Cape Town is one of the hottest cities to live up the digital nomad lifestyle! With music festivals, cultural events, award-winning wine and the beach on your doorstep, why not set up your remote work office in sunny South Africa!
This travel guide to Cape Town is especially made for digital nomads! Here you can find helpful information about the top things to see and do in Cape Town, how to get around, the cost of living, the best coworking spots for digital nomads and tips on where to eat, meetup and have adventures!
Nicknamed the ‘‘Mother City’’ - Cape Town is the largest city in South Africa with a population of over 3,4 million inhabitants and an area of 2446km. The city is a hive of activity! Here are a few of our top picks of things to see in Cape Town.
This popular tourist spot is the most iconic landmark in South Africa. There are two ways to summit Table mountain, either by cable car or by foot. You can also hike up and take the cable car down while you admire the view over the city.
Take a scenic road trip on the Atlantic coast between Noordhoek and Hout Bay on the Chapman’s Peak drive. See the Twelve Apostles mountain range, stop at lookout points and follow the hiking trail up to Chapman’s Peak.
Known as one of the greatest botanical gardens in the world, it really is a natural wonder to visit. Wander along the raised wooden walkways and look over the tree canopy. See plants native to South Africa like the protea, fynbos and cycads. There is a Braille Trail for blind visitors to feel the trees and plants.
This island was once used to keep prisoners since the 17th century, Nelson Mandela was an inmate there during Apartheid. You can get to Robben Island by ferry and explore the prison which is now a museum.
As a digital nomad, you have the freedom to work and travel anywhere. There is more to remote work than sitting at a computer all day. Make the most of being somewhere new and try the local activities!
The V&A Waterfront is a great place to shop, eat and work with a sea view! Located on the harbor, here you find a ferris wheel, boat cruises, aquarium and other attractions.
The southern African coastline is home to a variety of marine life! Visit the Two Oceans Aquarium to meet sea creatures big and small, like the tiny Knysna seahorse or a ragged-tooth shark! Did you know that the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet on the coast of South Africa? That’s how the aquarium got its name!
This 5 km hike can take two to three hours and rewards you with a spectacular view over the city! Go in the early morning hours to catch the sunrise, or midday to hear the firing of the Noon Gun on Signal Hill - one of Cape Town’s oldest traditions! Locals prefer to take a sunset hike and gaze over the city lights in the evening.
There are plenty of amazing events happening in Cape Town, such as open markets, meetups at Greenpoint Park, yoga session, running clubs, festivals and an outdoor cinema at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
If you’re thinking of moving to Cape Town or staying for several months, it is important to consider how much you should budget for your trip. Here is an overview of the general living costs in Cape Town.
Living expenses in South Africa - Average cost / Month
Rent (1 bedroom studio) ~ €320 to €580
Living expenses (1 person) ~ €1000
Living costs incl. rent (family of 4) ~ €1750 to €2400
CoWorking Space (1 person) ~ €149
Plane
The major international airport is Cape Town Airport (CPT). It offers connections to other cities around South Africa that would save you time compared to driving.
Bus
The MyCiti bus takes you all around Cape Town, from the airport to the city center and outskirts. The city Sightseeing bus is another way to explore the city and hop on and off as you like.
Car
You can hire a car at the airport or at depots around the city. Be careful of ‘smash and grabs’ as tourists are an easy target. Always lock the car doors and don’t leave any valuable items visible on the car seats or make it very obvious that you are a tourist.
Taxi / Ridesharing
There are many metered taxis that can usually be found at main attractions and the airport. Uber and Bolt are easy and affordable ridesharing apps used in South Africa.
While you can easily rent a nice villa in Cape Town or work in cafes with free WiFi access, there are also some amazing CoWorking spots for you to check out! With 52 coworking spaces distributed around the city, you’ll have plenty of options!
Here are a few of the top spots to CoWork in Cape Town!
For around 16 euros per day per person, you can save yourself a spot at this amazing coworking space on the V&A Waterfront. Stay energized as you work in this spacious and light work space which also has convenient facilities and areas for workshops, meetings and events. There is another Workshop17 on Kloof Street and several in Johannesburg.
Spaces is a welcoming coworking space in Century City with modern interiors and a calm atmosphere. The office building is conveniently located with public transport stops nearby.
Located in the heart of Cape Town in the bustling central business district (CBD), Seedspace is a cozy alternative for digital nomads. With wooden floors, beautiful big windows and tasteful design, this space feels like home rather than an office. Oooh! And there’s a great coffee and bagel place just around the street corner.
With three locations around the city, the Cube Workspaces are secure and offer high-speed Wi-Fi. Meet a diverse crew of professional freelancers, startups and entrepreneurs as you sip espresso in the cozy cafe and lounge area on your break.
Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Paarl boast fantastic wines that are well worth trying. For an immersive experience, take a day trip outside of Cape Town city and tour a vineyard! Here are a few wine estates that are highly recommended - Groot Constantia Trust, Beau Constantia and Lourensford.
Influenced by Malaysian cooking heritage, the best places to indulge in this soul food are Bo-Kaap Kombuis, Against The Grains, and Gold Restaurant in Cape Town.
Mojo Market - open everyday from 8am to midnight
V&A Food Market - open everyday from 10am to 7pm
Oranjezicht City Farm Market - open on weekends from 9am to 2pm
NeighbourGoods - open from 9am on Saturdays and 10am on Sundays to 4pm
Check out these useful tips to help you prepare for your remote work and travel experience in Cape Town.
Prepare for 'Load Shedding'
Power cuts in South Africa are a daily issue. This is a common challenge for digital nomads when electricity suddenly switches off for several hours without warning or information about how long the power outage, known as ‘load shedding’ will last.
Tip! Get a UPS for your router to keep your connection running during power cuts.
Helpful Apps to Download in Cape Town
EskomSePush - For reliable updates on planned load shedding times nationwide.
City of Cape Town - Detailed info about load shedding in each locality.
AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run - Tips for hiking, biking, backpacking and running trails.
Put your safety first
Try to be aware of your surroundings in a new country. Don’t leave your backpack, phone or laptop somewhere unattended. Always keep your drink close to you at clubs or bars. Don’t walk home alone at night, rather take a taxi or uber.
Visa Requirements
A visa is not required for UK and European citizens for short-term tourist trips to South Africa. Upon presentation of your return flight ticket you will be granted a 90-day visit permit. If you book a long term trip, you will need a visa from your nearest South African embassy.
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