Where to Stay in Cape Town? Safe Neighborhoods with Map and Accommodation Tips

After 10 stays in Cape Town, I know where you can stay the best and which neighborhoods are safe.

Where to stay in Cape Town? I will show you the best neighborhoods in Cape Town. After 10 visits to my favorite city, I can tell you exactly where it's most beautiful, focusing on safety, views, and getting around quickly without traffic. I have tested everything.

My favorites for safety and ideal location: Gardens and Tamboerskloof for the best view of Table Mountain, Lions Head, Signal Hill, and the city view. Plus, quick access to many restaurants and attractions.

Central for sightseeing: V&A Waterfront, De Waterfront, or Bo-Kaap (safer than many think).

Central and trendy by the sea: Sea Point and Green Point.

Beach vacationers and lively: Camps Bay and Clifton.

For peace seekers: Cape Peninsula in Simons Town, Hout Bay, or Kommetjie (between sand dunes).

In all these neighborhoods in Cape Town, I have stayed multiple times and can say that they are safe. You can walk freely during the day. You can also reach the many restaurants and cafés affordably with UBER (better than a taxi). Read my tips based on extensive experience regarding safety in Cape Town.

Keep reading and I'll show you where I book and search for my accommodations in Cape Town and South Africa. I will show you all the places where I have stayed so far, a mix of hotels, B&Bs, and mostly Airbnb apartments or whole houses.

For a quick overview, I've marked a map and the best neighborhoods in Cape Town for you. Generally, the City Bowl and the Atlantic Coast are of interest to you. If you only want to spend one day in Cape Town, and just visit Table Mountain, the Waterfront, and possibly Robben Island, then you can also find a wonderful and quieter accommodation on the Cape Peninsula (my favorite is Hout Bay).

Really everyone who travels to Cape Town for the first time automatically looks for accommodations with a "sea view." I'll give you a tip: in Cape Town, you look for "Table Mountain and Lions Head views," as this is unique. Seeing the "tablecloth" over Table Mountain every morning is something special. The best accommodations are those that offer both: a view of Table Mountain and a sea view.

They exist, particularly in my favorite neighborhoods of Tamboerskloof and Gardens, as well as Bo-Kaap. Occasionally, there are also Airbnb apartments or hotels in Green Point and at the V&A Waterfront/De Waterfront that offer this view.

The better the view, the more expensive the accommodation.

Our experience shows that apartments on Airbnb are significantly cheaper than a hotel. Only when we are briefly in the city do we stay in a hotel. However, Cape Town offers so many great breakfast options that the hotel breakfast is usually not worth it.

We have stayed in all these hotels. The Bayview Boutique Guesthouse in Tamboerskloof is beautiful and offers you a fantastic breakfast. The owner is Swiss and has great tips for all visitors.

Are you visiting Cape Town for the first time and want to explore both the city center and the Cape Peninsula? Then I recommend staying in the City Bowl - the city center area. The city center consists of the neighborhoods that you will primarily visit:

The City Bowl is bordered on one side by the Atlantic Ocean and on the other by Table Mountain.

Opinions differ about Bo-Kaap: I find it safe during the day if you stick to the "usual" tourist streets. If you venture into smaller alleys on foot, you might run into junkies shooting up (happened to Chris while photographing). However, they generally leave you alone. In the evening, you can easily park your rental car (if you have one) in front of the house. The location is great for exploration since UBER vehicles are quick here.

Are you drawn more to the sea? Then for first-time visitors, you should choose Green Point or Sea Point. The Atlantic Seaboard region also includes the neighborhoods of Camps Bay (a typical tourist spot, very bustling, with many expensive hotels) and Llandudno, which has the most beautiful beach in Cape Town.

Otherwise, popular areas include Clifton, Fresnaye, and Bantry Bay. Even though you will find white sandy beaches here with many trendy restaurants and bars, Camps Bay has never been my favorite. It's too hip, busy, and touristy for me.

Moreover, getting to the center for dinner takes a very long time every evening. That gets tedious over time.

I have often stayed in Sea Point (now almost 100% gentrified), in Green Point, and once in Camps Bay. The trips to the City Bowl often took too long for me, even though the views of the Twelve Apostles mountain range and the beautiful coastal road to Hout Bay are real highlights.

In Sea Point, more and more digital nomads are overwintering, there are gyms, and many great cafés, restaurants, and bars. Nonetheless, I prefer accommodations with a view of Table Mountain.

Read my tips for the most beautiful beaches in Cape Town here.

Overall, the safety situation has been much better in recent years than in Johannesburg. Due to COVID and the poor economic situation in the country, crime rates have risen again. However, I have never felt unsafe. During the day you can walk around without any problems. Especially safe are: Victoria & Albert Waterfront, Tamboerskloof, Long Street, Bo-Kaap during the day, and Oranjezicht.

Trust your instincts and feelings. Take an UBER instead of walking. No one wants to walk up or down steep streets when it's over 30 degrees. Read this article about my tips and experiences on safety in South Africa.

Here I have written a detailed report on safety in Cape Town and my experience.

I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful in answering your questions. If you have any ideas or questions, we would love to hear your comment here on the travel blog. Since I am frequently in Cape Town, this article will be continuously updated.

If you have no questions: We still look forward to your feedback and for you to share it with friends!

Do you want to always receive the best travel and insider tips? Then follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Threads, or subscribe to my newsletter to receive regular updates and exclusive tips.

♥ Do you like my tips? Show your appreciation with a coffee ☕️

My articles are the result of intensive research, personal experiences, and honest recommendations - all without AI. I write them so that you can plan your travels with ease and with real, tested tips.

If you enjoy my work and just want to say thank you, I appreciate a small donation to my virtual travel fund. Every contribution helps me continue to create high-quality content for you with independence and passion. Thank you!

Trust is important: In some of my articles, you will find affiliate links. If you book or buy something through one of these links, it costs you nothing extra - but I earn a small commission. This way, you can support me without any extra effort and help me keep this blog alive. Thank you for being part of my community and sharing my passion for authentic travel!