Cape Town

As of May 2026, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Knysna have 13,441 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 4% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Cape Town generates R437K per year. High-performing properties earn R1.4M/year, while low-performing properties earn R170K/year. This massive earnings spread suggests that market rewards are highly concentrated, indicating that returns are less about general market conditions and more about specific asset positioning within the ecosystem.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Cape Town. Average annual revenue is R437K with 43% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to R1.4M/year. The 43% occupancy rate alongside the revenue ceiling highlights a challenging environment where asset utilization is a primary constraint on maximizing potential income.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Cape Town is 43%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of R3K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of R826 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Cape Town, with annual revenue of R1.2M. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Cape Town market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Cape Town area. Cape Town: Moderate. Business registration, zoning clearance, rates clearance certificate required. Enforcement varies by neighborhood, stricter in residential areas. Stellenbosch: Moderate. Municipal approval and business license needed. Some enforcement in historic areas, less consistent elsewhere. Hermanus: Lenient. Basic business registration recommended. Minimal active enforcement, many operate informally. Knysna: Lenient. Municipal registration advised but not strictly required. Light enforcement, hosts commonly operate without formal permits. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Cape Town Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 4% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 8%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The contraction in both supply and revenue suggests a period of market adjustment where the reduction in inventory has not yet offset the dip in per-listing performance.

Launch around September, 2-3 months before peak winter season (December peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 15% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (July-June) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Cape Town listings include: Kitchen (98%), Tv (90%), Washing Machine (74%), Balcony (64%), Heating (61%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Pool, Hot Tub, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 85% more (R676K/year vs R365K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Cape Town over the last 12 months: May: R13K, June: R11K, July: R14K, August: R17K, September: R16K, October: R23K, November: R23K, December: R42K, January: R37K, February: R37K, March: R36K, April: R31K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Cape Town is R3K, up 19% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average R2K/night, 2-bedroom properties average R3K/night, 3-bedroom properties average R5K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average R11K/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in June.

Guests in Cape Town book an average of 29 days in advance, down 17% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 26 days, 2-bedroom: 31 days, 3-bedroom: 35 days, 4+ bedroom: 38 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Cape Town Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 4%, revenue per listing decreased 8%, occupancy fell 11%, average nightly rates increased 19%, and lead time decreased 17%. These metrics signal a shift toward shorter booking windows and pricing volatility, complicating revenue forecasting despite the slight reduction in inventory.

In Cape Town, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 13% higher occupancy than weekdays.