Cape Town, the beautiful legislative capital of South Africa, also holds the distinction of being one of its oldest settlements, founded in 1652. In the centuries that have passed since, the city has blossomed as a multicultural and bustling hub. Cape Town today is beautiful, breathtaking and pulsating with energy.
If you are planning to explore this wonderful city, one of the first things to decide is which area of the city is the right fit for your stay. Lucky for you, we have the insight to help you select the area to stay in the city.
The V&A Waterfront, though technically not a neighborhood, is a great place to stay in Cape Town because of its convenient location. You will find upmarket restaurants, hotels and bars located all over. As you can guess, accommodation at the Waterfront is not cheap, but it is worth the price.
It is also the home to some of the renowned tourist attractions, such as the Two Oceans Aquarium, the Cape Wheel, the Iziko Maritime Centre and the Chavonnes Battery Museum. For shopping enthusiasts, there is the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre with over 450 international and South African stores.
If a central location and loads of pedestrian accessibility are what you crave, the City Center is the perfect place for you to stay in Cape Town. We recommend hotels near Kloof Street because it will be easy for you to access trendy shops, great restaurants, historical buildings and Table Mountain. This flat-topped mountain is a prominent landmark overlooking Cape Town. You can hike to the top or use the cableway to enjoy the city’s unforgettable views.
But, that’s not all that the City Center has to offer. Staying here also gives you easy access to the Company Gardens, Greenmarket Square and the Planetarium.
Clifton and Camps Bay are sister neighborhoods in Cape Town known for flashy mansions and glitzy houses overlooking the Atlantic Ocean’s clear, blue waters. There are a range of accommodations available though, from the ultra-chic and luxury to more moderately priced boutique hotels. The wonderful view of the oceanfront alone makes staying in Clifton and Camps Bay worth it.
Keep in mind that the beaches here are usually busy year-round. Though the water temperature always remains a bit on the cooler side, the expansive beaches are the preferred spots for people-watching, volleyball and sunbathing.
Green Point has rightfully earned the title of being the Soho of Cape Town, with its amazing cafes, great restaurants and pulsating nightlife. The Cape Town Stadium is situated in Green Point, so if your post-pandemic plans in Cape Town include a concert or sporting event, we recommend considering this area. Green Point is also close to the magnificent beaches of the famous Atlantic Seaboard and home to Green Point Urban Park, biodiversity garden, Labia Theatre and South Point Promenade.
The atmosphere is safe and welcoming, and you can take a walk around the neighborhood to enjoy its sights and sounds. A multitude of bars and lounges in the area have led to its vibrant nightlife.
You can stay at the affordable villas and the reasonably-priced guest houses that line the beachfront Main Road or opt for a luxury hotel in a premier location.
De Waterkant has a bohemian and fashionable vibe that attracts many tourists year-round. Like Green Point, De Waterkant is also a welcoming, gay-friendly area. You can take a walk or rent a cycle to reach the V&A Waterfront and the City Center.
This is another area of Cape Town that is bustling with restaurants and bars, and most of them are located near the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village. If boutiques and fine coffee are the things that entice you, then De Waterkant will not disappoint you with its offerings.
An exciting vacation awaits you in this cosmopolitan and lively African city, the perfect add-on to a South African safari experience. Contact a Journey Specialist to discuss which Cape Town area is the right fit for you and to receive a customized itinerary suited to your interests.
Written for adventuresinafrica.com by Rebecca Siggers
Photos courtesy of AAC client Karen Watson, Cape Grace Hotel, Cloud 9 Hotel, Cape View Clifton, Sightseeing South Africa and The Charles Cafe & Rooms