From the sun-kissed sands of Clifton 3rd Beach to the lively streets of De Waterkant, the Cape Town offers the perfect escape for gay travellers seeking adventure, culture, and connection.
The gay scene is small when compared to other world cities, however this makes it all the more intimate. Local gay South Africans mix and mingle with tourists across the city and it’s easy to bump into old friends on the beach or meet new ones at the bar.
Cape Town promises memorable experiences at every turn. Explore our travel guide and discover the best places to stay and play. Your next incredible journey begins now.
Cape Town Rainbow Crossing
Super views, sexy boys, Cape Town is the perfect beach-city escape.
Greater Cape Town is a massive area, but most visitors stay close to the city centre, north and west of the imposing Table Mountain. The most popular districts with gay visitors are De Waterkant and Green Point.
From luxury hotels to charming guest houses and apartments, discover our top recommendations.
O’Two Hotel – “Travel Proud” certified with a perfect location.
Cape Town offers gay visitors a variety of options to suit all budgets and preferences. Here’s out top choices based on our last visit:
Cape Town is such a chill city with a fun-loving vibe! You’ll find a buzzing nightlife filled with spots for dancing and meeting new friends, fabulous cabaret shows and cosy coffee shops.
You can easily find Cape Town’s LGBT-friendly venues marked on street maps at the tourist info kiosks, and you’ll see the colourful rainbow flag proudly waving from many businesses around the city.
Somerset Road, fondly known as ‘The Strip,’ runs through Green Point and De Waterkant. This lively stretch is home to the most popular LGBTQ-friendly spots and gay bars in Cape Town, keeping the energy high well into the early hours!
There is a variety of gay bars and clubs, which, like most cities, are particularly busy on weekends and during the peak season, when many “upcountry” citizens come down to Cape Town for their vacation.
Most of the bars have small dance floors and get busy early in the evening. If you are looking for a more mixed experience, avoid Long Street and head up Kloof Street, which has a great selection of bars and restaurants.
People tend to dine early in Cape Town, with 8 pm being the normal time for evening meals. The bars get busy from 10 pm on weekdays and later at the weekends. Many bars are open until 4 am at weekends, so it’s a city that likes to party long and hard!
De Waterkant – The city’s gay district complete with pink road markings.
Here are some of our favourite LGBTQ-friendly venues and gay bars in Cape Town:
Address: Quay, 6 W Quay Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
Address: Convention Square, Lower Long St, Cape Town City Centre
Address: 40 Chiappini St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001
Address: Moorings 5 & Portswood Ridge, 5 Portswood Rd
Address: 10 Hospital Street Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Address: 32 Prestwich StreetCape Town, 8001, South Africa
Address: 23 Jarvis StreetGreen Point, Cape Town, 8051
Address: 137 Waterkant StreetCape Town, 8001,South Africa
Address: Victoria Rd, Clifton, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
Address: Fulham Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
Address: 84 Camps Bay Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040
Address: 23 Geneva Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa
Address: 74 Waterkant Street,Cape Town, 8001,South Africa
Address: 120 Strand St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Address: 55 Prestwich St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Address: 46 Canterbury St, District Six, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Address: 12 Cobern St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Address: 299 Lower Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Address: 123 Lower Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925
Enjoy everything from a delicious coffee to a long lazy brunch at our faourite Cape Town eateries.
Cape Town has a small but constantly changing gay scene as well as some stand-out annual events.
Buddies hosts a series of pop-up events and street parties throughout the year.
International Visitors enjoying the Cape Town pride festival.
The Cape Town Pride Festival is the highlight of LGBTQ+ celebrations in the city, usually held in late February or early March. The festival is held over a month with a wide range of activities and events, such as:
Cape Town has it all, the perfect mix of sand, sea and rugged mountain views. Add in a unique historical district together with a vibrant and rich culture and you have everything you need to an extraordinary visit. PS, did we mention wine?
Cape Town’s appeal lies in its year-round charm, but when you visit can shape your experience. Here’s our guide to the different seasons to visit:
If your main goal is to experience Cape Town’s LGBTQ+ culture at its peak, aim for:
For those seeking a more relaxed visit, the shoulder seasons (autumn and spring) strike the right balance of affordability, weather, and activity.
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking
We have chosen hotels in Cape Town that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
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