Which Hostel to choose in Cape Town in 2025?

Table of Contents

• Never@Home Green Point (Green Point)
• Ashanti Lodge & Backpackers (City Bowl)
• Long Street Backpackers (City Bowl)
• Green Elephant Backpackers (Observatory)
• African Soul Surfer (Muizenberg)

Never@Home Green Point (Green Point)

Never@Home is the crown jewel of Cape Town backpackers – in fact it was recently “crowned Hostelworld’s Best Large Hostel in Africa”. In a sunny old villa just a few blocks from the V&A Waterfront, it blends a lively party atmosphere with modern comforts. Free fast Wi-Fi, a 24/7 reception desk and even an outdoor pool and daily yoga classes are part of the package. The hostel buzzes with scheduled activities (yoga, market walks, hikes up Table Mountain) and has a popular on-site bar (the “Randy Warthog” with its legendary burgers) where happy hour and events are nightly highlights.

• Key features: Dorms (including women-only), private rooms (ensuite or shared bath), air-conditioning, secure lockers, free Wi-Fi, two large shared kitchens, large social lounge, and a terraced garden with BBQ and pool. Daily events (from trivia nights to beer-pong) and free gym/yoga/market tours are offered.
• Price range: Dorm beds ~R250–R350 per night; private doubles from ~R900. Rates vary by season (Genius and advance-booking discounts available on Booking.com or Hostelworld).
• Booking: Official site (best deals + multi-night discounts), also on Hostelworld and Booking.com.
• Pros: Amazing social vibe and location (walking distance to Waterfront and stadium); lots of included activities; very clean and secure; friendly 24/7 staff.
• Cons: Can get noisy late at night (common area/bar); dorms fill up fast in high season; cashless policy (cards only).

Ashanti Lodge & Backpackers (City Bowl)

Ashanti is a true institution in the heart of the City Bowl, just off Long Street. Part hostel, part backpacker “village,” it sits in a converted Victorian building with cozy courtyards and a laid-back bar. Ashanti manages to feel both historic and hip, with weekly braais, live music, art displays, and movie nights – the kind of place you instantly make friends.

• Key features:
• Mixed dorms (4–10 beds) and private rooms (twins & doubles), all with secure lockers and shared bathrooms.
• Two leafy courtyards and a downstairs lounge/bar (“Ashanti Bar”) open until late, plus pool and darts.
• Free Wi-Fi, laundry, tour desk, book swap, and shuttle service to/from the airport.
• Price range:
• Dorm beds: ~R200–R300 pn
• Private doubles: ~R800–R1 000 pn
  (Prices fluctuate with season; book early for summer discounts.)
• Booking:
• Official site & booking
• Also on Hostelworld and Booking.com
• Pros:
• Perfect City Bowl location (walking distance to bars, restaurants, museums).
• Amazing social vibe with live events every week.
• Large communal kitchen and unbeatable courtyards for meeting fellow travelers.
• Cons:
• Can be loud on weekends.
• Bathrooms get busy at peak times.
• A few of the older rooms are small and have no A/C (fans only).

Long Street Backpackers (City Bowl)

Long Street Backpackers lives up to its nickname “The Soul of Long Street”. Housed in a handsome brick building smack in the heart of CT’s bar-and-restaurant district, it’s all about partying and meeting fellow travelers. Guests praise its huge central courtyard (perfect for braais – South African barbecues – and ping-pong) and the two sun-drenched balconies overlooking downtown. A common-room with satellite TV and a pool table, plus a large self-catering kitchen, means there’s always something fun going on. The vibe is ultra-friendly (shared dinners and bar crawls are nightly rituals), though it’s definitely an “old-school backpacker” spot rather than a quiet “poshtel”.

• Key features: Mixed dorms (up to 8 beds) and private rooms (twin/double) with shared bathrooms, all inside a lively open-air lodge. Fast Wi-Fi (throughout), free tea/coffee station, cable TV, laundry, tour desk, ping-pong and pool tables. Reception is open until midnight and staff can arrange city tours or airport shuttles.
• Price range: Dorm beds ~R150–R250; private doubles ~R800–R1000. (Dorms under age 35 only – they enforce an age limit for dorm rooms.)
• Booking: Available on Hostelworld (Hoscars Winner) and Booking.com. Walk-ins are OK off-season but book ahead in summer/weekends.
• Pros: Epic social scene and location (right in the midst of CT nightlife); very clean with friendly long-term staff; strong security (includes passport check). Free towels, cheap laundry. Great central courtyard and balconies.
• Cons: Can be too rowdy if you want sleep (rooms are basic); no on-site bar (but plenty nearby); dorm bathrooms can get crowded at peak times; older building, so some rooms lack AC (only fans).

Green Elephant Backpackers (Observatory)

Green Elephant Backpackers (Observatory): A relaxed, student-friendly hostel in leafy Observatory. This large Victorian house (running since 1994) offers dorm beds and private rooms to interns, students and budget travelers alike. It has a chill vibe (think café-courtyard, hammocks and couches) rather than a party bar, but still hosts nightly spaghetti dinners and occasional live music. Free Wi-Fi extends to the patio, and there’s a laundry and well-equipped kitchen for cooking. A bonus for families or groups: there’s a (small) swimming pool in the garden.

• Key features: Mixed dorms (4–8 bed) and private rooms with shared bathrooms, all simply decorated. On-site amenities include a pool, multiple lounges, and a fully stocked communal kitchen. There’s also a workshop café downstairs and bike parking. Safe on-street parking is available (first-come).
• Price range: Dorm beds ~R180–R250; private rooms from ~R600 (twin) up to ~R1200 (family rooms).
• Booking: Official site (includes hostel details) or Booking.com. Observatory is a bit off the tourist radar, so you can sometimes snag last-minute deals.
• Pros: Quiet location (apart from O’Town nightlife a block away) with characterful architecture; good self-catering facilities; perfect for longer stays (visiting UCT/med school area). Very safe and clean.
• Cons: Social vibe is mellow (not a party hostel); some dorms have no AC (ceiling fans only) so rooms can get warm. Common areas can feel a little worn (though kept tidy).

African Soul Surfer (Muizenberg)

African Soul is the classic beach hostel of Muizenberg, just a minute’s walk from the famous pastel surf huts on Muizenberg Beach. It feels more like a laid-back guesthouse: the main building has comfy family rooms and dorms with private bathrooms, plus balconies overlooking the water. A covered terrace and café-bar serve African and surf-style fare (including veggie options), and free Wi-Fi reaches the sand. Guests can wake up to epic sunrises or evening bonfires on the beach just outside the door. The hostel also hosts informal activities like yoga and movie nights.

• Key features: Beachfront (0.1 mi from Muizenberg Beach); dorms and private rooms with ensuite baths; bar/restaurant on-site; sun terrace and garden with sea views. Other perks include laundry, free parking, and surfboard rentals nearby.
• Price range: Dorm beds ~R180–R250; private rooms from ~R800 (twin) up to R1400 (family rooms). (Prices are generally low for beachfront property.)
• Booking: Booking.com listing (and on Expedia/Hostelworld) often have the best deals. You can also walk in off-season.
• Pros: Genuine surf-town vibe and unbeatable beach access; friendly multilingual staff; restaurant/bar onsite; great value for location. Very family-friendly (plenty of space for kids).
• Cons: Facilities are fairly basic (some rooms and bathrooms feel a bit worn); limited social spaces (it’s more chill than party); breakfast is charged extra. Wi-Fi can be spotty in far rooms.

Happy travels! Cape Town’s hostel scene is diverse – from luxury “poshtels” to hostel classics – but these five top picks offer the best blend of location, value and atmosphere in the city and its surrounds. Wherever you choose to stay, you’re sure to find fellow adventurers and a warm South African welcome. Safe journeys and enjoy the Mother City!