Where to stay in Cape Town

Why stay here?

If it’s your first time in the city and you want a mix of ocean views and urban energy, start here. The Atlantic Seaboard lies between the mountain and the sea, running through Green Point and Sea Point to Clifton and Camps Bay. It’s one of Cape Town’s appealing areas to base yourself, at least for a few nights, and it’s perfect for first-time visitors to the city. It’s close enough to the city centre for sightseeing and nightlife, the V&A Waterfront nearby (don't miss the Time Out Market Cape Town!), and yet there are beaches, sunset walks and a holiday atmosphere on the doorstep. Fancy a dip in a tidal pool or public swimming pool? Some of the city’s best are on this side of town.

Within the ‘Atlantic Seaboard’ different stretches have their own personalities. Green Point is good for nightlife and easy access to the city and the ‘Pink Quarter’ of De Waterkant. Sea Point is cosmopolitan and walkable with a vibrant restaurant scene. Clifton and Camps Bay bring a dose of glamour and some of the city’s best beaches (if you can take the cold water).

Where to eat & drink

This is one of Cape Town’s best areas for dining. The Green Point ‘strip’ along Somerset Road is lined with trendy restaurants, bakeries and busy brunch spots. Sea Point has fantastic neighbourhood cafés, delis and casual restaurants, and we rate Regent Road as one of the coolest corners of Cape Town right now. The Camps Bay beachfront is all about trading a morning swim for long lunches, cocktails and tables facing the sunset. Want a rooftop bar for sunset in Cape Town? There are great options here too.

Because the great Atlantic Seaboard ritual is sundowners. Walk the Promenade, take a picnic to Clifton, or grab a seat at one of the many cocktail bars and restaurants. The best seats are snapped up fast, so get there early.

Don’t miss

Walk, jog or cycle along the Sea Point Promenade, then cool off in one of the tidal pools or at the landmark Sea Point Pavilion. Explore the four beaches of Clifton, or hire a lounger on the palm-fringed Camps Bay.

Why stay here?

If you plan to pack a lot of sightseeing (and nightlife) into your stay, the CBD, Gardens and neighbouring Bo-Kaap are your go-to. Here you’re within easy (often walking) reach of the city’s best museums, galleries, shops and nightlife. Not to mention some of Cape Town’s best restaurants. It’s also a good base if you like exploring a city on foot during the day, rather than hopping in a car every time you leave your accommodation.

There’s history everywhere, from the Company’s Garden and old civic buildings to the cobbled streets of the culturally rich Bo-Kaap. Bree, Long and Kloof streets are brimming with bars, clubs and restaurants, while many of the best independent design boutiques, galleries and coffee shops are here in the inner city. Don’t miss a wander through the up-and-coming East City district either.

Where to eat & drink

Our advice? Come hungry. Central Cape Town is a hotbed of great food, from serious tasting menus at fine-dining restaurants to ramen dives, burger joints and tiny bars. Bree Street is a reliable starting point, but half the fun is wandering down side streets and seeing what turns up.

Bo-Kaap adds another layer of culinary adventure: this predominantly Muslim suburb is the place to discover the rich Cape Malay culture, from fragrant curries and home dining to samosas and koesisters on street corners.

Don’t miss

Start in the historic Company’s Garden, where museums, the National Gallery and centuries of Cape history cluster around one leafy pedestrian spine. From there, explore the shops and galleries of the CBD before climbing towards Bo-Kaap for its brightly painted homes and Cape Malay heritage.

Save some energy for after dark. First Thursdays turns the central city into one sprawling gallery-and-street party each month, but Bree (for food and wine), Kloof (restaurants and bars) and Long (bars and nightclubs) streets are lively throughout the week.

Why stay here?

Cape Town’s West Coast offers that postcard view: Table Mountain floating across Table Bay, Robben Island in the distance, and kitesurfers carving across the water.

But beyond the views, the West Coast – the suburbs of Milnerton, Table View, Bloubergstrand and Big Bay – is a good choice for travellers who value space, beaches and an easy-going coastal lifestyle over proximity to the city centre (20 minutes to an hour by car, depending on traffic) and nightlife. There are plenty of self-catering Airbnb options on the West Coast, often at more affordable rates than you’ll find closer to the city. Although a MyCiti bus route and e-hailing are available, having your own car makes exploring much easier.

Where to eat & drink

Eating out on the West Coast is more laid-back than in the city, and the beachfront strips around Blouberg and Big Bay have plenty of casual and family-friendly options. The best places offer wonderful sunset views, with fewer crowds than you’ll find in Camps Bay. This is easy eating rather than destination fine dining, although the nearby Durbanville Winelands offer a handful of more elevated restaurant options.

Don’t miss

Bloubergstrand Beach is the main attraction, offering the classic Table Mountain postcard shot, and it also draws kitesurfers from across the world thanks to the steady summer cross-shore winds. Further north, Big Bay is home to one of Cape Town's best surf breaks. From here, you’re also less than an hour from the wonderful West Coast National Park and close to the famous Durbanville Winelands.

Why stay here?

Away from the inner-city buzz and seaside sunsets, there’s another Cape Town to discover. Stretching away from the green eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the Southern Suburbs offer leafy streets, wine farms and some of the city’s grandest old neighbourhoods.

Rondebosch, Newlands, Claremont and Constantia put visitors closer to everyday suburban Cape Town – ideal for Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Newlands Cricket Ground – while still keeping the city centre within easy reach. It’s particularly appealing to families, repeat visitors and long-stay guests. Outside rush hour, it’s just a 20-minute drive to the city and the Atlantic Seaboard.

Stay in Constantia and you’ll be in the heart of South Africa’s oldest wine region, while the beaches of False Bay are close by for a morning tidal pool dip. Getting around? The Southern train line is the most efficient in the city, and a great daytime option to access the city or False Bay.

Given the suburban feel, at rental properties across the area you’ll get more space and amenities than if you stay in the inner city and along the Atlantic Seaboard.

Where to eat & drink

The Southern Suburbs reward a little exploration. Rather than a single dominant restaurant district, there are pockets of excellent dining scattered across Newlands, Claremont, Harfield Village and Constantia: neighbourhood bistros, bakeries, coffee shops and family-run favourites. Ask a local for their favourites, or start with one of our picks from these old-school Cape Town classic restaurants.

Perhaps the exception to that rule is the Constantia Winelands, where elegant wine estates host some of the country’s most celebrated restaurants, serving up world-class fine dining with a side order of vineyard views.

Don’t miss

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a must, spanning the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Nearby Newlands Forest is popular with locals for weekend wanders, with trails ranging from easy strolls to longer hikes.

And don’t miss Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine-growing valley. Vineyards, historic Cape architecture and mountain scenery make it an easy half-day excursion… but a lazy lunch and a few wine tastings may make it considerably longer.

Why stay here?

You’ve been to Cape Town before (perhaps more than once). You have family in tow who want to be near a swimming beach. You’re staying for a week or longer. Perhaps you just want a slower pace than the inner city offers. If you tick one of those boxes, the Deep South is for you.

Although locals may argue about the exact boundaries, most would agree that Cape Town’s southern coastal suburbs begin around Muizenberg and follow the False Bay coastline through St James and Fish Hoek towards Simon’s Town. If we had to pick one suburb to stay in along this stretch of seafront, it would have to be Kalk Bay, voted one of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods by Time Out in 2026! It’s got the perfect mix of restaurants, shopping and local vibes to make it a must for any stay in the Mother City. Across the Peninsula, Noordhoek, Kommetjie and Scarborough offer an even quieter Atlantic alternative.

Down this way, Cape Town feels less like a city break and more like a seaside holiday, with tidal pools, beaches and coastal suburbs within easy reach. The southern train line is affordable and fairly efficient, but to explore much further afield you’ll need your own car, though.

Where to eat & drink

There is no shortage of great places to eat in the Deep South. Muizenberg is good for post-surf coffee and casual breakfasts. Kalk Bay combines bakeries, cafés and more creative harbourside restaurants with old-school fish-and-chips. Simonstown offers sushi, Asian and seafood options, while Noordhoek and Kommetjie have a good line-up of farm stalls, craft breweries and sea-view restaurants for long lunches.

Don’t miss

Surf – or learn to surf – at Muizenberg, then follow the coast past the colourful bathing huts of St James to Kalk Bay Harbour. Farther south, Simon’s Town is the gateway to the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach, after which the road continues towards the wild landscapes of Cape Point Nature Reserve.

Don’t rush the drive. False Bay is dotted with beaches, tidal pools and viewpoints, while the Peninsula’s Atlantic side offers Noordhoek’s sweeping stretch of sand and the wonderfully remote feel of Kommetjie and Scarborough. Locals rarely rush things in the Deep South, and neither should you.