• Cape Town City Centre

    The centre isn’t huge, so most places are a quick stagger up or down the road. If you want to be near pubs, clubs and happenings, this is your spot. There's a Google Map to Cape Town here.
  • City Bowl

    Nestled 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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Cape Town

The Mother City is a backpackers haven and is beautiful, sexy, endlessly fascinating.

The Mother of all Cities

Click here for more on Cape Town. 

Cape Town has so many backpacking hostels which are in different suburbs, we've split them into areas at the bottom of the page (yeah, we know it says towns, but it means suburbs, please forgive the webmaster).

Cape Town's backpackers are all so different there is something for everybody.

All Cape Town hostels offer more than you can bite off in activities and backpacking trips into South Africa. 

 

Sight seeing around Cape Town
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Robben Island Kirstenbosch A day trip out to Cape Point Nature Reserve is also absolutely worthwhile. En route to this magnificent reserve, stop off to see the penguins at Boulders Beach and dip into the refreshing ocean. Chapman's Peak Drive is one of the marvels of any Cape Point trip. The winelands lie off to the east of the city, where some of the finest in the world are made,
The table is set....
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Table Mountain which dominates the skyline at all times, the Mother City is Southern Africa’s most beautiful, and most visited, city. A blend of first and third worlds where the elegance of rich suburbs lies next to the sprawl of the townships, she’s a bit like good coffee. Gets into your blood stream. Picks you up. Makes you want more. Cape Town is the perfect place to start your trip around South Africa and it is well worth spending a few days here.
Head for the hills
A walk up (or sunset from) Table Mountain, Devil's Peak, Signal Hill or Lion's Head is essential. Ok, if you really have to you can take the cable car up and down Table Mountain. Check with locals that it’s safe (weather wise) before setting off.

Places to Stay

  • Abreak Away

    Want to surf, drum, kayak, have fun? It's all here.
  • Afrique du Sud Backpackers

    Located in the bustling heart of Sea Point with easy access to city amenities, public transport and (yippee) the Sea Point swimming pools by the sea.
  • Amberley Travellers Lodge

    Explore the mountains, the museums, second-hand shops, art galleries and rocky shores, then bliss out in the waves or on the beach.
  • Ashanti Lodge

    Ashanti is one of Cape Town's biggest hostels. They are busy, organised and knowledgeable and have a great building in a good location.
  • Bayside Beach House

    Backed by a nature reserve and not far from the lagoon and sea, this is a great spot for some time out.
  • Big Blue

    A big hostel with a swimming pool and loads of space.
  • Carnival Court

    A grand old Victorian building in the thick of the action, within waltzing distance of almost everything a city slicker could need.
  • Fawlty Towers

    Self-contained self-catering flats for independent travellers.
  • Green Elephant

    Obs kicks ass, thanks to the students and the Observatarians. So for a fun, alternative (and eco friendly) city experience pull in…
  • House on the Hill

    House on the Hill offers luxurious accommodation at backpacker rates.
  • Inn Long Street

    A nifty little spot with wraparound views of buzzing Long Street and an eyeful of the mother of all mountains.
  • Milton Lodge

    A fantastic place to stay in the centre of Sea Point.
  • SaltyCrax Backpackers

    Check out the beach, the bars, the jacuzzi and the menagerie. Hmm. And surf, windsurf and go mad…
  • Sunflower Stop

    On the main drag close to Sea Point with easy access to beaches and the city centre.
  • The Backpack

    Cape Town's first backpacking hostel is still going strong and offers excellent facilities.

What to do

  • Daytrippers

    Explore the peninsula, winelands or just go adventuring…
  • Scuba Shack

    Discover the glorious underwater world of the two oceans.
  • Two Oceans Aquarium

    An awesome way to spend your day. Lose yourself in the oceans and meet the denizens of the deep.

Transport

  • Carhire-WP

    Cheap car hire in South Africa and rentals to under 21's.

Tourist Offices