Welcome to Camps Bay, often referred to as the Miami Beach of Cape Town! This upscale seaside suburb, just a 10-minute drive from the city center, boasts white sand, turquoise surf, and a backdrop of towering mountains, creating one of the most stunning beach scenes in the world.
Camps Bay is the most expensive neighborhood in all of Cape Town. It’s right on the beach with amazing views of the Atlantic, Lion’s Head, Table Mountain, and the 12 Apostles. As far as tourists go, this neighborhood has it all.
Whether you’re staying for a day or a week, visiting Camps Bay is a must. In this guide, we’ll explore the best accommodation options, ensuring you enjoy Camps Bay to the fullest.
Camps Bay overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Getting Around Cape Town
Before diving into accommodation options, here’s how to navigate Cape Town:
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- Uber: One of the best and most cost-effective ways to get around Cape Town due to the short distances between attractions.
- My CitiBus: Another affordable option. You can buy and top up a transport code at stations.
- Rent a Car: Recommended for exploring beyond Cape Town. Gas stations accept both cash and credit.
- Rent a Scooter: Scooters and Vespas are popular, offering breathtaking oceanic drives around Cape Point.
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Accommodation Options in Camps Bay
Most hotels and accommodations are centered near the beaches or the V&A Waterfront area. However, some magical luxury and boutique hotels around Cape Town are worth a little extra drive for a stunning, relaxing, and serene atmosphere.
Luxury Hotels
POD Camps Bay: A stunning boutique hotel situated right on Camps Bay beach. It’s walkable to a choice of restaurants and bars, plus their breakfast is top-notch.
POD Camps Bay offers stunning views and top-notch service.
South Beach: A gorgeous collection of waterfront apartments in Camps Bay with modern amenities, flat-screen TVs, free WI-FI, oceanfront views, and continental breakfast served in-room.
Tintswalo Atlantic: Known as Cape Town’s hidden gem, this 5-star award-winning lodge offers incredible views. It’s located a little out of town in Hout Bay, with rooms offering Atlantic Ocean views, perfect for whale watching.
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The Silo Hotel: An old grain silo transformed into a luxurious hotel with 28 rooms, including a one-bedroom penthouse. Room categories range from silo rooms with harbor views to royal suites with balconies.
Twelves Apostles Hotel: Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, this luxury escape offers stunning rooms and exquisite dining. Enjoy sipping tea by the sea in an outdoor gazebo.
Ellerman House: With only 13 rooms, this hotel focuses on customer service and attention to detail. Rates include breakfast, drinks, wine tasting, a minibar, and a private chef.
Budget-Friendly Options
Curiocity Backpackers: Located in the city center, this chic hostel is perfect for budget travelers. Choose from en-suite private rooms, dormitories, and air-conditioned pod accommodations.
VRBO Rentals: Abundant in Cape Town, offering beautiful properties at affordable prices.
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Houghton Views 13
I recently stayed at an amazing hotel right near to the waterfront called Houghton Views 13 equipped with a private panoramic rooftop deck looking over all of Camps Bay. The Houghton Views 13 is part of the Houghton Views Guest House next door which is owned by the same people.
The stunning view from Houghton Views 13.
The penthouse room at the Houghton Views 13 has a private roof deck and perhaps one of the best views in all of Camps Bay. The roof terrace is at least 100 square meters of outdoor space. It includes a beautiful wooden table where we could watch the sunset and enjoy the views. You can see everything from up here including the Atlantic, Camps Bay Beach, Lion’s Head, and all the way down the coast of the Western Cape towards Cape Point.
It is around $150-$200 in the high season and less in the winter months. I think for the great location, fantastic views, and overall general amenities, it is totally worth a stay.
Dining in Camps Bay
One of my favorite things about Cape Town is that the city has an almost endless list of places to eat.
- The Codfather: A Cape Town stable offering fresh seafood that you choose by the kilo before they prepare it for you in their signature sauces.
- The Hussar Grill: Two of my favorites in the vicinity of Houghton Views is the Codfather and the Hussar Grill.
- Test Kitchen: Located in The Old Biscuit Mill, a blend of South African and Latin cuisine with inventive dishes.
- Shortmarket Club: With the same owners as The Pot Luck Club and The Test Kitchen, this restaurant is another big hit.
- The Stack: Named one of the top restaurants in Cape Town, you can’t go wrong with a visit to The Stack.
Things to Do in and Around Camps Bay
You can’t run out of things to do in Cape Town. If you’re an adventure lover, it’s especially a great place for you-from water sports to hiking, windsurfing, paragliding, and helicopter tours, you can get your adrenaline fix.
- Beaches: The most famous beach is Clifton 2nd located on the western coast.
- Scenic Drives: Take a drive along the beautiful coastal road to scenic Cape Point.
- Hiking:
- Lion’s Head: One of the more popular hikes in Cape Town is Lion’s Head.
- Skelton Gorge: For a longer hike, make your way up Skelton Gorge.
- Kloof Corner: Only a 20-minute hike up the slopes of Table Mountain, this is one of the best short hikes in the city.
- Helicopter Flights: Several companies offer scenic helicopter flights of Cape Town with stunning views of the city and the Cape!
Safety in Cape Town
Like any major city, Cape Town has its fair share of theft, crime and gang-related activity, but don't let that put you off a trip there. Tourist crime is relatively low, and as long as you exercise caution, use common sense, and stick to the tourist-approved neighbourhoods, you should have little problems with safety in Cape Town.
Always keep alert for travel scams, avoid carrying large sums of cash, and come nightfall, don't walk alone or use public transport - all tips that seasoned travellers will know well. We also wouldn't suggest hiking by yourself or leaving things of value in a car, as carjacking can be quite common.
Safest Neighborhoods to Stay In
- Bakoven: A secluded residential suburb ideal for couples seeking peace and quiet, with easy access to Bakoven Beach and Beta Beach.
- City Bowl: Nestled between the harbor and mountains, close to the Central Business District (CBD), with fantastic shopping, trendy coffee shops, and delicious restaurants on Bree Street.
- Gardens: Situated on the slopes above City Bowl, close to city attractions, with the historic Company Gardens.
- Camps Bay: Known for its location between the Twelve Apostles and white sandy beaches.
- V&A Waterfront: An upscale, bustling area with easy access to attractions, retail therapy, and events.
- Sea Point: A lively coastal suburb with the Sea Point Promenade for walking and cycling.
- Green Point: The best destination for sports and outdoor enthusiasts, with Green Point Park and Cape Town Stadium.
- Muizenberg: A chilled-out surf town with colorful beach huts and surf schools.
- Bantry Bay: A high-end suburb on the slopes of Lion’s Head, close to shops, restaurants, and Saunders Beach.
Enjoy your stay!
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