• Cape Town City Centre

    Cape Town city centre is filled with backpacking lodges and if you are after the heart beat of Cape Town city centre then look no further and find a Backpackers in Cape Town city centre. Most places are a quick stagger to pubs, clubs and happenings.....
  • Cape Town City Bowl

    Some of Cape Town's best backpackers are nestled here which is just above the Cape Town city centre on the slopes of Table Mountain and overlooking Cape Town and the harbour, these residential suburbs are fairly laid-back, quiet and surrounded by plenty of greenery, lush gardens and parks.
  • Cape Town Bo Kaap

    This area lies just above the city centre and is also known as the Malay quarter. Today it is a colourful kaleidoscope with hints of Cape Town's yesteryear peeping through the architecture. There are no backpackers here.
  • Green Point

    Neighbouring the busy suburb of Sea Point, Green Point has much the same setting and vibe as Sea Point, overlooking the icy Atlantic seaboard and backing up against the mountain. Many backpackers make Green Point their home whilst visiting the Mother City.
  • Sea Point

    Situated on the icy Atlantic seaboard close to the Cape Town beaches Sea Point stretches along the beachfront and up against the mountain. It is densely populated with apartments, peppered with restaurants and bars and has a thriving nightlife.
  • Claremont

    This is one of Cape Town's older suburbs which has a well developed entertainment and shopping infrastructure. There are no backpackers here.
  • Northern Beaches

    Along the Atlantic coastline, heading northwards towards the West Coast and Namibia you'll find miles of beach…There's Google map here.
  • Muizenberg and Kalk Bay

    Muizenberg beach is a surfer's paradise, with the best learner surf waves in the Cape. You'll find the Google map to the Southern Peninsula on this page.
  • Simon's Town

    This is where we've chosen to live, so it's gotta be groovy. It's the last village before Cape Point on the eastern side of the peninsula and very quaint. Not to mention romantic with its panoramic views over the Simon's Town navy and picturesque yacht basin.
  • Scarborough and Kommetjie

    Scarborough is one of the last suburbs you’ll find before Cape Point. It's a very quiet with wonderful stretches of wild beaches, incredible mountain walks and an oddly shaped landmark known as Camel Rock. It takes about 45 minutes to drive into Cape Town from here.
  • Camps Bay

    This is the perfect place from which to watch the sun go down - whether it's from the white sandy beach or one of the many bars or restuarants that line the beach front. There are no backpackers here.
  • Hout Bay

    It's about 15km from town and the entry point to the famous Chapman's Peak Drive. It's a little self-contained village with everything you need - restaurants, shops, auto banks and is close to plenty of good hikes and sunset drink slurping spots. There are no backpackers here.

You are here: | All regions | Cape Town | Observatory

Observatory

The heartbeat of student life in Cape Town, spunky Observatory has an excellent local atmosphere and a lively vibe. It's jam-packed with snappy music and pool venues and has a gob-smacking choice of restaurants.

Observatory is the backpacking Mecca of Cape Town

Observatory is a suburb of Cape Town and has a fine mixture of students from all over the world and local talent which includes people who were born and will probably die here.

It’s friendly, laid back and well supplied with the ingredients for having a good time. In the space of a couple of blocks there are restaurants, pool bars, live music and late night pubs. Something is always happening in Observatory and the streets have watched a couple of generations of late night revellers find their way home after far too much fun. (Is such a thing is possible?)

The Obs Festival happens at the beginning of December and the Holistic Life Style Fair is on the first Sunday of every month.

 

Nocturnal Activities in Observatory.
Get into a serious pool challenge at the Stones, tap your toes to the tunes of live jazz bands at venues in Lower main Road, hit one of the bars (just follow your nose), or try Cool Runnings for a dose of reggae. Observatory or more fondly Ob's is the place for fun, good food and sexy backpacking lodges.

Earn cash in your spare time - blackmail your friends.

Places to Stay

  • Green Elephant

    This is the oldest lodge in Observatory and is the play ground of students....put your party shoes on!

Tourist Offices

  • Cape Town Travel Centre

    When it comes to planning a trip through southern Africa, Cape Town Travel Centre offers a nifty service
 Feeling lucky?
(randomly selected service providers from all regions)

Bushpackers and Campsite
This Hazyview backpackers offers bushwalking, safari-ing, braaing or just hanging out at the pool.
(Hazyview,Mpumalanga)

Lungile Backpackers
Lungile backpackers in PE is perched on top of a hill in an attractive house overlooking the city and the ocean, Lungile is just three minutes walk from Port Elizabeth's main beach.
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)

Surfpackers
Under new management, they are close to Supertubes.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)

Africa Travel Co
20 years of experience in running overland trips from east to west to Southern Africa.
(Cape Town City Centre,)

Swellendam Backpackers Lodge
Nestled at the foot of the magnificent Langeberg Mountains, Swellendam Backpackers is set on a massive property with its own mountain stream.
(Swellendam,Overberg )

Hard Rock Backpackers
Hard Rock Backpackers in Jeffrey's Bay is centrally located to all the major surf spots.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)

Beach Lagoon
This Jeffrey's Bay backpackers is located next to the lagoon and has miles of nature reserve - a truly lovely spot.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)

WildRooster Backpackers
This Backpackers is perched on a hill where hutted green hills roll down to the river mouth and to the sea - an oasis of tranquillity
(Mdumbi,Wild Coast)

Abseil Africa
Abseil in Cape Town - Drop off the edge of the mountain.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)

Discovery Bed and Breakfast
Get over your tent blues here.
(MaunBotswana,Botswana)