The historic centre cradled in the natural 'bowl' below Table Mountain — the Company's Garden, the colourful Bo-Kaap, museums, Long Street's nightlife, and the cable-car station above. The most central and characterful base, walkable and close to the mountain; lively by day, with a buzzing (if edgier) night scene. Keep your wits after dark.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€90–180
typical per night in South Africa
The sensible middle
Typical prices for Cape Town — neither steal nor splurge.
Where it sits
The circle is City Bowl and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- Sunset at Signal Hill21 min walk1.7 km
- The V&A Waterfront7 min taxi2.5 km
- Lion's Head hike9 min taxi2.9 km
- The Sea Point Promenade10 min taxi3.4 km
- Camps Bay & Clifton beaches14 min taxi4.6 km
- Camps Bay & Clifton (beach)14 min taxi4.7 km
- Robben Island42 min taxi14.0 km
- Boulders Beach penguins91 min taxi30.5 km
- Cape Point & the Cape of Good Hope146 min taxi48.6 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 1.Table Mountain — The flat-topped mountain that defines the city — ride the revolving cable car (or hike) to the 1,086m summit for a breathtaking panorama over the city, the peninsula and two oceans, often with cloud pouring over the edge like a 'tablecloth'. The unmissable icon of Cape Town; go on the first clear, wind-free morning, as the cable car closes in high wind.
- 7.Bo-Kaap — The historic Cape Malay quarter on the slopes of Signal Hill — steep cobbled streets of houses painted in vivid pinks, greens and blues, with a rich culture descended from the enslaved people brought from Southeast Asia. Beautiful and photogenic; wander respectfully (people live here), visit the little museum, and try a Cape Malay cooking class or curry.
- 9.Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden — One of the world's great botanical gardens, draped over the eastern foot of Table Mountain — sweeping lawns and indigenous fynbos, a treetop 'boomslang' canopy walkway with mountain views, and, in summer, hugely popular Sunday sunset concerts on the grass. Serene and gorgeous; a lovely half-day, best with a picnic.
- 13.Long Street — The nightlife spine of the City Bowl — a strip of Victorian buildings with wrought-iron balconies, housing bars, clubs, live-music venues, backpackers and late-night eats, buzzing till the small hours. Gritty and fun; bar-hop the balconies, catch some live music, and (as anywhere in the city at night) keep an eye on your things.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to City Bowl; flights via Google Flights.