Last updated: 10/20/23 | October 20, 2023
Cape Town It has been a popular destination for backpackers for many years. Digital Nomad This is thanks to the city’s vibrant nightlife and rich and diverse culture.
There are plenty of budget hostels for backpackers and nomads. Here is my list of the best hostels in Cape Town that will help you have fun, meet other travelers, and get a good night’s sleep while you spend your time in one of the greatest cities in the world.
But first, here are four things you need to remember before choosing a hotel in Cape Town:
- Place – While transportation in Cape Town isn’t exactly easy, getting to most major areas is quick and easy, but to make a decision you may want to consider safety issues and which attractions you want to be closest to. Choose a hotel that’s close to the attractions you want to visit and/or the nightlife you want to experience so you don’t waste time (and money) on transportation.
- price – Most hotels in Cape Town are fairly cheap, but some are cheaper than others. If you’re willing and able to pay a little more, you can get accommodation with extra amenities like air conditioning. However, the cheaper options are still good value.
- Conveniences – All hotels offer free Wi-Fi and some also offer free breakfast, but if you want more, do your research first to find the hotel that best meets your needs.
- staff – All of the hostels listed here have amazing staff! They are super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t stay at one of the hostels listed below, check out the reviews to make sure you end up finding a hostel where the staff is helpful and friendly. They can make or break a hostel!
Here is my list of the best hostels in Cape Town. If you don’t want to read the long list, here are the best hostels in each category:
Best hotels for budget travelers:
Best hostels for digital nomads:
Best hotels for solo female travelers:
Want to know more about each hostel? Here is my breakdown of the best hostels in Cape Town and why I love them:
Price Description (per night)
- $ = less than 250 ZAR
- $$ = 250-400 South African Rand
- $$$ = over 400 Euros
1. Villa Viva
Located near trendy Kloof Street and its popular bars and restaurants, Villa Viva is a fun, social hostel with a bar and late night parties and live music on weekends. I particularly liked that the hostel organises various events such as painting and drinking nights and Brais (South African BBQ). The lodge also has a WhatsApp group for meeting new people and making plans, and an outdoor pool for when you’re hanging out.
I really liked the thick mattresses on the dorm beds (and the curtains so you can get a good night’s sleep). There were also outlets and lights above the beds. The best part for me, though, was the pressurized shower. Awesome!
Villa Viva Overview:
- $$$
- Hotel WhatsApp groups make it easy to meet new people
- Lively outdoor area with swimming pool and gardens
- Organize many activities
Beds start from R420 and private rooms from R950.
2. Ashanti Lodge and Gardens
Ashanti Lodge is in the leafy suburb of Gardens, in a quiet area (but only a 10-minute walk from Kloof Street). It’s quieter, although it has a pool and is quite social. Although it’s small, it’s still easy to meet other travelers if you’re traveling alone. There’s a shared kitchen if you want to cook, and a cafe that serves breakfast and reopens as a bar every night.
Although the dorm beds had no curtains, I appreciated the thick mattresses and the abundance of plugs and USB ports in the room. The modern bathroom also had a very good high pressure shower (a big plus in my book!).
Ashanti Lodge Gardens at a Glance:
- $$$
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Great shower
- There is a cafe/bar on site
Beds start from R460 and private rooms from R865.
3. The Green Dot That Never Goes Home
This is a fun party hostel in the vibrant Green Point neighborhood. It’s also one of the few with air-conditioned rooms (a huge plus if you’re here during the hottest part of the summer). As with most party hostels, the rooms are pretty basic, with just sockets, shelves, and squeaky metal beds with thin mattresses.
What this hostel lacks in comfort, it makes up for with its super friendly staff and vibrant atmosphere. They organize daily events and activities such as trivia, Braisand hiking, so it’s easy to meet new people here. There’s also an active hostel WhatsApp group, a daily happy hour at the bar, bike rentals, a swimming pool, a large kitchen, and some indoor workspaces if you work online.
Never at Home Green Point at a Glance:
- $$
- Fun bar and pool for hanging out
- Daily Activities
- Dormitory has air conditioning
Beds start from 372 ZAR and private rooms from 1,562 ZAR.
4. Cape Atlantic
Atlantic Point is one of the oldest backpackers hostels in town. Located in Green Point, it has a warm, welcoming vibe and is one of those hostels where you feel like you’re staying at a friend’s house. It’s not a party hostel, but it’s very social and it’s easy to meet new people because there’s a pool and a small bar with a daily happy hour. There’s also free breakfast.
The dorms are small but clean and bright, with thick beds, lamps and shelves (no privacy curtains though). Only some rooms have air conditioning though, so be sure to book one if you’re here during the hot summer months.
Cape Atlantic at a glance:
- $$
- Bar with daily happy hour
- Free breakfast
- Relaxing outdoor area with swimming pool
Beds start at 315 ZAR and private rooms start at 1,403 ZAR.
5. Long Street Backpackers Hostel
Just a 10-minute walk from the starting point of the historical walking tour and many other historical attractions, this is the place to stay if you want to be in the heart of all the action. This is a fun and sociable hostel and one of the cheapest in the city, making it a great choice for travelers on a budget. However, the real highlight is that since the hostel is on the same grid as the Parliament Buildings, there is never a power outage (Cape Town is prone to blackouts and brownouts).
The outdoor garden area is an oasis of calm away from the bustle of the hostel bar, which hosts nightly events such as karaoke, beer pong and open mics. As with most party hostels, the dormitories have cheap metal beds with no curtains and rudimentary mattresses, but if you stay here, sleep is probably not your priority!
List of Long Street Backpackers Hostels:
- $
- There are lively parties every night
- Centrally located, no load shedding
- Affordable
Beds start from R195 and private rooms from R640.
Cape Town Being a large city, it has a lot to offer, so it’s important to choose the right hostel based on what you want to see and do. Luckily, there are plenty of great options to choose from, ensuring you can enjoy your trip to this picturesque destination at an affordable price.
Booking a trip to Cape Town: logistical tips and tricks
Book a flight
use Skyscanner Find cheap flights. They are my favorite search engine because they search sites and airlines worldwide so you always know no details are missed.
Book your stay
You can book a hostel via the following methods Hostel World Because they have the largest inventory and the best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hotel, use Booking.com Because they consistently bring the cheapest prices for guest houses and budget hotels.
Don’t forget travel insurance
Travel insurance will cover you for illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It provides you with comprehensive protection if anything goes wrong. I always travel without it because I have used it many times in the past. My favorite companies that provide the best service and value are:
Looking for the best money saving company?
View My Resources Page Find the best companies to use when traveling. I have listed all the companies I use to save money when traveling. They will also save you money when you travel.
Want more information about South Africa?
Please be sure to visit our A detailed destination guide to South Africa Get more planning tips!
