WHERE TO STAY IN CAPE TOWN AS A TOURIST

If you are interested in where to stay in Cape Town, you may also be interested in where to stay in Johannesburg and where to stay in Durban.

Gardens and Tamboerskloof, the best areas to stay in Cape Town

Gardens

Being so close to the city centre, the Gardens neighbourhood already has advantages that appeal to the masses in which is one of the most well-known areas of the city for its safety, excellent transport links and own attractions and therefore is a perfect place to stay in.

The main things to see in this part of the city include the South African Museum, which hosts a great number of artefacts that have been found in the city as well as around the country and the South African National Gallery, which is home to a huge amount of South African produced art and has a very interesting exhibition on the history of censorship of art during Apartheid.

The South African Jewish Museum is another brilliant museum to check out due to the religions help in society and taking apart the Apartheid. Another fascinating place is the Company Gardens, which is the oldest garden in the country and was created back in the 1650s. Here, you will see various memorials, historic trees, herbs, fish ponds and little art galleries and museums.

The trendy streets of Kloof and Orange are home to a number of shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and these areas are the most vibrant part of the district at night with the best hotels found here too.

Tamboerskloof

This neighbourhood is one of the oldest residential areas in Cape Town and again is very close to the city centre but has a much more laidback atmosphere and means that it is an excellent choice to stay in. The fact that it is a safe neighbourhood with great transport links to other parts of the city also mean that this area is very convenient to have as base.

Most of the neighbourhood is made up of Victorian style homes, which supply beautiful pictures with the main street for shops, bars, restaurants and clubs being Long Street, which is one of the closest streets to the city centre. As you are so close to Table Mountain, you can easily get to the summit by cable car or by climbing and there are frequent buses from the neighbourhood that take you to the start of both the cable car route and the climbing route.

Other neighbourhoods to stay in Cape Town

Camps Bay

This suburb is literally the other side of Table Mountain from Gardens and Tamboerskloof and backs onto the Twelve Apostles mountain range. This area feels like it has its own village community but does have buses linking it up with other parts of the city and the neighbourhood is very safe, which makes it a good place to stay in.

A lot of people flock here to relax on its sandy beaches, which offer some excellent surfing as well as many other water sports. All along the palm-tree lined promenade, you will find a great array of shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs and hotels with luxury homes just behind this area. There are also numerous hikes and walks and provide spectacular scenery and ample photo opportunities.

Green Point

This popular residential area is known as the Soho of the city as it contains so much energy and vibrancy, which is driven by its young audience. It sits right in front of the sea, offering superb views of the city and ocean and is conveniently placed next to some of the most affluent neighbourhoods. From Green Point, everywhere is easily reachable and the district is known as a particularly safe area and these reasons are why it is a wise choice to stay in. There are lots of tourist attractions including the Cape Town football stadium, golf courses, Green Point Urban Park, Green Point Lighthouse and there are numerous stunning walks.

The walk to Lion’s Head offers panoramic views of the city and the promenade is a popular one to do at night, which is where you will find the main concentration of hotels, restaurants, shops, cafes and pubs.

Sea Point

Another safe neighbourhood to stay in, which is characterised by high-rise buildings as well as a variety of pubs, clubs, restaurants, shops and hotels all along its seafront. It is one of the main party spots in the city and this area has a decent amount of sport activities to do as well as visiting the beach and its parks, where you can take some time out. The area is close to the city centre, which makes it an ideal place to call home as you can visit the main attractions with ease.

City Bowl

This is where the heart of Cape Town lies, which is neatly nestled between the mountain and the harbour and is literally in the shape of a bowl. You can visit Table Mountain from here as well as visit one of its many museums, art galleries, restaurants, shops, bars, clubs, parks and beaches. It is known to be a safe area of the city and is a brilliant place to stay in due to its close proximity to the city centre.

Bo-Kaap

This former township, also called the Malay Quarter, is one of the most unmistakable neighborhoods in Cape Town. Located on Signal Hill’s slopes, this gem is populated with colourful, eclectic buildings affected by British and Dutch architecture, fragrant spice shops, cobbled roads and craft shops. There is no shortage of delicious Malay cuisine to sample and there are various day tours to choose from. If you want to know more about the district’s historical background and cultural legacy then visit the Bo-Kaap Museum in Wale Street. As an added bonus, the  V&A Waterfront is a mere 20 minutes’ walk away.

Observatory

This bohemian area is best for those seeking a diverse experience. Simply referred to as “Obs”, this quirky suburb is conveniently located along major public transport routes. Its well-known Lower Main Road offers a spectrum of interesting shops, restaurants and cafes, including the Obviouzly Armchair Backpackers and Pub where you can enjoy live music and comedy. Observe the cosmos from the South African Astronomical Observatory, play a round of golf at the River Club or attend the Heart of Cape Town Museum where the first heart transplant was performed. Cape Town Science Centre offers fun activities for adults and children.

Hout Bay

This affluent suburb, situated in a valley, is part of the city’s Atlantic Seaboard. Hout Bay Harbour beckons you for a taste of the ocean where you can savour local fish, such as the Cape Snoek, or catch a boat to the Duiker Island Seal Colony. There are a number of MyCiTi bus links and sightseeing bus tours available. Surfing, fishing and craft markets are just some of the activities on offer. It’s also home to the World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary & Monkey Park. A picturesque 20 minute drive via Chapman’s Peak Drive takes you to the City Bowl.

Bantry Bay

Situated at the foot of the bold mountain known as Lion’s Head you will find Bantry Bay.  A 90 minute walk to the peak gives way to pleasing vistas while a full moon walk offers an outlook of dazzling city lights. This secluded neighbourhood is wind-free, perfect for relaxing on the nearby Saunders’ Rocks Beach where you can enjoy brilliant sunsets. Other enjoyable activities to experience are the sought-after Clifton beaches, the landmark Sea Point Pavilion Swimming Pool and the vibrant nightlife of the adjacent Camps Bay. The President Hotel offers upmarket buffet meals at its resident The Islands Restaurant.

Newlands

This leafy suburb has a variety of guesthouses and hotels to choose from such as the Vineyard Hotel and Southern Sun. Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy hiking through Newlands Forest and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Sports enthusiasts will be happy to learn that the Newlands Rugby Stadium and Sahara Park Newlands are host to many sporting events, both featuring a spectacular backdrop of Table Mountain. The area boasts a number of pubs and is home to Newlands Brewery. The contemporary Barnard Gallery offers a visual feast of fine art while the award-winning Asian-style Angsana Spa promises a variety of
self-indulgent treatments.

Oranjezicht

This artsy village is conveniently located near the Gardens Centre, City Bowl and vibrant Kloof Street. The Labia Theatre on Kloof offers many cinematic experiences from arthouse to mainstream movies. De Waal Park in the City Bowl is a free-to-enter tranquil picnic spot where you can enjoy the Victorian Fountain and adjoining pond.

Purchase fresh organic produce at the Oranjezicht City Farm equipped with free Wi-Fi and kids’ entertainment. Challenge yourself by taking the Platteklip Gorge trail to the top of Table Mountain for breath-taking panoramic views of the Cape of Good Hope that extend far on a clear day.

Llandudno

Far from the busy city centre, over Suikerbossie Hill, you’ll find this concealed cove. This private area, accessible by only one main road, is well-hidden with no lights, no shops and limited visitor parking. Llandudno presents exclusivity and seclusion amid the 12 Apostle Mountain range, Little Lion’s Head and the Karbonkelberg Mountain.

For a naughty nudist experience visit the remote Sandy Bay beach, accessible via a 20 minute walk from the Llandudno parking lot. Test your endurance on the ravine hiking trails or find the secret Look-out Cave. When you feel like venturing out, Hout Bay is round the corner.

Clifton

This upscale neighbourhood has the priciest real estate in the country. Clifton’s beaches are the star attraction making it the perfect beach holiday. You have a choice of four coves named Clifton 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th beach, which are accessible by stairs. There aren’t any shops or restaurants in the area, but the trendy Camps Bay is a short drive away where you’ll find pubs, bars and restaurants. Nearby is Mouille Point, a chic neighbourhood featuring posh restaurants. After dinner you can enjoy a seaside stroll along Mouille Point Promenade extending past the candy cane striped Green Point Lighthouse.