Home to Table Mountain, gorgeous beaches and an incredible food scene Cape Town is one of the South Africas largest cities and figuring out where to stay in Cape Town can be pretty tricky!

History buffs, culture vultures and outdoor lovers are all well-catered for in this amazing area while nature fans will be especially spoiled with the range of wildlife viewing possibilities on the menu. 

With hostels and hotels aplenty in Cape Town there is never a shortage of somewhere to stay no matter what your budget or style and if you are looking for that personal touch, a home-away-from-home, an unbeatable location or something especially sublime or decidedly unique Cape Town AirBnBs can convert a merely good trip into an unforgettable one.

So to help get your started we’ve hand-picked selection of some real gems ranging from a beautiful apartment right in town with a price tag which even the most budget conscious will approve of to a castle complete with dungeon and recording studio. Location-wise take your pick from urban central, mountainside, tucked-away oases or absolute beach-front. 

And to get even more for your money click here to save $35 on your first Airbnb stay!

 

Where To Stay In Cape Town – The Best Of Cape Town Airbnbs

Where To Stay In Cape Town – Cape Town AirBnBs for the Budget Conscious

A limited budget doesn’t have to mean compromising on comfort, location or your very own slice of loveliness as the following Airbnb properties clearly demonstrate. 

 

SEASIDE COTTAGE WITH A COUNTRY FEEL

A Light-filled Cottage by the Beach 

Here you can have a little bit of everything – generous helpings of tranquillity and convenience with both nature reserve and beaches on your doorstep. Wake to the sound of the waves and then head to your lovely greenery-shaded private patio for a relaxed morning coffee as you contemplate your Cape Town day to come. 

Able to accommodate 3 guests, this entire charming cottage is all yours despite its almost unbelievably budget-friendly price-tag. Here you can embrace the beach life with the ocean-washed pastel tones, decorative touches and light-infused spaces which give a decided seaside cottage feel to this cute retreat. Both Long Beach and Old Kom are a 2 minute stroll away when you feel the need to answer the call of the ocean. 

If you want to step up the pace head into Cape Town’s centre or keep things more relaxed by checking out the choice of restaurant’s just a stone’s from your property. 

Price per night – $29/£23

Location – Kommetjie

 

CAPE BIRDSONG COTTAGE TRANQUILLITY

Hout Bay Mountainside Oasis

Perched on the slopes of the Table Mountain Range and spectacularly nestled amid lush greenery, it is hard to believe you are just a convenient 20 minutes from the city centre at Cape Birdsong Cottage. 

Sparklingly clean, modern and beautifully furnished and equipped, this lovely 2-bedroom condominium is a true gem and within the price range of those on even the tightest budgets. It features an open-plan kitchen with a combined dining and lounge area. This leads to a sunbeam-filled deck from which you can gaze at mountain scenery while you sip a glass of chilled South African Sauvignon blanc. When the temperature rises you can take a cooling dip in your very own tropical forest-like pool serenaded by birdsong and the music of trickling water. 

If you want to get active you can rent a kayak or mountain hikes begin right from your doorstep. Heading down the hill and after a 10 minute meander you will find Hout Bay with its beach, restaurants and shops. Superhost Jean is known for her love of sharing her local knowledge and can point you in the right direction whether you are looking for somewhere to hear live music, are in search of the best wine estate or want to explore the many attractions in the area. 

Price per night – $43/£34

Location – Hout Bay 

 

ROKEBY HEIGHTS

Peaceful Suburban Retreat for 4 People

Tasteful, exceptionally clean and cheerfully bright, you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else of such exceptional value so close to Cape Town. Located in the peaceful suburbs, Rokeby Heights gives you a whole apartment to yourself and  features a ton of natural lighting, plenty of space and all you need for a comfortbale and self-contained home-away-from-home. 

It can accomodate 4 guests in its 2 bedrooms and has a open-plan combo of fully-fitted kitchen, dining room and lounge area with sofa and chairs. To add an extra touch of assurance your modern apartment is owned by Salman who has been awarded superhost status by Airbnb thanks to a stream of rave reviews. 

Price per night – $29/£23

Location – Southern suburbs of Cape Town

 

SUNNY CENTRAL APARTMENT WITH STYLE 

Prime location and Modern Chic at a Great Price

Prime location, a whole sunny 1-bedroom apartment to yourself which is equipped beyond the norm and all of it complete with lovely modern decor – you really do get a lot of bang for your buck here. An open plan lounge, kitchen and diner design are flooded with Cape Town light giving the entire space a bright, clean look with a few charming rustic touches thrown in.

Location-wise it is hard to beat. Sitting directly above the city’s lovely Company Gardens, a host of museums, galleries, restaurants and cafes are all within close walking distance. So too are many other Cape Town attractions and action hotspots such as Greenmarket Square and Long Street. 

If you decide to stay home your Airbnb plus-rated apartment offers some incredible views of the multi-coloured Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, the local landmark Signal Hill  and the distinctive mountain outline of Lion’s Head. Your apartment also features an outside balcony patio to make the most of your surrounding panoramas. 

Price per night – $35/£27

Location – Central Cape Town

 

Where To Stay In Cape Town – Cape Town AirBnBs with Exceptional Locations 

Of course each of us is different in how we define ‘ideal’ when it comes to location. The following selection has you covered whether a prime spot for you means the convenience of being right in town, living at absolute beach-front, something drenched in spectacular views or a property surrounded by the simply beautiful. Some of these here even tick off multiple criteria boxes if you can’t decide what ranks as your number one priority. 

 

URBAN OASIS WITH LUSH GARDENS

Amazing Stream-filled Garden Hideaway with Easy Access to Town

It can sometimes be hard to decide whether to opt for a convenient location or a stunning one. At this lush garden-surrounded oasis you don’t have to – you can have the best of both worlds. Within 10 minutes you can be in the city centre or at the waterfront and are otherwise within easy access of Cape Town’s main sights and attractions. However, when you want to indulge more in the stunning side of things this gorgeous contemporary 1-bedroom, 2-bathroom property adjoining an artist’s studio is otherwise infused with the naturally magnificent.

Floor- to-ceiling windows in the sitting room and roof windows in the bathroom flood your space with light, fill your views with cascading greenery and beckon the outside in. The completely private interior is sprinkled with elegant arty touches while outdoors you can choose whether to hide yourself away in areas only open to yourself or be sociable in the shared spaces. Among them they include a swimming pool, a lovely deck with sofas and chairs perfect for kicking back, a tranquil koi pond and an outside dining area for alfresco fans. 

Should you prefer someone else to do the cooking for you stroll into leafy Newlands Village as the sun sets and take your pick of restaurants, bistros and pubs for a sundowner drink or a feast of whatever takes your fancy. If you need a little help deciding superhosts Glenda and Gavin are on hand; few guests fail to mention the incredible hospitality and welcome you will find yourself amid here. 

Price per night – $61/£48 with breakfast included

Location – Newlands, a pretty Cape Town suburb known for its happening vibe

 

COSY, DOWNTOWN LOFT WITH MOUNTAIN VIEWS OVER ROOFTOP DECK

Centrally-located Designer Loft with Stunning Table Mountain Views

Boasting an Airbnb ‘plus’ property rating, this intimate fully self-contained loft is a wonderful urban-chic-meets-rustic mix of wooden beams, exposed brick and super-modern touches. Besides just being exceptionally lovely it comes with a long list of amenities such as a pool, a gym, beach-ready accessories and even a book and wine library. 

Able to accommodate up to 3 people, this classy but cosy loft places you bang-smack in the middle of Cape Town’s CBD area where you are surrounded by Art Deco buildings and history. Head out for a stroll and find yourself within minutes at St. George’s Cathedral, the Old Slave Quarters, the 17^th century Company’s Garden or several other essential city sights. Alternatively, if you prefer to kick back at the beach that is just a short Uber ride away. 

Once the Cape Town sun starts to make its journey down the sky fill a glass with wine or mix yourself a cocktail and head out onto your rooftop patio. Views of Table Mountain are yours for the taking from this exceptional place which host Alan describes as ”far away yet so close to the city”. 

Price per night – $90/£70

Location – Adderley Street, CBD, Cape Town

 

 

1 Bed BEACH BUNGALOW/GLEN BEACH VISTA

Luxury Located at Absolute Beach-front 

Of course there are those of us who don’t consider any location ideal unless it puts us right on the beach. If you happen to be one of those ocean-lovers who also need luxurious surroundings in which to wake to the sounds of waves then this sensational house is going to tick all your boxes. Just steps from the sand, ocean views of the exceptional kind are all part of the package here while you also get some stunning Table Mountain and Twelve Apostles mountain views thrown in too. The expanses of floor-to-ceiling living area windows ensure you make the most of such a spectacular setting. Even the en-suite bathroom has an ocean and mountain view porthole and should you want to shower under the stars the choice is yours. 

Otherwise this 1 to 2 bedroom sophisticated stunner is a modern masterpiece of muted tones with tasteful splashes of colour and wood accents. The touches of luxury are everywhere – the extra-length of the king size bed with its mountain views, the private ocean-view deck complete with loungers and gas barbecue and the kitchen’s state-of-the-art appliances. 

Head along the beach for an easy stroll which brings you to all the coffee shops, restaurants, shops and entertainment options located on the Camps Bay strip. If you have already had an active day you can stay home and ease away the hiking, surfing or otherwise-having-fun kinks with a long soak in your opulent bath tub before throwing something on the barbie, pouring your tipple of choice into a glass and gazing at the ocean. 

Price per night – $172/£134

Location – Glenn Beach 

 

MEDITERRANEAN STYLE VILLA APARTMENT

Exceptional Mountainside Villa with Ocean Views

Stunning ocean views, stunning décor and stunning reviews – you are at serious risk of word overuse here at this exceptional villa. Should you need to substitute another description though sophisticated, enchanting and exquisite may work just as well. 

Featuring pale wood floors, brilliant white walls and soft-furnishing accents of terracotta and turquoise this 1-bedroom property is reminiscent of Mediterranean-style glamour. All of this harmonises perfectly with the aqua-marine and cornflower-blue tones of the ocean and sky which fill the elegantly curved floor-to-ceiling lounge windows making up one entire wall. If you just can’t get enough of that view step through onto your private elevated terrace. Simply put sunset viewing spots don’t come much better than this. 

Offering direct access to Table Mountain, your villa sits nestled up against this famous natural landmark in its own little slice of serenity. Ubers are available if you want to get into town or head to the beach at Camps Bay. 

Price per night – $115/£90

Location – Table Mountain on the edge of Camps Bay 

 

Where To Stay In Cape Town – Cape Town AirBnBs Offering the Unique

MAGICAL 3 BED CASTLE WITH DUNGEON RECORDING STUDIO

Live Like Royalty at This Garden-surrounded Hout Bay Castle

If you are a little hard to please when it comes to finding utterly unique places to stay how does an ivy-clad and turreted castle sound? Better still how about such a castle on the beach? It may sound too good to be true but this is what you can have here. If you happen to be a budding musician there is also a state-of-the-art recording studio in the castle’s dungeon, fantastically lit and highly atmospheric to get your creative juices flowing.

Upstairs the castle touches are everywhere – from the iron chandelier in the bathroom to the romantic canopies over the beds with the exposed stone of the castle walls all around you. 

The Hout Bay setting for this magical 3-bedroom property is the epitome of peace and tranquillity. Wander off in the gardens to hunt down a hidden nook for some just-you time or relax on the roof garden. While you survey all the ocean and mountain glory of your 360 degree views from your castle perch it is hard not to feel like royalty. Should such calm and serenity ever wear thin a 15 minute Uber ride gets you into the heart of the city. Alternatively, other short drives will bring you to Cape Town vineyards, amazing hiking trails or simply somewhere wonderful to dine. 

Price per night – $285/£222

Location – Hout Bay, Cape Town 

 

RONDAWEL UNDER THATCH MOUNTAIN & SEA VIEWS

Thatched African-style Hut on the Mountain 

If Africa for you conjures up visions of thatched huts you can have your very own version of that with this cute little roundhouse for two. Besides a decidedly different place to lay your head each night this Chapman’s Peak-located hut also offers some spectacular mountain and Atlantic ocean views.

With your own private room and bathroom, you are surrounded by 2 acres of lush natural greenery and gardened terraces. There is also a gorgeous sun-deck and an especially lovely pool tucked away just below you which is heated by solar power. 

If you happen to be a wine fan you are literally surrounded by estates and vineyards to explore here or the centre of Cape Town with all its attractions is just a scenic drive away. A range of lovely beaches are also accessible including Long Beach – one of the city’s longest and loveliest – with its gleaming white sands. 

Price per night – $130/£101

Location – Noordhoek suburb of Cape Town, 

 

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