Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Cape Town? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Cape Town:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Cape Town?
The short-term rental market in Cape Town shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $1,420 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $2,602 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $4,948+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $678
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Cape Town
The market in Cape Town shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 48% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 74% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 89%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 23%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Cape Town
Daily rates in Cape Town vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $89 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $169 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $351+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $55
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Cape Town
Peak Season (December, January, November)
- Revenue peaks at $3557.08 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 59.93%
- Daily rates average $215.40
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2357.68 per month
- Occupancy maintains 48.70%
- Daily rates hold at $171.31
Low Season (June, August, July)
- Revenue drops to $1539.08 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 35.43%
- Daily rates adjust to $153.59
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Cape Town in 2025?
Yes! Cape Town demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 49% and solid monthly revenue averaging $2358 and As a mature market with 11413 active listings, there's strong demand despite the competition. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (families on vacation, festival goers, adventure tourists, international visitors)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Cape Town
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Camps Bay | Famous for its beautiful beach and stunning mountain backdrop, Camps Bay is a prime destination for tourists looking for luxury and relaxation. The beachfront promenade offers an array of restaurants and bars, making it a perfect location for hosting. | Camps Bay Beach, Table Mountain, Victoria Road restaurants, Clifton Beaches, Lion's Head |
| V&A Waterfront | The V&A Waterfront is a bustling hub of activity, shopping, and dining. It attracts both tourists and locals alike, making it an ideal spot for Airbnb hosts looking to capitalize on foot traffic. | Two Oceans Aquarium, Zeitz MOCAA, Waterfront Shopping Centre, V&A Waterfront Clock Tower, Table Mountain Aerial Cableway |
| City Bowl | The City Bowl area is the heart of Cape Town, offering easy access to attractions, cultural activities, and a vibrant nightlife. It appeals to both business travelers and tourists. | Company's Garden, Cape Town International Convention Centre, Long Street, Bo-Kaap, Table Mountain |
| Constantia | Known for its wine estates and beautiful scenery, Constantia offers a peaceful retreat while still being close to the city. Ideal for travelers looking for a relaxing escape. | Constantia Wine Route, Klein Constantia, Tokai Forest, Steenberg Estate, The Constantia Village |
| Hout Bay | A picturesque seaside suburb that blends natural beauty with local charm. Hout Bay is popular with nature lovers and family travelers, offering a range of outdoor activities. | Hout Bay Beach, Chapman's Peak Drive, World of Birds, Seal Island, Hout Bay Market |
| Bo-Kaap | Renowned for its colorful Cape Malay houses and rich cultural heritage, Bo-Kaap attracts visitors interested in history and photography. It provides a unique Airbnb experience. | Bo-Kaap Museum, Atlas Studios, Cape Malay Culture, Signal Hill, Colourful houses |
| Simon’s Town | A charming seaside town along the False Bay coast, Simon's Town is known for its naval history and penguin colony. Ideal for families and nature enthusiasts. | Boulders Beach, Simon's Town Museum, Cape Point, Penguin Colony, Historic architecture |
| Durbanville | A tranquil suburb surrounded by vineyards, Durbanville is appealing for visitors seeking wine tours and outdoor activities, while still being close to Cape Town. | Durbanville Wine Route, Tygerberg Nature Reserve, Bougainvillea Gardens, Durbanville Golf Club, The Village Market |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Cape Town?
We recommend checking directly with Cape Town's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (0% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Cape Town
Two Views - Gorgeous 8 Bedroom Villa in Camps Bay
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Serenity 18 Ronald Road Camps Bay (Views & Solar)
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
008 Villa
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Camps Bay Panoramic-Solar backup,17m Infinity Pool
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Luxury Villa @ 47HH
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Hot tub! Heated pool! Fully serviced! Inverter!
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Cape Town
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nox | 128 | $8,171,605 | 3864 | 4.22/5.0 |
| Turnkey365 | 53 | $5,308,450 | 938 | 4.22/5.0 |
| Jayson | 92 | $2,843,717 | 8330 | 4.85/5.0 |
| Esta-Marita | 19 | $2,621,746 | 1019 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Lavinia | 19 | $2,334,783 | 330 | 3.36/5.0 |
| Rest Easy | 47 | $2,211,505 | 1229 | 4.45/5.0 |
| Lance | 57 | $1,793,948 | 5280 | 4.80/5.0 |
| Nicholas Sadleir | 28 | $1,772,296 | 978 | 4.66/5.0 |
| Janine & Rachel | 33 | $1,665,127 | 1332 | 4.78/5.0 |
| Albertus | 53 | $1,648,031 | 4076 | 4.82/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Cape Town
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (88.1%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 89.1% of inventory
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (0.4% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 11,413 properties in Cape Town shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 42.5% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 67.9% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (42.5%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (3.5%)
- Market concentration: 67.9% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 11,413 properties in Cape Town reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 43.2% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.4 guests, with a clear trend towards smaller guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 66.9% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (43.2% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (0.9% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.4 guests per property
- Market concentration: 66.9% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly smaller guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 11,413 properties in Cape Town, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (40.1% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (27.5% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (40.1%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (27.5%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 67.4%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 34.1%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
1481 listings
14.3% of total
2 Nights
3391 listings
32.7% of total
3 Nights
1650 listings
15.9% of total
4-6 Nights
1963 listings
18.9% of total
7-29 Nights
814 listings
7.8% of total
30+ Nights
1072 listings
10.3% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 47.0%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 18.9% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (10.3%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 62.9% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Non-refundable
210 listings
2.2% of total
Refundable
198 listings
2% of total
Super Strict 95 Days
2 listings
0% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
212 listings
2.2% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
139 listings
1.4% of total
Flexible
1208 listings
12.5% of total
Moderate
2054 listings
21.2% of total
Firm
2561 listings
26.5% of total
Strict
3090 listings
31.9% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 31.9% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (33.7%) and strict (58.4%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Super Strict 95 Days policies are least common at 0.0% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Strict policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jan, Dec, Nov, averaging 77 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Jul, Jun, Aug, averaging 41 days
- Winter shows the longest average booking window at 77 days, while Summer has the shortest at 41 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Winter bookings at least 77 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Summer to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Jul-Aug when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Cape Town
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Cape Town:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 41.6% of total guests, indicating a significant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United Kingdom (14.8%) and United States (13%)
- English is the top language at 63.5%, followed by Afrikaans (11.1%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 3.9%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Cape Town and Johannesburg markets
- Develop localized content for United Kingdom and United States
- Prioritize English and Afrikaans language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Cape Town. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stellenbosch Local Municipality | 1,189 | $1,743 | $162.80 | 45% |
| Hout Bay | 460 | $1,551 | $173.66 | 42% |
| Noordhoek | 203 | $1,548 | $196.88 | 41% |
| Witzenberg Local Municipality | 233 | $1,371 | $117.92 | 37% |
| Sir Lowry's Pass | 15 | $1,342 | $157.91 | 32% |
| Simon's Town | 254 | $1,255 | $122.05 | 42% |
| Overstrand Local Municipality | 1,818 | $1,178 | $153.21 | 34% |
| Pine Haven | 13 | $1,129 | $114.59 | 38% |
| Drakenstein Local Municipality | 419 | $1,057 | $130.60 | 34% |
| Saldanha Bay Local Municipality | 1,171 | $1,043 | $132.13 | 32% |
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