This is the best hostel in Cape Town and I never wanna leave

This is the longest I’ve ever spent in one hostel (1 month) and the most times I’ve ever come back to one hostel (3x in the past 2 years) and honestly I NEVER WANT TO LEAVE!!!

Atlantic Point Backpackers is the best hostel in Cape Town for solo female travellers, digital nomads, adventurers of any ages, and everything in between. If you don’t believe me, believe the Hostelworld reviews that voted it the THIRD BEST hostel in AFRICA (like the CONTINENT). This place is the bomb and I am ‘bout to tell you why!

Before we dive in, bookmark this schiesse (I’m learning German here!) because here is a DISCOUNT CODE for you to book 15% off your stay! Just use the code KELLIE15 at checkout badabing badaboom I’ll probably still be here so see ya soon!

The people

Each time I’ve been here it’s been as a solo traveller, and each time I’ve been here I have met AWESOME people at Atlantic Point!!!

On this trip, I started out with such an amazing crew and then everyone left and I was alone for like a day and now I have another amazing crew. On my first time here in Dec. 2018, it was my first real solo travel experience and I actually wrote an article in Hostelling International called For me (and my parents), hostels are the safest way to travel. It’s about how the people I met at the hostel totally had my back and allowed me to feel comfortable and safe while I frolic around Cape Town, which in turn reassured my parents back home. The travellers are always awesome, the interns are always friendly, and the owner Tim is just the best ever!!!

Here’s a pic of my og AP crew that I posted on Insta back in 2018 (you’ll be getting spammed with my current AP crew throughout the rest of this post :D).

The perfect happy medium

Atlantic Point is nice, homey, clean, and comfy, but it’s not super fancy or boujee, which would hike its price up. It’s the perfect mix of being super affordable and approachable.

Most hostels skew to one extreme when it comes to partying vs chill slash boring. Atlantic Point has enough spaces (outdoor lounge area, bar, kitchen, coworking space, rooftop terrace) for you to find some peace and quiet if you need, but there is also usually a dece group of fun travellers who you can join if you want to be social.

Social atmosphere

This hostel is SO solo traveller friendly. As mentioned, there are tons of communal spaces to hang out with your fellow backpackers.

There are always interns and usually long-term travellers, meaning you already have people here who call the hostel home, are comfortable and familiar, and will welcome you with open arms. And a beer. Or wine. Anyway.

Beautiful outdoor space

I’m obsessed with this yard — it has a small pool for a refreshing dip, grassy and turf area to lay on the lounge chairs or beanbags. Lots of palm trees and greenery all around makes it feel like a perfect Cape Town oasis, this is where I am doing lots of my writing.

Free breakfast

Honestly, who doesn’t LOVE a free breakfast? There’s no eggs benny people, but there is always a variety to choose from including yogurt, fruit, granola, muffin, hard-boiled egg, toast, and cereal. Every backpacker knows free breakfast is a godsent.

Location:

Proximity to grocery store

Woolworths is a 1-minute walk away, I am obsessed with their little salads for like $3-4 CAD. The variety is amazing and they make a perfect lil dinner. Lots of travellers here buy groceries and cook in the communal kitchen at the hostel. There are also cheaper grocery stores a 10-min walk away at Pick n Pay in the waterfront or Spar down both sides of the main street.

Proximity to restaurants/coffee shops

Living my best digital nomad life here, I am loving hopping from cafe to cafe, and there’s a great selection right around the corner from Atlantic Point. I love the atmosphere/vibe at Bootlegger, and their Wi-Fi is unlimited so it’s the best spot for digital nomads. They have locations all around the city too if you want to switch up the location.

I’ve also worked from the health cafe nü (love the chicken roasted veggie wrap and strawberry swirl smoothie), Paris Cafe, Shift Espresso Bar, and Jason Bakery (just get all the bread here. So so good).

Proximity to V&A Waterfront

I think this is the most vibrant and safest part in Cape Town. Every time I touch down in Cape Town I check in at the hostel and just take the 10-minute stroll down to V&A Waterfront, the weather is perfect, South African performers are putting on a show, the market is bustling, and Table Mountain comes into view and everything in the world is just perfect. Ugh. The best feeling.

In-house bar

Not only does Atlantic Point have its own bar with a chill setting, super nice bartenders, and social seating area — plus super cheap drinks, a glass of white wine is $2.50 CAD and if you know me you know I am v into this — BUT it’s one of the only hostels I think I’ve ever been to that lets you bring in your own wine as well. This is coming from the girl who got her first boxed wine ever here this week.

Organized activities

Every day of the week, there are organized activities for anyone to join — some are public events put on in Cape Town (Asoka Tuesdays, Kirstenbosch outdoor concerts) and some are Atlantic Point-organized (braai night, beach day, beer pong, kayaking with dolphins, hike Lion’s Head). This is SO KEY for not only experiencing the city, but also meeting and bonding with your fellow travellers. There is even a Whatsapp group you can join that sends you the most adorable daily messages telling you what’s on for the day and just generally spreading positive vibes!

Co-working space

There are tables upstairs by the rooftop terrace for digi nomads who want a quiet space to do work! Also the Wi-Fi here is free and reliable (except for when the whole country cuts out its power, welcome to load shedding).

Comfortable, clean, cozy beds and sheets

I am beyond blessed to have spent most of my time in a private room here, which feels more like a hotel or my own private studio than a hostel. But even when I have stayed in the dorm beds, I am always so impressed by how clean and comfy they are — they have white sheets and blankets that feel like clouds. It’s the best.

OKAY BYE GUYS HAVE THE BEST TIME IN CAPE TOWN!!!!!! (As if it’s possible not to — you saw my post on why Cape Town is the best city in the world, right?) Don’t forget to use discount code KELLIE15 when booking!!!