The Best Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals in Cape Town

From the balconies of these large one-bedroom apartments, you look out over quintessential Cape Town – Table Mountain, the indigo rollers of the Atlantic and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years imprisoned during apartheid. Celebrate your freedom at snowy beaches, trendy restaurants and entertainment hangouts, all just a short walk away, with golf, horse-riding and fishing a short drive further (there’s onsite parking for your car).

This two-bedroom apartment gives you four-star comfort (complete with an espresso maker) in the heart of Cape Town’s oldest and most picturesque residential area, the Bo-Kaap, home of Malay culture, and now a cultural melting pot. The brightly-coloured homes lining cobbled streets on the slopes of Signal Hill are postcards waiting to happen, and the SA Heritage Resources Agency credits the area with the biggest concentration of pre-1850 architecture in the country. Enjoy!

These funky contemporary two-bedroom apartments slap bang in the city centre are just the ticket for savouring the shops, eateries, clubs and bars of Long Street, AKA ‘Party Street’. Don’t miss The Cousins Pasta, signature dish at The Cousins restaurant: tagliolini with cream, mushrooms and thyme tossed in a wheel of grana padano cheese. Walk it off by taking in the imposing Edwardian Cape Town City Hall, Castle of Good Hope and National Gallery, all less than eight minutes away.

The perfect possie for those who love nature. This low-key apartment, which sleeps four in two bedrooms, is in upmarket Mouille Point between the vibey Victoria & Albert Waterfront and Granger Bay. Join the Capetonians who pound the paved promenade each day before chilling on the beach. Explore Two Oceans Aquarium, and end at Green Point Urban Park and Biodiversity Garden – with playgrounds, picnic areas, and an outdoor gym, not to mention 300 local plant species, animal sculptures and interactive displays.

These trendy natural wood and bare brick one-bedroom apartments are in equally trendy Camps Bay. Below, you’ll find one of the city’s best beaches, with soft white sand, a natural rock pool and stirring views of the Twelve Apostles mountains. It’s also home to fabulous seafood restaurants, cocktail bars and a lively gay scene. It even has its own Theatre on the Bay, which stages dramas, musicals and comedy.

Choose a simple family cottage (sleeping 4 to 6), or a romantic studio cabana for two, for a taste of quiet country life at the foot of the Table Mountain National Park. Midway between the Cape Town CBD and Cape Point, this is a great base to explore both. Noordhoek beach has 8km (5mi) of pale sands perfect for kite surfing or horse riding, and the warmer waters of Simonstown are a short drive away. You’re also just 30 minutes from the cable car or the buzzing V&A Waterfront.

These two-bedroom, two-bathroom, adults-only apartments come with a swimming pool and barbecue grills for a fun DIY taste of South African life. The setting couldn’t be better – you’re in the heart of lively Sea Point, near the CBD and beaches (Milton, Saunder’s Rock, with tidal pools), and threaded by the Sea Point promenade. Get you mojo on at the Mojo Market, with artisanal goods, sushi bars, craft coffee shops, sport screenings, live music joints, and four bars, one claiming the biggest selection of beverages on tap in the southern hemisphere. You be the judge!

These airy three-sleeper apartments in the CBD certainly have sensational city views. They also have a swimming pool, perfect for chilling after hitting the vibey shops of Long and Kloof streets, and the South African Museum and Planetarium a 10-minute walk away. Head out for great ‘dude food’ (hand-crafted pizzas and burgers) at nearby Tiger’s Milk, and the unforgettable Africa Cafe, with hand-painted decor and food that takes you from Kenya (channa fish dusted with chickpea flour) to Botswana, Morocco, Kenya and Ethiopia (‘Lab’ curd cheese with fresh herbs), while staff dance and sing.

Camps Bay is one of South Africa’s most revered suburbs. With mountain views on the one side, and the vast Atlantic on the other, it’s difficult to know where to look. This spectacular house takes advantage of both, with views of Lion’s Head, the Twelve Apostles, and the ocean from several rooms and the expansive covered terrace. There’s also a plunge pool for cooling off on those hot summer days.

The quiet oceanside suburb of Bakoven manages to achieve small town charm just minutes away from the bustling Camps Bay strip. This beach house situated on the rocks above Bakoven beach is the perfect place from which to appreciate this unique corner of Cape Town. It may not be cheap, but the amenities on offer, including a hot tub, and stellar design go a long way towards justifying it. And that’s before you’ve considered just how incredible the sea and mountain views from the bungalow are.