Camps Bay is the most famous beach suburb on Cape Town's Atlantic Seaboard, and for many visitors it is the postcard they came for: a wide white-sand beach, a palm-lined strip of restaurants and cocktail bars, and the jagged peaks of the Twelve Apostles rising straight up behind it. If you want beaches, sunsets and energy all within walking distance, this is where to stay in Cape Town. Here is everything you need to know.
Why stay in Camps Bay
Camps Bay packs the best of a Cape Town holiday into a few walkable blocks. The beach is the centrepiece, soft sand, palm trees and four small tidal pools for cooler dips, with the mountains as a backdrop. Directly across the road, the strip is lined with restaurants, sushi bars, gelato spots and cocktail lounges that fill up at sunset and stay busy late into the evening through summer. You can spend a whole day here without ever getting in a car.
It is glamorous without being stuffy, and it suits almost everyone: couples after a romantic base, families who want the beach on their doorstep, and groups looking for somewhere lively. It is also one of the best places in the city to watch the sun drop into the Atlantic, ideally with a drink in hand.
The beach and the ocean
Camps Bay beach is glorious to look at and to lie on, though the Atlantic here is genuinely cold, this is the chilly side of the Cape, so it is more a place for paddling, sunbathing and people-watching than long swims. The tidal pools at the southern end are a little warmer and good for children. The southeaster wind can pick up on summer afternoons, so mornings are often the calmest time on the sand.
Where to eat and drink
The Camps Bay strip is one of the densest restaurant rows in Cape Town. You will find everything from fresh seafood and sushi to wood-fired pizza, steakhouses and upscale dining, plus relaxed cafes for breakfast and coffee. Sunset cocktails on the strip are practically a local ritual. Just beyond the beachfront, quieter spots tucked up the hill offer the same views with fewer crowds.
Things to do nearby
- Table Mountain. The cableway is a short drive away, and the views back over Camps Bay are extraordinary.
- Lion's Head. One of the city's best hikes, especially at sunrise, sunset or full moon.
- The Twelve Apostles trails rise directly behind the suburb for walks of every level.
- Clifton's beaches are a five-minute drive north for sheltered swimming.
- The V&A Waterfront and city centre are around fifteen to twenty minutes away.
Who Camps Bay suits
Stay in Camps Bay if you want to be in the middle of the action, with the beach, restaurants and sunsets all on foot. It is ideal for first-time visitors, social travellers and families. If you would prefer somewhere quieter or more secluded, neighbouring Clifton or Bantry Bay may suit you better, both just minutes away.
Veida Properties manages a hand-picked collection of Camps Bay homes, from designer apartments to flagship villas with pools and ocean views. Browse our current Atlantic Seaboard stays for live availability and direct booking.
Camps Bay FAQs
Is Camps Bay good for families?
Yes. The beach, tidal pools and walkable restaurants make it easy with children, and many homes are family-sized with pools.
Can you swim at Camps Bay beach?
You can, but the Atlantic is cold year-round. Most visitors paddle and sunbathe rather than swim for long. The tidal pools are gentler.
How far is Camps Bay from the airport?
Roughly thirty to forty minutes by car, depending on traffic.
