The 5 best neighbourhoods to Airbnb when visiting Cape Town
Are you planning to visit Cape Town, but you’re not sure where to stay? Why not rent an Airbnb in one of Cape Town’s many beautiful and vibrant neighbourhoods?
Cape Town is known as one of the most diverse cities in the world, and its neighbourhoods are no exception. The neighbourhood you choose to stay in when visiting Cape Town is highly dependent on your travel requirements, travel style, and what you’re looking to experience.
Here are the 5 best neighbourhoods to Airbnb when visiting Cape Town.
#1 City Bowl
If you’re eager to be right in the action of it all, the City Bowl, located in the heart of Cape Town, is exactly where you want to be. Nestled on the slopes of Table Mountain, the City Bowl is not only home to the lively CBD, but some of the best neighbourhoods to Airbnb when visiting Cape Town. Some of the City Bowl’s top neighbourhoods include the sought-after V&A Waterfront, Tamboerskloof, Gardens, De Waterkant, Woodstock, Oranjezicht, and Bo-Kaap.
The diversity of these neighbourhoods ensures there’s something to suite every travel style and budget – from cool backpacker Airbnb’s through to supreme lavish luxury. Whether you’re a keen explorer, avid adventurer, on-the-go hustler, or merely looking to sightsee your way through Cape Town, the City Bowl is the ideal place to be.
Besides your prime location, there are several benefits of staying in an Airbnb in the City Bowl. You are in close proximity to most of Cape Town’s must-visit attractions, beaches, experiences, and landmarks, along with a thriving nightlife and restaurant scene.
Top things to do + Nearby attractions:
- The Company Gardens
- V&A Waterfront
- Silo District & the Zeitz MOCAA Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
- Two Ocean’s Aquarium
- Markets: V&A Food Market; Watershed at the V&A; Old Biscuit Mill; Oranjezicht City Farm Market
- The Cape Town International Convention Centre
- Cape Town City Hall
- Cape Town Holocaust Centre
- Castle of Good Hope
- Church Square
- District Six Museum
- Green Market Square
- Heritage Square
- Noon Day Gun
- Signal Hill
- Slave Lodge / Slave Church Museum
- South African Museum
- Bo-Kaap & The Bo-Kaap Museum
- St Georges Cathedral
- Table Mountain
- Lion’s Head
- Long Street, Kloof Street, Bree Street
#2 Camps Bay
Distance from Cape Town: +/- 7km
Located along the Atlantic Seaboard, just beyond the four beaches of Clifton, Camps Bay is compared to the likes of St Tropez and South Beach. Famous for its ever-popular palm-fringed beachfront where tourists, locals, and celebrities alike rub shoulders, vibrant energy, Atlantic Ocean and Lion’s Head view and Twelve Apostles mountain range towering above it, Camps Bay is one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Cape Town. It is also regarded as one of Cape Town’s safest neighbourhoods.
Beyond its prime beachfront location, Camps Bay is home to the famous Camps Bay sunset strip. Lined with trendy cafés, buzzing beach bars, lively hotspots, and some of the most renowned restaurants in the city, it is the place to be both day and night. With so much to offer, it’s no surprise that Camps Bay is regarded as one of the best neighbourhoods to Airbnb when visiting Cape Town.
Camps Bay boasts a variety of accommodation and Airbnb options. From luxury boutique hotels, charming guesthouses, and beachfront villas to low and high-rise apartments, and family-friendly holiday homes, there’s something to suite every travel style.
Other top Atlantic Seaboard neighbourhoods to Airbnb when visiting Cape Town:
- Clifton Beach
- Bantry Bay
- Fresnaye
- Bakoven
- Llandudno
Top things to do + Nearby attractions:
- Camps Bay Beach
- Clifton 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Beach
- Bakoven Beach
- Bantry Bay
- Glen Beach
- Beta Beach
- Lion’s Head
- The Pipe Track hiking trail
- Signal Hill
- Kloof Corner Hike
- Table Mountain & Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
- Theatre on the Bay
- Camps Bay sunset strip & all of its trendy bars, cafés, eateries, restaurants & hotspots
- Camps Bay Tidal Pool
- The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa
- Located only 7km from the City Bowl it is in close proximity to all of Cape Town’s top attractions and landmarks.
#3 Kalk Bay
Distance from Cape Town: +/- 30km
Kalk Bay is a quirky and charming seaside neighbourhood located along the False Bay coastline. One of the great things about Cape Town is that it is blessed with manywonderful getaways that are still in close proximity to the city, but feels worlds away from the hustle and hype of big city life – one of which is Kalk Bay.
One part quaint and sleepy ocean-front fishing village with a bustling working harbour full of colourful trawlers, tons of marine life and some of the most delicious seafood and fish and chips spots; other part trendy seaside town lined with buzzing cafes, charming antique shops, unique boutiques, and crafty art stores, Kalk Bay offers visitors the best of both worlds. To further add to Kalk Bay’s top Cape Town neighbourhood status, it was named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world by Forbes.
Filled with tons of hidden gems, secret spots, and cool quirks you won’t quite find anywhere else, Kalk Bay boasts an endless variety of things to see, do and experience. It is also one of Cape Town’s favourite surfing spots among locals and travelers alike.
Top things to do + Nearby attractions:
- Visit Boulders Beach & its thriving African Penguin Colony & Penguin Viewing Site
- Eat fish & chips at Kalky’s
- Go hiking & cave exploring – There are several hiking trails and caves worth exploring in and around the mountains of Kalk Bay, ranging from beginner to more advanced. The infamous Boomslang Cave is one of the most popular hiking trails and caves to explore in Kalk Bay. If you’re an avid hiker and adventurer the Amphitheatre hike where you hike from Kalk Bay to the Amphitheatre should definitely be on your Cape Town hiking bucket list.
- Kalk Bay Harbour.
- Dalebrook Tidal Pool nestled between St James and Kalk Bay.
- Visit Simonstown and explore everything it has to offer.
- Take a trip to Cape Point.
- Go surfing.
Have a look at our ‘Top things to do in Kalk Bay‘ blog for more great ideas.
#4 Green Point & Sea Point
Distance of Green Point from Cape Town: +/- 4km
Distance of Sea Point from Cape Town: +/- 6km
Green Point and Sea Point are two of the top neighbourhoods to Airbnb when visiting Cape Town. These two neighbouring suburbs are close enough to all the action of the CBD and V&A Waterfront, but boasts a more laid-back beachside feel. This means you get all the City Bowl perks and access to several of Cape Town’s top attractions and landmarks, paired with a prime beachfront location.
Green Point is known as the Soho of Cape Town thanks to its lively nightlife scene, cool restaurants, hip hangouts, trendy cafés, and coffee shops. Beyond its prime location, and close proximity to the beach, Green Point has become a mecca for active lifestyle pursuits, adventurers, and nature lovers. The Green Point Urban Park is merely one of Green Point’s natural gems located right in the heart of the urban jungle.
Nestledamongst some of the city’s top hotspots, attractions, bars, and restaurants that line its streets, Sea Point is regarded as one of Cape Town’s most sought-after neighbourhoods. By far one of Sea Point’s top attractions is the famous Sea Point Promenade that stretches along the coastline. The 11-kilometer stretch attracts families and fitness enthusiasts alike, and there are play parks, public swimming pools and bicycle renting facilities scattered along the promenade.
Both Green Point and Sea Point offers visitors a wide selection of Airbnb options including, beachfront properties, boutique hotels, trendy apartments, guest houses, lavish villas, and family-friendly holiday homes.
Top things to do + Nearby attractions:
- Sea Point Promenade
- Rocklands Beach
- Sea Point Pavilion Swimming Pool
- Green Point Urban Park
- Green Point Stadium
- Mouille Point
- V&A Waterfront
- Two Ocean’s Aquarium
- Signal Hill
- Cape Quarter
- Green Point Lighthouse
- MOJO Market
- Atlantic Seaboard Beaches: Camps Bay, Clifton Beach, Glen Beach, Bakoven Beach, Beta Beach, Bantry Bay
- Noon Day Gun
- Robben Island
- Twelve Apostles
- Lion’s Head
- The Company Gardens
- All of Cape Town’s top attractions, experiences and landmarks (as Sea Point and Green Point are in close proximity to the City Bowl)
#5 Newlands
Distance from Cape Town: +/- 13km
Boasting lush green surroundings, Newlands is regarded as one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Cape Town. Located in the sought-after and affluent Southern Suburbs, Newlands is home to several architectural wonders, high-end properties, and an amazing selection of Airbnbs. It is known to attract the who’s who of Cape Town, along with tourists and travelers alike.
Located at the foot of Table Mountain, Newlands is a true nature-lover’s paradise. Home to the stunning Newlands Forest, which forms part if the Table Mountain National Park, as well as the world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens – one of Cape Town’s most magnificent natural wonders – Newlands is one of the best areas for hikers, adventurers, and nature enthusiasts.
Besides its unapologetic natural beauty, Newlands is home to a variety of village-style shopping centres, steakhouses, bars, restaurants and of course the iconic Newlands Stadium.
Top things to do + Nearby attractions:
- Newlands Forest
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
- Kirstenbosch Craft Market & Kirstenbosch Garden Centre
- Newlands Stadium
- Josephine Mill Museum
- Montebello Design Centre
- SAB Newlands Brewery
- Paradise Park
- Liesbeek River Trail
- Littlewort Trail
- Table Mountain National Park
- Table Mountain
- Rhodes Memorial
- Harry Molteno Library
- Newlands Swimming Pool
- Vineyard Hotel Gardens
- Constantia & The Constantia Wine Route (+/- 9km)
- Newlands is only +/- 13km away from the Cape Town City Bowl and all of its attractions.
