Cape Town is known for its beautiful landscapes and stunning beaches and has been a popular hub for backpackers for years. It is also fast becoming a favorite for digital nomads, thanks to the city’s vibrant nightlife and rich and diverse culture.
Once a super inexpensive travel destination, with the growing popularity of Cape Town, the cost of living has also increased.
Fortunately, it is still very affordable and there are many budget hostels for backpackers and nomads.
Below you will find my list of the best hostels in Cape Town that will help you to have fun, meet other travelers and sleep well while spending time in one of the biggest cities in the world.
But first, here are four things you should consider before choosing a hostel in Cape Town:
Location: Cape Town is not very extensive and it is quick and easy to get to most of the main areas, but to guide your decision, you should consider things like security and the attractions you prefer to be closer to. Choose a hostel close to the attractions you want to see and/or the nightlife you want to experience so you don’t waste time (and money) in transit.
Price- Most of the hostels in Cape Town are quite inexpensive, but there are some that are affordable than others. If you are willing and able to pay a little more, you can get accommodation with advantages such as air conditioning. However, the affordable options still offer a lot of value.
Services: All hostels offer free WiFi and some include free breakfast, but if you want more, do your research to find the one that best suits your needs.
Staff- All the hostels listed here have great staff! They are super friendly and competent. Even if you are not staying in one of the places listed below, take a look at the reviews to make sure you end up in a place where the staff is helpful and friendly. You can make or break a hostel!
1. Villa Viva
Located in the Tamboerskloof district, a stone’s throw from Moderna Kloof Street and its many popular bars and restaurants, Villa Viva offers almost everything you could want from a hostel. It has a lively atmosphere and a hostel bar, which hosts parties and often live music on weekends
In addition, there are several other social benefits, such as weekly painting and sipping nights, braais (South African barbecues) and a WhatsApp group at the hostel. There are many places to hang out and many sitting areas to work online, as well as a nice outdoor area with a nice swimming pool, hammock, colorful sun loungers and a vegetable garden.
Even on a night out with a live DJ, the rooms are still quiet, spotlessly clean and comfortable. Each bunk bed is very spacious, with thick curtains, sockets and a lamp. The bathrooms were also very nice, with Moderna furniture and a clean and pressurized rain shower.
2.Ashanti Lodge Gardens
Located in the leafy suburb of Gardens, Ashanti Lodge is not as well known as some of the other hostels as it is tucked away in a quiet area but is still only a 10 minute walk from Kloof Street. The hostel has many amenities, including a large swimming pool with many sun loungers and a nice kitchen. It also has a cafe that opens for breakfast and reopens every night at 5 am as a bar.
Although there were no lamps or sockets next to the beds in the bedroom, there were plenty of sockets and USB ports in the room, and if you are lucky enough to get a lower bunk bed, there were also privacy curtains. The Moderna bathrooms also have very nice power showers.
Like Villa Viva, this place has a more exclusive atmosphere and is a place you should go if you are looking for peace and tranquility. Although it is not a crowded place, the smaller size makes it quite easy to meet people.
3. Never at home Green Dot
Never at Home Green Point is a popular hostel located in the lively Green Point district, close to the V&A promenade and the beaches of Sea Point. This is one of the few hostels with air-conditioned rooms. So if you are here during the summer heat, this is a big plus.
Apart from the air conditioning, the rooms are very basic, with sockets, a shelf and creaky metal bunk beds. The rooms and bathrooms may be a bit cleaner, but overall they are decent enough if you are looking for a inexpensive place to meet other travelers.
Because what this hostel lacks in luxury, it more than makes up for in a sociable atmosphere. It’s very big, with 48 rooms, so meeting people can be intimidating at first, but that’s changing quickly. The extremely friendly staff really goes out of their way to make sure you have a good time, and with daily activities and events like trivia, braais and hikes, it’s really easy to meet people.
In addition, there is an active hostel WhatsApp group, bike rental, a beautiful outdoor terrace with swimming pool, a large kitchen and a couple of indoor work areas if you work online.
The hostel’s bar/restaurant, the geile Warthog, is open to the public and regularly organizes billiards and beer pong tournaments. There is also a daily happy hour from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., as well as during load shedding, the not-so-fun part of South Africa, when the electricity goes out for several hours at different times of the day.
