Green Point

Atlantic Point Backpackers

★★★★★

Atlantic Point Backpackers is one of the best-known hostels in Cape Town and a genuine budget choice in one of the city's most convenient neighbourhoods. It is in Green Point, the lively strip between the V&A Waterfront and Sea Point, close to Cape Town Stadium and Green Point Urban Park, and it puts budget travellers within walking distance of things that usually require a more expensive hotel. The Sea Point Promenade, with its seafront path, lighthouse and sunsets, is a few minutes away; the restaurants, bars and cafes of Green Point's Main Road are nearby; and the Waterfront, with the Robben Island ferry, the aquarium and Zeitz MOCAA, is a walk or a short ride. The hostel offers a range of room types. There are dormitories, including six-bed dorms, for solo travellers on the tightest budgets; private twin and double rooms, including en-suite doubles, for couples who want their own space; and a family room, which makes it one of the few hostels in the area that works for families. The atmosphere is social and friendly, with communal spaces where guests meet, share travel tips and plan trips, and staff who know the city and can help book tours, from Table Mountain hikes to Cape Point and township tours. It is a good place to meet other travellers if you are on your own. Like most hostels, it is simple: expect shared bathrooms in the dorms, basic furnishings and some noise in the communal areas. But it is clean, well located and good value, and it has a long-standing reputation among backpackers.

Choosing a room: solo travellers should book a dorm; smaller dorms are quieter. Couples get much better value from a private en-suite double than from two dorm beds in a hotel-priced area, and the family room is a rare option for budget-conscious families. Book early for December, January and Easter, when Cape Town's hostels fill up.

What to know: check the hostel's website for the current facilities, rates and policies, which can change by season. Green Point is busy and generally safe, but use ride-hailing apps at night rather than walking long distances, and lock your valuables in a locker. Getting to the city centre and the beaches is easy by MyCiTi bus or ride-hailing car, and the Waterfront is within walking distance in daylight.

Who it suits: backpackers, solo travellers, young couples and budget-conscious families who want a sociable base in a great location. It is not for anyone who needs hotel comforts or complete quiet. For a step up in comfort at a still-moderate price, Breakwater Lodge at the Waterfront and the Holiday Inn Express in the city centre are the next options.