Top 10 Backpacking Hostels in Cape Town
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Top 10 Backpacking Hostels in Cape Town

Cape Town is a prime tourist destination in South Africa. Thousands of travelers visit every day to explore the wonders of the Mother City. Among them are backpackers wanting to make the most out of their stay. And because we aim to help make your visit an unforgettable one, we made a list of the Top 10 Backpacking Hostels in Cape Town.

#1 Never @ Home

Top 10 Backpacking Hostels in Cape Town

Photo by afristay.com

Never@home is one of the biggest, hippest and most modern hostels in Cape Town. A pioneer of next generation hostel accommodation, Never@Home is located on the bustling Green Point strip. This popular backpacking hostel is surrounded by some of Cape Town’s best restaurants and coffee shops. It is within walking distance from Cape Town’s CBD and the famous V&A Waterfront. A Spar supermarket is right next door and across the road is the FIFA Cape Town Stadium. There is also a MyCity bus station located close by.

Aside from its superior location, Never@Home also offers a variety of room types priced at different levels. There is free WiFi, a communal kitchen, and a swimming pool. It has a modern yet relaxed environment and excellent security.

Contact:

Tel: +27 21 434 9282

Email: [email protected]

Visit neverathomeworld.com for more information.

#2 The Backpack

Top 10 Backpacking Hostels in Cape Town

The Backpack is an award-winning, Fair Trade accredited hostel located right on the edge of the city centre. It’s within walking distance to the restaurants, bars, cafés and shops of Kloof and Long Streets. This backpacking hostel is highly popular for its prime location. It comprises of three turn-of-the-century houses ingeniously linked together. It is a stylish hostel known for its eclectic charm, boasting aesthetically South African designs inspired by the Mother City’s fusion of cultures, colors, authentic fabrics, inspirational and colourful street art.

The Backpack is owned and managed by Lee Harris and Toni Shina. They focus on creating a meaningful and relaxed travel experience for backpackers. It features a contemporary design with a relaxed, communal vibe. The chic facilities include a swimming pool with stunning views of Table Mountain; lockers and safes to store your valuables; and a kitchen if you feel like cooking. Its ideal location with plenty of restaurants and bars within easy strolling distance makes The Backpack one of the best backpacking hostels in Cape Town.

Contact:

Tel: +27 (0) 21 423 4530

Cell: +27 (0)63 792 3611

Whatsapp: +27 (0)63 792 3611

Email: [email protected]

Visit backpackers.co.za for more information.

#3 Atlantic Point Backpackers

Top 10 Backpacking Hostels in Cape Town

The Atlantic Point Backpackers located in Green Point, is one of the best backpacking hostels in Cape Town. Atlantic Point focuses on giving all their guests a great experience by offering the most spacious budget accommodation options in Cape Town, ranging from dormitory rooms to private double rooms. Each room comes equipped with a reading light, heater, ceiling fan, and private lockers. They have all the facilities you would expect from a top quality backpacker. There is a laid-back lounging space with a 40″ flat screen TV where you can relax and watch a movie.

There is also a lively bar and outdoor braai area for those looking to meet and mingle with other backpackers. Their communal kitchen allows you to prepare your own meals. The Atlantic Point Backpackers offers excellent value for money by setting the travelling trends and upholding a high standard of service and quality.

Contact:

Tel: +27 21 433-1663

Email: [email protected]

Visit atlanticpoint.travel for more information.

#4 Sunflower Stop Backpackers Hostel

Top 10 Backpacking Hostels in Cape Town

Nestled beneath the picturesque Signal Hill is the Sunflower Stop Backpackers Hostel which offers relaxing and comfortable accommodation for budget travelers in Cape Town.  The hostel’s prime location will give you easy access to the best that Cape Town has to offer. The sun-soaked beaches, the V&A Waterfront, the buzzing nightlife, and the majestic Table Mountain are just a few minutes away from this convenient location. They offer spacious, neat and clean dorms, doubles, twins and quad rooms; a communal kitchen; and a TV room.

All the backpacker dormitories have individual secure lockers so you need not worry about your belongings. They also have a pool, a braai area and a buzzing bar where you can meet and mingle with exciting new friends. You can also check their specialist backpackers’ tour desk for helpful travel tips and the best prices in town. You can book day trips and adventure tours as well.

Contact:

Tel: +27 (0)21 434-6535

WhatsApp: +27 (0)82 3013229

Email: [email protected]

Visit sunflowerstop.co.za for more information.

Related: Top 10 Luxury Hotels In and Around Cape Town

#5 Once In Cape Town

Top 10 Backpacking Hostels in Cape Town

Once in Cape Town is centrally located on the vibrant Kloof Street and within walking distance of a variety of parks, restaurants, bars, fashion boutiques, grocery stores, and the famous Long Street. This hostel is perfect for adventurous and young at heart backpackers. They offer a variety of affordable and clean rooms from their budget “Loud and Proud” rooms, to twin standard rooms, balcony rooms, ladies only 4-bed multi-share, and mixed multi-share dorms.

Their family rooms sleep between two and six persons. All rooms boast an ensuite bathroom, handmade room amenities, and crisp white linen. Their King rooms come with views of the mountain. There is also a courtyard to chill in and a big kitchen for self-catering. A light breakfast is served every morning in the hip and buzzing Yours Truly café at the front of the building.

Contact:

Tel: +27 (0) 87 057 2638

Email: [email protected]

Visit once.travel for more information.

#6 The B.I.G Backpackers

Top 10 Backpacking Hostels in Cape Town

The Backpackers in Green Point or “B.I.G” for short is situated in the residential suburb of Green Point. It’s a wonderful hybrid backpacker and B&B which offers fun, vibrant, affordable options that will introduce you to the best the city has to offer. It is ideally located within walking distance from the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town Stadium, transport systems, gym facilities, restaurants and coffee shops. Most of the city’s greatest attractions are within close proximity.

B.I.G. Backpackers sets itself apart from most backpacker hostels by offering only en-suite choices. They have 12 en-suite private double/triple/family rooms, six en-suite dorms and the most engaging hosts you could hope for. Their dedicated and friendly staff are committed to making sure everything runs smoothly during your stay.

Contact:

Tel: +27 (0)21 434 0688

Email: [email protected]

Visit bigbackpackers.com for more information.

#7 Ashanti Lodge Gardens Backpackers

Top 10 Backpacking Hostels in Cape Town

Ashanti Lodge Backpackers Gardens is your gateway to Cape Town. Set in a converted Victorian house in the Gardens suburb right at the foot of Table Mountain, this laid-back hostel is well known for its superb facilities, outstanding service, and excellent security. They cater for all accommodation needs — from camping and backpacker dormitories to single, double and twin rooms with shared bathroom facilities. They offer simple mixed and female-only dorms which sleep 6 to 8 guests and feature bunk beds, lockers, and free Wi-Fi. Private rooms, some with ensuite facilities, are also available.

Their sparkling pool, landscaped garden, and spacious balconies allow you to chill and meet other travelers. You can also join the party in their legendary Kumasi Café/Bar with its cool cocktails, delicious meals and magnificent mountain views. Ashanti also serves a free simple backpacker breakfast in their well-equipped communal kitchen every morning. And because Ashanti is within walking distance from the city centre, there are a variety of cafés and restaurants nearby Staying in this stylish backpacker hostel is a fun, friendly, and effortless way to discover the Mother City!

Contact:

Tel: +27 (0) 21 423 8721

WhatsApp: +27 (0) 72 953 7363

Email: [email protected]

Visit ashanti.co.za  for more information.

Related: Best Car Rental Companies in Cape Town

#8 91 Loop Boutique Hostel

Top 10 Backpacking Hostels in Cape Town

Photo by booking.com

Backpackers-style accommodation is being taken to new heights at this unique boutique hostel, located right in the heart of the city. 91 Loop is nestled between hipster Bree Street with its thriving cafés and restaurants, and Cape Town’s backpacker party destination, Long Street. This boutique hostel guarantees that you will be sleeping on one of the best beds Cape Town has to offer at very affordable rates. 91 Loop offers two types of rooms: Ensuite and Pod. The former has a few variations, with different numbers of beds, while their pod experience can best be described as a room within a room.

The various rooms are all named after different world cities such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Auckland. The rooms boast a minimalistic look and feel but with special features that include high-quality mattresses, reading lights, space for charging, complimentary Wi-Fi and hi-tech lockers for storing valuables. And because your safety and the safety of your valuables are of paramount importance, all rooms and your personal locker are RFID key-card controlled and the entire building conforms to the highest British standards when it comes to fire safety. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks are also available downstairs at the on-site bar, The Honey Badger.

Contact:

Tel: +27 (0)21 286 1469

Visit 91loop.co.za for more information.

#9 Hout Bay Backpackers

Top 10 Backpacking Hostels in Cape Town

Photo by afristay.com

This quiet and comfortable backpacker hostel is situated in the beautiful fishing village of Hout Bay. Hout Bay Backpackers is just 20 minutes from the Cape Town city centre and is easily accessible by public transport. It is the perfect place for budget travelers wanting to explore Hout Bay as it is within walking distance to the beach and shopping hub, where a variety of activities are offered such as surfing, fishing, diving, sailing, hiking trails, and township tours. There are also loads of live entertainment as well as top restaurants offering sumptuous cuisine and award-winning wines.

Hout Bay Backpackers is a three-story converted home furnished to accommodate different types of groups, from the family unit to the couples’ suites, to rooms for traveling friends. Their dormitories all have ensuite bathrooms, sleeping a maximum of six people per dorm. All rooms lead onto private wooden decks with uninterrupted views of Hout Bay Beach, harbour and the majestic Chapman’s Peak drive. The long balcony that stretches across the top floor leads into the communal lounge with DStv and an indoor braai/fireplace at its centre.

But what sets this hostel apart from other backpacker hostels in Cape Town, is that they offer their visitors the opportunity to get involved in volunteer projects. You don’t only get to travel and explore Cape Town, you also get to give back to the community.

Contact:

Tel: + 27 (0) 21 790 0427

Email : [email protected]

Visit houtbaybackpackers.co.za for more information.

#10 Stoked Backpackers

Top 10 Backpacking Hostels in Cape Town

Stoked Backpackers is located literally just a stone’s throw from the Surfers’ Corner in Muizenberg. This hostel’s ideal location is perfect to explore Muizenberg and its surrounds. Experience surfing, kitesurfing and stand-up paddling (SUPing) on one of the best beaches of Cape Town. There are also boat tours that will take you to whale watching, freediving and scuba diving. Or if you are brave, you can cage dive with the great white sharks.

Stoked Backpackers is a three-story building offering a variety of shared dorm accommodation options, as well as some private family rooms, doubles, and twin rooms. Their communal lounge and deck have unbeatable views of the ocean. The kitchen is fitted with everything necessary for you to whip up a culinary masterpiece. If you want to get a great cup of coffee and tasty bites, Stoked Backpackers has an awesome café where you can hang out with other travelers and locals.

Contact:

Tel: +27 (0)21 709 0841

Email: [email protected]

Visit stokedbackpackers.com for more information

Bonus:

Green Elephant Backpackers

Top 10 Backpacking Hostels in Cape Town

Green Elephant Backpackers is in Cape Town’s lively student area – Observatory. Established in June 1994, this backpacking hostel offers budget accommodation to backpackers, medical interns, volunteers, students and visitors looking to meet fellow travelers with its three fully furnished houses. The main house has dorm rooms, wireless internet, a festive bar, a BBQ area, and a swimming pool.

The other two houses have private rooms and are quieter and ideal for long-stay guests. All double rooms have 4-poster beds in a relaxing and comfortable space. Linen and towels are provided. They also feature a solar heated swimming pool which complements the hot Jacuzzi for great relaxing parties. This friendly backpacking hostel also has excellent travel information and a booking office to make your stay in Cape Town worth your while.

Contact:

Tel: +27 (0) 21 448 6359

Visit greenelephant.co.za for more information.

Experience the vibrant city atmosphere, dive into the interesting culture and make new friends along the way! Happy backpacking!