Cape Town · Neighborhood guide
Where to Stay in Cape Town
I’d choose a base for the Cape Town I most want to wake up in. A harbour morning and an Atlantic sunset are both tempting. Your hotel doesn’t need to do both.
Rob’s quick picks
- First visits, harbour walks and Robben Island departuresV&A Waterfront
- Promenade walks, dinner and a neighbourhood baseSea Point
- City sights, dining and a base beneath the mountainGardens and the City Bowl
Four areas compared
V&A Waterfront
Best forFirst visits, harbour walks and Robben Island departures
Why I’d stay hereI’d choose the Waterfront if the harbour and the Robben Island ferry are high on your list.
Worth knowingCompare the total room price and check the walk to the Nelson Mandela Gateway.
Sea Point
Best forPromenade walks, dinner and a neighbourhood base
Why I’d stay hereLook here for time by the Atlantic and plenty of places to eat close to your room.
Worth knowingCheck the exact block and how you’ll get to the Waterfront and City Bowl.
Gardens and the City Bowl
Best forCity sights, dining and a base beneath the mountain
Why I’d stay hereChoose Gardens or the City Bowl if you want to spend more of the trip around the centre and its museums.
Worth knowingStreet gradients and evening noise vary. Check the address and plan the ride back after dark.
Camps Bay
Best forBeach time, sunsets and a slower stay
Why I’d stay hereI’d stay here if the Atlantic and those Twelve Apostles views were the reason for the trip.
Worth knowingAllow travel time for city sights and compare seafront rooms with quieter side streets.
Before you book
Compare the actual walk from the hotel to dinner, then look at how you’ll get to the places you want to see. If you’re planning a peninsula day, check whether parking or a driver is part of the budget.
Read the Cape Town city article
For a wider trip, explore the South Africa destination guide.