Where to stay in Cape Town? What are the best areas?
Cape Town in South Africa is fast becoming a top destination for digital nomads around the world. The Mother City offers everything you could need, want, or hope for in a remote worker’s dream location: adventure, great food, white-sandy beaches, mountain views, amazing coffee, an exploding gin scene, intriguing and tragic history, beautiful cafes and coworking spaces, a fantastic nightlife…
The list goes on, yet words will never be able to fully explain why Cape Town is such a perfect spot. You’ll have to go see for yourself, as so many others – including once again WiFi Tribe for four months between September 2019 and March 2020 – are doing.
One of the factors to an amazing experience in this city is finding the right accommodation. Since we’ve held at least six chapters here over the last three years, WiFi Tribe has some handy tips, tricks, and hacks on where to stay in Cape Town as a digital nomad.
The Best Areas to Stay in Cape Town For Remote Professionals
Cape Town is a large, sprawling city set between various mountainous ranges and coastlines, with many suburbs that each have their own vibe and charm. Here are the areas and suburbs we recommend for remote workers to stay in Cape Town.
On a Budget – Woodstock
One of the oldest suburbs of Cape Town, Woodstock has also developed into one of the hippest. What was once a bustling seaside resort first turned into a semi-industrial area and has now evolved into a bustling hub of creativity and bougie coffee shops.
At first glance, its industrial vibe may put you off but trust us: this awesome neighborhood is favored by locals for good reason. It’s a place to see and be seen, showing a fun blend of diversity and culture, food, fashion, arts, and design.
Situated just outside the Central Business District (CBD), Woodstock is one of the cheapest areas for visitors to stay in Cape Town while remaining within easy reach of the rest of the city. Check the hostels, hotels, and AirbnBs here if you’re on a mission not to kill your bank account.
Woodstock is easy to explore on foot, and you really should! Every side road and backstreet tells a story. On Saturdays, check out the Neighbourgood’s Market, a trendy market on the premises of an old mill, offering artisan products and gourmet foods.
Or join a street art tour through Woodstock to learn all about how street art and graffiti have played a major part in transforming the suburb into a safe and vibrant community, adding to its lively character and creativity.
Sightseeing and Nightlife – Central Business District (CBD)
The CBD in the Cape Town city center is surrounded by Table Bay and the mountains of Signal Hill, Lion’s Head, Table Mountain, and Devil’s Peak. Due to it being surrounded by this large, natural amphitheater-shaped area, the CBD is also known as the “City Bowl.”
The heart of the Mother City provides some of the most interesting and historically significant neighborhoods, including instagramable Bo-Kaap with its colorful houses. You can get lost in this central location for hours of easy meandering, take free walking tours on the history of apartheid and historical sights, enjoy amazing dishes at beautiful eateries, nibble on street food at various markets, and dance the night away at one of the many night clubs and numerous rooftop bars.
Do keep a weather eye on your valuables in this area, especially at night in the clubs on the busiest streets like Long Street and Kloof Street. Pickpocketing is a daily occurrence that can be avoided if you’re smart about keeping your possessions close and hidden.
Trendy And Artsy – De Waterkant
This sub-district of Green Point (to which we’ll get next) right next to the V&A Waterfront is one of the trendiest areas in Cape Town. Known as the “Pink District” due to its large number of gay-friendly bars and restaurants, De Waterkant is popular for its open-mindedness. This stylish little pocket of historic buildings, fashionable shops, art galleries and restaurants that will make foodies weep was built in the 19th century with a mixture of Cape Dutch and Georgian architectural design.
Café Manhattan, an institution in the area serves massive burgers in a Wild-Westy environment. Go shopping at the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village or enjoy the steam rooms, video lounges, bar, and sun deck with gorgeous city views at The HotHouse Steam and Leisure, an upmarket steam bath and adult store. Of course, there’s a ton more to do all within walking distance in this vibrant little area.
And if you’re looking for great cafes to work from, check out Origin Coffee Roasting, The Loading Bay, or the Red! art gallery for some prime remote work cafes.
Parks and Rec – Green Point
Known as “the Soho of Cape Town,” Green Point is an upscale suburb set at the northern-most tip of the city. It offers a bustling nightlife, great restaurants, and amazing coffee shops – but it’s also a great starting point for many ocean-based adventures. Get a sailor’s perspective of the city from out at sea in a kayak, where you might even spot seals or dolphins, with views of Table Mountain rising in the background.
Central to Green Point is the park of the same name. In its center stands the Cape Town Stadium, built for the Soccer World Championships held in South Africa in 2010, where you can watch soccer and rugby games throughout the year. The park is surrounded by Mouille Point in the north, where the long Sea Point Promenade winds its way along the Atlantic coast and past the Green Point Lighthouse, offering gorgeous ocean views in all directions.
Green Point is also situated right next to the V&A Waterfront, from where you can catch ferries out to Robben Island, where you can take a tour of the facilities in which Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years.
Character And Promenades – Sea Point
Just a short walk further down the Sea Point Promenade brings you to its name-sake part of town, Sea Point. Stretched long between the coast of both sandy beaches and rocky cliffs to the West, and the ridge of Signal Hill all the way to Lion’s Head in the East, Sea Point is one of the city’s most affluent and popular neighborhoods.
Sea Point features natural tidal swimming pools, kids’ playgrounds, and gorgeous sunset views on and from Milton Beach, as well as abundant sushi bars, fast-food eateries, and pizzerias. African handicrafts, craft coffee, and live music are all set in one place at the colorful Mojo Market, where you can enjoy a wide variety of street food while getting some work done “in the rafters.”
This laid-back yet vibrant part of town is where WiFi Tribe sets up its lairs to explore this beautiful city and the surrounding areas like Muizenburg, Stellenbosch, the Winelands, and Cape Point from.
Upscale And Family Friendly – Clifton And Camps Bay
Continuing south along the coast and crossing Bantry Bay, you’ll end up in Clifton and Camps Bay, the most expensive parts of Cape Town. While the villas and mansions of the Clifton rise sharply above four family-friendly beaches, offering amazing sea views to mostly private homes, Camps Bay Beach provides a promenade of beachfront restaurants and bars at the foot of the Twelve Apostles.
Stay here for the most gorgeous beaches fairly close to the city center, if you can afford to. But beware! The Atlantic Ocean is icy year-round this far south of the African continent.
Pricing For Accommodation
No matter your budget, you’re sure to find the right accommodation for your South African adventure in the Mother City. Whether you prefer luxury- or boutique hotels, self-catering guest houses, or hostels, Cape Town’s got you covered.
- Hostels range from 10 to about 32 USD/night for dorm beds and 40 to 110 USD/night for privates.
- Airbnb apartments cost between 35 and 100 USD/night, depending on the location.
- 3-star hotels range from 60 to 160 USD/night for double rooms, whereas 4-star hotels are priced at between 90 and 200 USD/night for a double room.
- 3- and 4-star bed & breakfasts will set you back between 55 and 150 USD/night.
3 Best Hostels in Cape Town For Digital Nomads
Cape Town offers a wide variety of hostels, from super cheap to hip and bougie. Let’s have a look at which ones are great for digital nomads to stay at.
Never@Home Cape Town
Set in an easy-access location on the main road of Green Point, very close to the V&A Waterfront, Never@Home offers the perfect mix of fun, party, and chill time, while upholding high standards of cleanliness and security. The hostel features
- private lockers,
- access by key card,
- swimming pool,
- BBQ,
- free walking tours,
- kitchen,
- book exchange, and
- free WiFi.
You can get work done in a comfy common area with various seating options.
The hostel offers 4- to 16-bed mixed dorms starting at 15 USD/night, as well as private twin rooms from about 73 USD/night. Female-only dorms start at circa 19 USD/night.
91 Loop Boutique Hostel
Smack-dab in the middle of Cape Town’s CBD, 91 Loop is a sociable and comfortable hostel that makes a great base for city-wide adventures, especially for solo travelers. It’s modern and clean, with funky artwork covering the courtyard walls. It features
- laundry facilities,
- bike parking,
- inclusive breakfasts,
- free walking tours,
- lockers, and
- individual power outlets and reading lights on the beds.
The staff regularly arranges fun activities like quizzes, live music, and drinking games.
Prices range from 15 USD/night for 4- to 8-bed en-suite dorms, over king or twin rooms starting at around 60 USD/night, to private rooms from 70 USD/night and up.
This hostel also offers fun pod rooms starting at 19 USD/night.
Long Street Backpackers
If you’re a party beast as well as a digital nomad, then Long Street Backpackers is the hostel for you. Long Street is Cape Town’s party central, bursting with clubs, bars, and restaurants. The hostel offers
- kitchen,
- outdoor areas,
- pool table,
- chill-out room,
- gamer room,
- airport shuttle service,
- BBQ,
- free WiFi, and
- free stew on Sundays.
The 4- to 10-bed mixed dormitories start at 10 USD/night, but you can also stay in private budget rooms from 31 USD/night.
Not the easiest place to get work done in all the hubbub, but a nice, centrally-located hostel nonetheless.
3 Best Hotels in Cape Town for Digital Nomads
You’ve probably guessed that Cape Town also offers a variety of hotels in all shapes and sizes and price ranges. So here we’ll try to catch the three best for digital nomad across that variety, from budget to luxury hotels.
Happy Rhino Hotel
Starting at around 40 USD/night, this vibey budget hotel may not have the highest ratings but beats staying in a hostel if that’s not your thing while remaining affordable. The rooms are small but all come with en-suite showers and some of them even feature views of Table Mountain.
The Happy Rhino also offers
- an airport shuttle service,
- private parking,
- on-site restaurant,
- kitchen,
- breakfast,
- free WiFi, and
- a homey common area.
Located on central Loop Street, this cheap hotel definitely gives you lots of bang for your buck.
Braeside B&B
Braeside B&B is located strategically in the heart of Green Point village and consists of two Victorian houses built in 1870 and 1903. The two beautiful heritage homes feature secluded courtyards, braai facilities, elegantly decorated rooms with original Oregon-pine floors, and large communal living rooms with a fireplace.
Apart from this, the Bed and Breakfast provides
- a daily breakfast buffet,
- BBQ-facilities,
- free parking,
- free WiFi,
- private bathrooms,
- safety deposit boxes,
- TVs, and
- extra long beds.
Room prices start at 74 USD/night. Get some work done with a glass of wine under the flowering bougainvilleas in the quiet courtyards.
Cape Grace Hotel & Spa
Location, location, location – that’s what they say is key, right? Well, Cape Grace Hotel & Spa has location in spades. Located on a private quay on the V&A Waterfront and with water on three sides, this 5-star boutique hotel has the feel of a cruise ship. All rooms have views of the yacht marina or the harbor, and facilities also include a spa with panoramic views of Table Mountain and the marina.
Other than that, the hotel features
- a fitness center,
- indoor and outdoor swimming pools,
- airport shuttle,
- breakfast,
- flat-screen TVs,
- game consoles,
- private bar with deli snacks,
- dressing rooms,
- en-suite marble bathrooms.
The cheapest room is the Luxury Double Room, which starts at approximately 555 USD/night.
3 Reasons to Stay in Cape Town with WiFi Tribe
So now we’ve shown you where to stay and given a few accommodation options – but why stay anywhere in Cape Town all by your lonesome when you could join our awesome Cape Town chapters from September to November 2019 or January to March 2020?
Here are three reasons why you should definitely sign up for Cape Town with WiFi Tribe:
- Gorgeous accommodation in a great location.
- An awesome digital nomad community – you’ll make friends for life!
- Approximately 20 focused work buddies to go on grand weekend adventures with.
Check out our Cape Town chapters and apply to sign up here. You know you want to!
