. This chic district developed mainly from the 1940s onwards, taking its cue from the urban evolution of Rio de Janeiro's waterfront, to become a trendy residential suburb.

To stay here is to take advantage of its central location. But also its paved seafront promenade, which runs along the Atlantic coast. It's a popular strolling area for Cape Town residents.

The range of accommodation is smaller and the prices are the same as in Waterfront, for example. You'll find family-run hotels and Georgian-style guesthouses. This green district is a good pied-à-terre, both quiet and upscale. It's a safe place to walk around.

From a tourist point of view, staying in Green Point means you're within easy reach of many of the city's other places of interest:

• the V&A Waterfront
• Bo Kaap, the Malay quarter with its colourful houses
• the Sea Point promenade
• the gay-friendly De Waterkant district, with its pretty, colorful houses
• Cape Town Stadium, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. A guided tour of the stadium is also available.

On the gastronomic front, Green Point is also known for its espresso bars, Italian restaurants and burger joints. Particularly on Main Road.

For an even more tranquil night's sleep, you can stay slightly further afield in Mouille Point. This district offers trendy fish and grill restaurants, with terraces facing the Atlantic. Mouille Point is a small suburb on the outskirts of two main roads (Beach Road and Bay Road).

The Green Point lighthouse has become the emblem of Mouille Point. It is the oldest operational lighthouse in the country. It is often used as a landmark by locals to give directions around this part of town.

Stay at Camps Bay and Clifton: Cape Town's popular beaches

These white sandy beaches are just a few kilometers from the center of Cape Town. They are bordered by the mountains known as the “12 Apostles”. The clear, translucent ocean water that surrounds them makes these beaches one of the region's must-see spots.

Staying in the upmarket areas of Clifton or Camps Bay means living in the rich and sought-after districts of Cape Town. If your budget allows, you'll find luxury accommodation close by.

For hiking enthusiasts, staying in these outlying areas of Cape Town means easy access to Kasteelspoort Starting Point. This is the starting point for hikes on Table Mountain. Staying in Camp's Bay also means being as close as possible to the beach. It's considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Camp's Bay has a lively atmosphere at all hours. The main street, Victoria Road, is packed with trendy seafood restaurants, fashionable pubs and boutiques. At Christmas or Easter, its popularity makes it a lively and often crowded place.

Clifton, just north of Camp's Bay, is an upmarket residential suburb. At the foot of Lion's Head Peak, Clifton is known for its 4 white sandy beaches separated by granite boulders. The homes nestling on its cliffs offer panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Some of them offer apartments or villas for seasonal rental.

To sum up, staying in Cape Town in the suburbs of Clifton or Camp's Bay meets the following needs:

• stay as close as possible to a surf spot
• rest with the family, at the start or end of a road trip in South Africa
• take advantage of trendy places to party

Accommodation in Gardens or Oranjezicht: Cape Town's residential south

Located directly below Table Mountain and Lion's Head, these Cape Town neighborhoods are primarily residential.

Gardens and Oranjezicht are quiet, with magnificent, well-preserved Victorian houses:

• Gardens is set in the heart of the city, its name deriving from the fact that its heart is a former kitchen garden.
• Oranjezicht is higher up, offering splendid views over the entire City Bowl. It was named after the farmhouse built in 1670, which overlooks Oranje, the bastion of the Fort of Good Hope.

For trail fans, just south of Gardens is the Pipe Track Trail Run. It's a popular trail for local runners. Camps Bay beach can also be reached in just ten minutes by car.

Gardens and Oranjezicht are good alternatives for accommodation in Cape Town. Prices are lower and the range of accommodation is varied. These trendy neighborhoods are home to many chic restaurants, hotels, guesthouses and boutiques. There's also a wide choice of places to stay, appealing to travelers looking for the peace and quiet of a residential area.

Without a car, it's best to stay in Gardens. It's possible to reach the center without transport via the trendy Kloof Street.

In the same area, in the southern part of Cape Town, we could also mention the Vredehoek district. It's even higher up, but unlike the other two, it's mainly residential, with virtually no tourist accommodation.

Accommodation in Constantia: close to the Botanical Gardens, but not just there

Staying in Constantia (or Constantia Heights) means choosing to live outside Cape Town. This suburb is located on the other side of Table Mountain, some 30 minutes from the center by car.

Located to the south-east of the mother city, staying here means staying as close as possible to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens: a must! This immense park of several hundred hectares is one of the most renowned in the world, not only for its collections, but also for its location on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. With a view of the mountain, visits are most enjoyable in spring when the plants are in bloom. In summer, from November to March, locals often gather here for concerts.

Considered Cape Town's most affluent suburb, it is one of the oldest. Here you'll find beautiful homes in a green, natural setting. It was also here that Cape Town's first wineries were built. Enthusiasts can enjoy tours, wine tastings and cheese and charcuterie platters.

Although not necessarily a preferred option for a first stay in Cape Town, accommodation in Constantia remains an interesting alternative if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. There are a number of interesting hotels where you can stay away from the hustle and bustle.

Staying in the Cape Peninsula

Some travelers visit Cape Town without making a detour to the peninsula to the south. But that's a mistake, because it's clearly a shame not to!

Given the number of points of interest to be discovered, it's best to drive around the peninsula, taking your time. Taking advantage of the peninsula from one of Cape Town's districts is not necessarily the best solution. If you want to take your time and get the most out of the peninsula, it's best to stay for even one night.

The main points of interest on the peninsula are :

• Muizenberg, a seaside resort famous for its colorful huts. It is considered the birthplace of surfing in South Africa. It's easy to find pro shops where you can rent equipment. Or bars where you can relax over a drink.
• Fish hoek, a small coastal town on False Bay. It's not the prettiest, but you can enjoy some seafood here.
• Boulders Beach, a must-see beach in Simon's Town, the main town to stay in on the Cape Peninsula. The beach is specially designed for observing penguins playing in the turquoise water. Or just swim alongside them. A guaranteed experience!
• Cape Point Nature Reserve, where you can observe animals such as baboons and mountain zebras. From April to October, you can even theoretically spot whales offshore. The point is also famous for its black-and-white lighthouse and the “Flying Dutchman” funicular railway. This provides a magnificent view of the surrounding area.
• the Cape of Good Hope, reached after a short walk along the Cape of Good Hope Walk.
• the Chapman's Peakenpanoramic road, a ten-kilometer cornice running along the Atlantic coast. Listed as a national monument, it offers numerous viewpoints.

It's ideal to stop off and stay overnight, so you can explore the area over two days. The southern part of the peninsula is protected, so no accommodation is available. If you're looking for accommodation on the Cape Peninsula, you'll have to go to the coast, to Simon's Town for example, where there's a wide range of accommodation on offer. All types of accommodation are available, to suit all budgets.