In June, I spent a full month working and living at Cape Coliving in Cape Town. Over the years, I’d heard a lot of good things about the city and seen the stunning photos. Especially among digital nomads, Cape Town has become quite a popular destination over the last few years. It’s easy to see why coliving in Cape Town has become such a popular option. While most people visit the southern tip of Africa during the European summer months, I decided to visit it in late autumn instead. And honestly? Autumn and winter in Cape Town aren’t bad at all, especially if you’re used to northern European winters. In fact, there are lots of benefits visiting Cape Town during the off-season: fewer crowds, better prices, and a more relaxed vibe overall.
When I stay somewhere for a good amount of time, I usually choose to stay in coliving spaces. As a digital nomad, they’re the perfect space providing good internet, dedicated workspaces, and most importantly, a community of like-minded people you can share daily life, work struggles, and adventure with. This blogpost is all about my experience living at Cape Coliving and why, after a month, I can confidently say that it is the best coliving space for remote workers in Cape Town.
The best time to visit Cape Town
Most online travel guides and blogs will tell you that the best time to visit Cape Town is from December to March. During these summer months, temperatures typically range between 20°C and 30°C, with long sunny days and minimal rainfall. It’s the ideal time to be outdoors, do watersports like surfing or kayaking, and enjoy the vibrant energy of the city. This season also lines up perfectly with the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere, which a lot of people like to escape from.
But here is my advice: Consider coming in the off-season – April to July or September to November is actually a great time to experience Cape Town. Why? Because visiting outside of peak seasons means fewer crowds at iconic spots like Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, no long queues at weekend markets like Oranjezicht or Biscuit Mill, and more freedom to explore at your own pace. A lot of restaurants don’t need to be booked weeks in advance and often offer special winter menus. Accommodation – whether a guesthouse or an affordable coliving space in Cape Town for remote workers – is usually cheaper during this time too.
While there is a higher chance of cloudy and rainy days during the off-season, you can also get plenty of sunshine with temperatures around 20°C. This is the perfect weather for activities, hikes, and active outdoor adventures. Also: no intense sunburns, less sweating on the way up to Lion’s Head, and a magical atmosphere thanks to the low clouds over the mountains. Even the rainy days had their charm. Sometimes, curling up with a blanket and watching a movie gives a nice balance to all the activities.
Is Cape Town safe?
Before coming to Cape Town, safety was a big concern for me. So many people will tell you it’s a beautiful place, but they also tell you to be careful. All the precautions you read or hear about started to get into my head a bit. During the first few days, I wasn’t scared because something happened but I was just overly alert, almost expecting danger around every corner.
After spending over a month in Cape Town, I can honestly say that I felt safe throughout my stay. Of course, there are certain things I wouldn’t do, like walking alone at night as a woman or going to shady areas. These things do sound scary, especially when you compare it to places without security fences or walls, and where you can walk around at 3 am at night without thinking twice. But it’s just part of the reality there, and with time you adapt. Cape Coliving is located in Green Point, which is a safe, well-connected area close to shops and cafes.
South Africa has its challenges. There’s a noticeable contrast between neighbourhoods with luxurious villas and others where poverty is part of daily life. The unemployment rate is high, and crime is more common in townships. It’s not something to be afraid of, but it is something to be aware of when visiting Cape Town.
I felt safe, but would recommend to:
- avoid unfamiliar or deserted areas
- stay aware of your surroundings and trust your gut
- don’t show off valuables, it makes you a less interesting target
- avoid doing solo hikes unless it’s a popular trail
How to choose a coliving space in Cape Town
When choosing a coliving space, there are a few non-negotiables for me: a proper workspace, reliable Wi-Fi, and a relaxed, welcoming community. Especially as a digital nomad, I personally need more than just a comfortable apartment. I’m looking for an environment to live and work comfortably, while connecting with like-minded people.
Find out more about how to choose the right coliving!
When looking for colivings in Cape Town I always have a proper look at their website and Instagram profiles to get a sense of the vibe. Unfortunately, there quite a few places that call themselves colivings, but in reality, they’re more like serviced apartments. To me, a real coliving space should provide a comfortable space to live in and work from, and a community. Ticking off all these points, Cape Coliving became my first choice.
About Cape Coliving in Cape Town
Cape Coliving is run by Matt, the founder, along with his partner Dakota and the support of Feli. Matt is South African himself, which for me was a big plus. I really appreciate when there’s a local connection between the coliving host and the country they’re in. It adds much more depth and insights to the experience. It’s like they’re inviting you into their home country, sharing their perspective and genuine recommendations.
Location
Cape Coliving is located in Green Point, a suburb just south of Signal Hill. It is only a 20 minute walk to the V&A Waterfront, 5 minutes to Green Point Park, 10 minutes to the ocean, and 5 minutes to the nearest café or supermarket. If you’re looking for a coliving near Green Point, this is honestly one of the best spots you could choose.
It’s also close to Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, the city centre, and makes it super easy to escape to nature. The scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive can take you all the way to the Cape of Good Hope in under two hours. I could continue this list for ages, and you can probably already tell that Cape Town offers such a wide variety of activities.
How to get there
When coming from abroad, the easiest option is to fly directly into Cape Town International Airport. I flew with Condor from Frankfurt via Johannesburg, and since it was an overnight flight, it was quite comfortable. One major perk of coming to Cape Town during off-season is the flight prices: 580 Euros return! The flight time from Germany was around 15 hours – and the best thing? No jet lag, as Cape Town is in the same time zone as Germany.
Once you land, the easiest way to get to Cape Coliving from the airport is by taking an Uber. Uber is quite big in Cape Town and the main transport mode, unless you’re renting a car. Especially at night, it’s the safest and most convenient choice. The general advice is to avoid walking down empty streets and just call an Uber instead. It’s very affordable and can take you around Cape Town but also for day trips to places like the Cape of Good Hope or the vineyards near Stellenbosch. The Uber network in Cape Town is the best I’ve experienced so far.
The house
Cape Coliving is set in a beautiful, spacious 100-year-old Victorian house. It has 9 rooms – both single and double bedrooms. There’s also a small swimming pool, a large terrace with plenty of seating, and a rooftop area to catch scenic sunsets.
The kitchen setup is incredible – one of the most well-equipped coliving kitchens I’ve ever used: air fryer, coffee machine (great coffee!), two ovens, dishwasher, milk frother, blender, microwave, lots of fridge space, and a freezer. I’ve had the best time cooking there and didn’t miss a single thing. Small extras like the free coffee and tea available all day and a fruit basket added a nice, homey touch. Laundry can be done in the house for no extra charge.
The rooms
Cape Coliving Villa has 9 bedrooms, suitable for singles and couples. Every room comes with a desk and a private bathroom. The double rooms even have two desks – something I haven’t experienced in any other coliving space so far. Especially for couples, having two desks is pure luxury! The furniture is of great quality and helped me stay productive.
Each room at Cape Coliving has its own unique style and layout, so it’s best to have a look at your options before booking. Click here to see the rooms. My partner and I stayed in the Stadium Suite, which had its own balcony with views over the stadium and the ocean behind it. Weekly cleaning is included for all rooms.
In addition to the 9 rooms in the main house, Cape Coliving also offers a one-bedroom cottage just across the street. It includes a private kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and work/live area. It’s great for anyone looking for a bit more privacy while still being part of the community.
The workspace
In the lounge, there is a large communal table that some colivers use as a shared workspace. Some loved working together in the shared areas, while others preferred (or kind of had to due to calls) spending most of their work time in their rooms. It really depends on the vibe of the group. Personally, I loved working from my room because the desk setup and view was just beautiful. Each room is well-equipped and bright, which made working super comfortable.
The Wi-Fi connection worked during my entire stay with great speed, which is a key factor for any digital nomad in Cape Town. Cape Coliving is also prepared for occasional power cuts (also known as load shedding). Although we didn’t experience any while I was there, they are prepared!
Social life
One of the most important things for me when staying in a coliving is having a real community to share the experience with. Cape Coliving is definitely one of these truly social spaces.
Weekly activities
Every Monday, the community would come together to share weekly intentions and co-create a schedule full of activities that fit everyone’s schedules and needs. During my stay we had myself as a yoga teacher, and Ryon, a licensed local hiking guide. Our group was quite an active, health focused one, so our week often included hikes, yoga sessions, padel matches and surfing. For all of the activities you could join if you wanted to, but you could also opt out and focus on work. Wednesdays were for potluck lunches, where everyone would bring a dish to share. In June, Cape Coliving also hosted Entrepreneur Month, and every Thursday we had a roundtable where we shared business ideas, challenges, and gave each other feedback. For anyone working remotely or freelancing, that kind of space and support is priceless, as that kind of workstyle can sometimes get quite lonely.
Community experience guaranteed
As mentioned above, we had a special setup during June. I’m a yoga teacher and offered both Yin yoga (restorative and slow) and Vinyasa yoga (strengthening and energizing) classes for the coliving community. We were also joined by Ryon from Lekker Hike, a South African hiking guide who led us on amazing hikes like Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and Cecilia Forest. The combination of yoga and hiking gave our weeks a great balance.
That being said, Dakota and Matt put a lot of effort and thought into creating a full community experience. If you’re curious about what’s happening during your potential stay, just send them a message. Depending on the season, the focus might be entrepreneurship, surfing, hiking, or something totally different. They’re great at adapting the vibe to the community and season.
My time at Cape Coliving
Living and Working in Cape Town
Overall, I loved experiencing life in Cape Town through my stay at Cape Coliving. There’s something really special about staying somewhere for a full month rather than just a few days. You get to know the people, settle into a rhythm, observe everyday life, and feel like you’re part of the place.
I felt incredibly comfortable and at home at the house, providing everything I needed. Not only was my time at Cape Coliving super productive, but it was also active and health focused. As a yoga teacher, it was a joy to offer classes, watching everyone starting their day grounded and ready for work, or ending the weekend rested and balanced.
Most of my mornings started on the rooftop, either with my own yoga practice or teaching the community – followed by a wholesome breakfast before starting my work day. I’d take breaks either on the balcony, the terrace or with a walk through Green Point Park. Working in the same time zone as Germany was a huge plus too, it made it so much easier to stay productive and in sync with clients.
The community vibe during my stay was great. Everyone was on a similar wavelength. It was the perfect balance of being active together and having time for yourself. When people come together with the intention to make the most of life, great things can happen. Looking back, I truly loved my stay at Cape Coliving – and could definitely see myself coming back. Just to give you a glimpse into what our activities would look like:
- Padel matches
- Reformer Pilates sessions
- Guided hikes
- Yoga classes
- Weekly potluck lunches
- Surfing
- Visiting weekend markets
- Exploring different restaurants
- A day trip to Robben Island
- Going to a jazz bar
- A day trip to the penguins at Boulders Beach and the Cape of Good Hope
Personal highlights
Coffeeshops in the area
One of my highlights were the coffeeshops around Green Point. That being said, I also really liked the coffee at the coliving. My coffee standards are quite high – I don’t drink coffee for the caffeine, but as a little daily treat. So for me, good coffee means good taste and frothed milk. Cape Coliving totally delivered on that, which meant I went out for coffee runs far less than I normally would (decisions were tough!).
For a change of scenery, I loved visiting Burnt, which is only a 5 minute walk from Cape Coliving. The coffeeshop offers some food and a nice atmosphere to work from for an hour or two. It’s one of those places that doesn’t get too busy, with comfy chairs and a relaxed vibe. Another favourite was Strangers Club, which has more of a slow, cozy feel.
Active lifestyle: Hikes, yoga, surfing
What really made the time in Cape Town memorable were all the activities and seeing so much of its natural beauty. To me, Cape Town is such a special place, because of the nature: ocean, mountains, vineyards all come together in one beautiful setting. Just driving around the city leaves you speechless.
We did sunrise hikes with Lekker Hike to Lion’s Head and Table Mountain, went surfing in Muizenberg, played Padel (with professional coaching!), and joined Reformer Pilates. I also gave yoga lessons a few mornings and evenings each week. It was the perfect mix of work, relaxation and activity – exactly what I look for when choosing a coliving space as a digital nomad.
Inspiration for your own projects
Every time I stay in a coliving space, I gain new inspiration for my own (professional) life. I don’t think I’d even write this blogpost, if it wasn’t for the first coliving I visited! Due to June being the Entrepreneur month at Cape Coliving, we discussed our business ideas, struggles every week, and came up with an action plan. I’ve never really seen myself as an entrepreneur, but honestly, attending these sessions filled me with inspiration. Listening to others’ projects and sharing my own experiences was very rewarding. It’s that kind of supportive, creative environment that makes Cape Coliving one of the best coliving spaces in Cape Town for digital nomads and remote workers looking to grow both personally and professionally.
Markets and food options
Cape Town is not only great for outdoor activities, i’s also an amazing food destination. There are so many restaurants, that choosing where to eat becomes a challenge! One of my favourites were the weekend markets! The Oranjezicht Market is one of the most popular and is located just behind the stadium. It’s only a 25 minute walk from Cape Coliving. The market has amazing food stalls, offering dishes from all over the world. I’ve had the best time eating in Cape Town really. For the vegetarians and vegans in Cape Town: It’s meat-heavy country, but you will still have quite a good variety to choose from!
Advice for your stay
Stay at least 4 weeks
During summer, there is a minimum stay of 4 weeks, but even if you come in the other seasons, I’d still recommend staying at least that long. It usually takes about a week to fully arrive and settle in, another week to really connect, and you’ll definitely want more time to see most of Cape Town and its surroundings. It’s a long flight, an amazing city with lots of opportunities and therefore – if you can – you should even stay for longer. I did make the mistake again to only book 4 weeks, but would want to come back for longer.
Bring an adapter
If you are coming from Europe, make sure to pack a travel adapter. The coliving has both European plugs and adapters available, but sometimes you need the British-style plug. In some cases you need a South African adapter, but I’d actually recommend buying that one in Cape Town, since I’d never seen that type of plug before.
Get a Sim Card
Right when I arrived at Cape Town International Aiport, I bought a Vodacom SIM Card (around 10 Euros for a month). You will need internet to use Uber and the Checkers app.
Download Checkers Sixty60
Just a 5 minute walk from Cape Coliving, there is a well-equipped supermarket with all the things you need. If you ever need to do a bigger shop, want to order something specific, or are simply too lazy to leave the house, you can use Checkers Sixty60. It’s a local grocery delivery app where you add your items, pay online, and in most of the cases, your groceries arrive right at your door within 30 minutes. It’s not expensive at all – sometimes even cheaper than at the actual supermarket! To use the app, you’ll need a South African phone number which is what makes the SIM Card really worth it.
Download Uber
As Uber is the main and most convenient transport mode in Cape Town, it’s a good idea to make sure your account is fully set up before you arrive. You’ll need it right after landing at Cape Town International Airport, so having it all sorted out will save you time and stress.
Get some cash for tips
Do you need cash in Cape Town? Not really! It’s really well set up when it comes to card payments as well as tap & pay. However, it’s still a good idea to carry a little bit of cash with you, especially if you’d like to tip local artists, street performers, or market vendors. To put things into perspective: the minimum wage in South Africa is around €1.40 per hour. So if you’re in a position to leave a tip, it can make a difference for someone.
Come with an open mindset
Cape Town is a very well-developed city and reminded me a lot of Sydney and the Aussie lifestyle. In many ways, you forget that you’re in Africa (at least, if your idea of Africa comes from the usual stereotypes we sometimes grow up with). But that’s exactly why I think it’s important to arrive with an open and curious mind. Take some time to learn a little about South Africa’s history, take a day trip to Robben Island (a former prison island), read up on the country’s social and economic challenges, and try to understand the context behind what you see. Visiting a country this way makes the experience deeper for you, but also for the people you meet.
Summing up, I had the best time at Cape Coliving in Cape Town and would like to return one day! I would recommend this place to any of my digital nomad friends – so if you are a digital nomad, this might be the right fit. A huge thank you to Dakota, Feli and Matt for being the best hosts and making me feel at home.
Disclaimer: This is an independent review, all based on my personal experience.
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My previous coliving experiences
You want to explore other colivings around the world? Check my recent experiences below.
