Property

Foreign buyers flocking to Cape Town property hotspot

Kirsten Minnaar • 2 August 2026

Sea Point has become one of South Africa’s top property hotspots for foreign buyers, with the suburb recording the highest number of international property purchases in Cape Town over the past decade.

Situated between Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean, Sea Point is considered one of Cape Town’s most sought-after suburbs.

The area offers a mix of convenience and coastal living and is known for its beachfront promenade, high-rise apartments, and vibrant lifestyle.

Originally developed as a seaside resort, Sea Point has grown into one of Cape Town’s busiest residential neighbourhoods. Even so, it retains much of its historic character.

One of Sea Point’s biggest attractions is its location. Residents are only a few minutes from the Cape Town CBD, the V&A Waterfront, and some of the city’s most popular beaches.

The suburb is also well connected to major transport routes, while Cape Town International Airport is a 25-minute drive away.

The suburb features a blend of modern apartment buildings, Art Deco architecture, and older Victorian homes, which attract a variety of buyers.

Sea Point offers a wide range of amenities within walking distance. Shopping options include The Point Mall and numerous boutiques, cafés, and convenience stores along Main Road.

The suburb is home to well-known restaurants, coffee shops, and markets, making it one of Cape Town’s most active dining destinations.

Families have access to schools such as Sea Point Primary School and Sea Point High School, while nearby healthcare facilities include Sea Point Medical Centre and Mediclinic Cape Town.

Sea Point’s central location makes it popular with professionals working in the city, families, retirees, and property investors.

Outdoor living is a major attraction for the area. The Sea Point Promenade is popular for walking, running, and cycling.

The Sea Point Pavilion also offers swimming pools, while Green Point Urban Park provides recreation for residents of all ages.

Sea Point leads foreign buying in South Africa

While foreign buyers account for only a small share of South Africa’s residential property market, they play a much bigger role in the country’s premium suburbs.

According to a report by Lightstone, foreign buyers accounted for 6% of residential transactions between 2016 and 2025.

However, they accounted for 15% of purchases valued between R4 million and R10 million, rising to 39% for homes worth more than R20 million.

Sea Point has emerged as one of the country’s biggest hotspots for international buyers. Over the past decade, it recorded 1,118 foreign-buyer transactions – the highest number in Cape Town.

Unlike neighbouring suburbs such as Clifton, Bantry Bay, and Llandudno, where luxury homes often sell for tens of millions of rand, Sea Point appeals to a broader range of overseas buyers.

Lightstone found that the average property purchased by a foreign buyer in the suburb was worth R5.4 million. This makes it more accessible while still offering the lifestyle and location many international buyers seek.

Sea Point benefits from its central location. Residents are within minutes of the Cape Town CBD, the V&A Waterfront, and some of the city’s most popular beaches.

Combined with its restaurants, cafés, promenade, and strong rental market, the suburb has become particularly attractive to buyers looking for holiday homes, investment properties, or a permanent coastal residence.

The suburb forms part of the Atlantic Seaboard, which is one of South Africa’s strongest foreign investment corridors.

Neighbouring areas such as Camps Bay, Bakoven, and Llandudno have some of the highest concentrations of foreign buyers in the country. In these suburbs, international purchasers account for close to half of all sales.

While foreign investment extends beyond the Western Cape, including parts of Gauteng and Limpopo, Cape Town remains the country’s largest destination by value.

Lightstone estimates that foreign buyers acquired around R153 billion worth of property in Cape Town between 2016 and 2025, underlining the city’s enduring appeal among international investors.