Last Updated: July 22, 2022
Is Cape Town Safe? Top Safety Tips For Travelers
If you are thinking about booking a flight to Cape Town international airport, then you have probably been wondering about safety in Cape Town. While visiting Cape Town is a magical experience with its amazing wild animals plus Table Mountain and Lion’s Head are just some of the great sites to see, but it is a dangerous city.
The African continent is generally not as safe as other continents like Europe and Asia and having grown up in Africa, I have to tell you that South Africa in particular is a lot less safe than other countries in Africa like Kenya.
But this doesn’t mean that visiting Cape Town, South Africa isn’t safe, it just means you have to know how to act which is what we are going to go through in this article. Join me as we run through everything you need to know to experience Cape Town in a safe way.
Table Of Contents
Show All
Is Cape Town Safe To Visit?
Cape Town is the most popular city in South Africa receiving around 3 million visitors a year and this is despite it being the most dangerous city in South Africa, ahead of Johannesburg.
The dangers are expressed through the high crime rates as it has the highest recorded violent crime statistics in South Africa. Murder, robberies, and non-violent crimes are rife in Cape Town but these crimes affect many locals and tourists don’t tend to get mixed up in them.
The crime stats show that tourists usually fall victim to non-violent crime in the form of scams and petty theft.
Crime Acts Tourists Should Look Out For
- Police impersonation
- Petty theft
- Pickpockets
- Beggars
- ATM Ambushes
- Credit Card Theft
- Tour Guide Scams
- Apartment Scams
The general Western Cape region of South Africa, or the Western Cape Province is still highly popular as Cape Town is a beautiful city filled with amazing views, beaches, and a ton of natural beauty.
There are parts of this extremely cool city that are safe such as Cape Town’s city center, business districts, malls, and tourist areas since they all have a lot of security. When spending time in these areas you will be very safe.
The area of Cape Town that sees the most crime is called the Cape Flats, one of Cape Town’s townships that sits to the south of the Central Business District. This part of Cape Town is known as “the apartheid dumping ground” and the Cape Flats exist due to extreme poverty and governmental neglect. It is run by gangs and if you go in there, you won’t be coming out.
While you have townships on the one side, you also have multimillion-dollar mansions on the other which makes this a big city a little strange. The poverty gap in this large city is extremely obvious although it seems like it is trying to be hidden.
Overall, Cape Town is not a safe city but if you are sensible and stick to the right parts of Cape Town safe for tourists, you will have a spectacular trip. You do need to be cautious though as everyone I know who has spent 3 months or more in Cape Town has been a victim of a crime.
Is Cape Town Safe At Night?
Cape Town is generally unsafe and it gets worse at night but it does have an awesome nightlife scene so you are going to want to go out and experience it at night, at least once. There is live music and DJs, and you can party from when the city’s epic sunsets start until the sun rises again in the morning.
There are some rules to follow when you go out at night in Cape Town which include only going to the safest areas and not walking anywhere if you can avoid it. Even if you are in a part of town safe for tourists you should be wary and not go down any dark alleys or side streets.
When going out at night, make sure to take a taxi that is trusted or comes through an app. Asking your hotel or hostel for a taxi is always a good idea and using Uber is also safe.
You should also try and go out with a group of friends if you can and travel together to a safe venue in a safe part of town as this is the safest way to go out in Cape Town.
Is Cape Town Safe For Solo Female Travelers?
Female solo travelers generally have to look out for themselves a little more wherever they go and you will need to be extra cautious and aware in Cape Town.
South Africa is known as the rape capital of the world but despite this and the crime rates, solo female travelers haven’t stopped going to Cape Town and most of them are just fine. If you play it right, you can enjoy a safe visit to Cape Town as a solo female without any worries. Here are some tips to follow.
Safety Tips For Solo Female Travelers In Cape Town
- Don’t go to remote places alone, like beaches
- Dress down and try not to stand out
- Act with confidence, don’t look lost and confused
- Do not walk around after sunset or at night
- Get trusted taxis only like Uber
- Hangout with other female travelers
- Stay in a nice place with a good vibe in a good area
- Spend time in the safe parts of the city
- Party with friends in safe areas
- Ask local staff about the area and the do’s and don’ts
Make sure someone always knows where you are going, no matter how insignificant it is like going to the shop
Always keep an eye on your drink as spikings are rife
As you can see, these tips are pretty much common sense so it is very doable for a solo female traveler to have a safe experience when visiting Cape Town.
Is Public Transport Safe In Cape Town?
You only have three public transportation options when it comes to getting around Cape Town and one is much better than the rest.
MyCiti bus is the safest form of public transport in Cape Town as it is government-run and kept safe. This is the best way to get around, bar Uber.
Minibus Taxis are super cheap but they are usually crowded and the drivers don’t follow the rules plus the taxis are not maintained well.
The Metrorail is the least safe option and it should be avoided, and never traveled on at night.
In all honesty, having spent quite a lot of time in Cape Town, Ubers are so cheap that it simply isn’t worth risking medium public transport services while you are there.
Is It Safe To Drive In Cape Town?
Overall, it is safe to drive in Cape Town as the roads are well maintained, and getting a rental car is both easy and cheap. Also, the stunning scenic area around Cape Town needs to be explored as the coastline is one of the most beautiful in the world. People drive quite well in South Africa too.
That being said, crime is still a problem even when you are driving around and these include smash and grabs, carjackings, and muggings. Each crime mentioned tends to happen when you are at a red light or stuck in traffic.
Drive around with your doors locked, windows closed, and at night, do not stop at a red light in the city, just drive straight though, it is actually legal.
I was violently robbed while driving in South Africa and I ended up with a bloody nose, a knife at my neck, and all they wanted was my phone.
Is It Safe To Drink Tap Water in Cape Town?
South Africa, and Cape Town, are one of the few places in Africa where you can actually drink the tap water so don’t hold back. That being said, they do have water shortages so don’t waste any water either and use it responsibly when you shower.
Is Cape Town Food Safe To Eat?
Known as the mother city, while being a port city and a major city in South Africa, the food, as you might expect, is pretty amazing in Cape Town. You can find everything from fresh Atlantic seafood to sushi, great vegan meals, awesome steaks, and more.
Cape Town is close to South Africa’s wine country too and there is nothing better than pairing your meal with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinotage on the waterfront.
Pretty much all the food is safe in Cape Town, just make sure you’re eating in a popular restaurant with other people in it, just like in all major cities. Cape Town’s street food is also fantastic and is similar to other street food in cities like London so enjoy it.
Washing your hands is always wise when traveling around any world city and it is worth checking if your food is cooked properly so you can enjoy it without any worries and not deal with a dodgy stomach afterward.
Is Cape Town Safe To Travel For Families?
Cape Town is a pretty famous destination for families, particularly for South African families from other cities. Cape Town is definitely a safe place for a family to visit as you will be staying in a safe area, or safer, compared to backpackers and being doing far less risky things.
Just be sure to book all your activities with a reliable tour operator and the best way to find one is through a recommendation from your accommodation. Many tourists book their sightseeing in this way and they have a blast.
There are so many great things to do and see for a family in Cape Town from the amazon coastal views to penguin walks, surfing in Camps Bay, and lots more.
Are There Areas To Avoid In Cape Town?
Like all cities in the world, Cape Town does have some places that you must avoid going to as you could be risking your life by doing so. The general rules are that the poorer the area the more crime that is prevalent and the more tourists would be a target.
As we have already discussed, you should avoid visiting townships, and here is a detailed list of places to avoid so you stay safe on your trip.
Cape Flats, just near the central business district of Cape Town, has to be avoided at all costs. This place is run by street gangs and has the highest rates of crime in the city. The government is trying to get a handle on the crime in the Flats and has made progress since 2019 but it is still far too dangerous for tourists to visit.
Nyanga and Langa are other townships in Cape Town that should be avoided. They have been around before any of the others and are one of the poorest towns in Cape Town. It is not a safe place for tourists to be and you should avoid walking near their periphery too.
There are other townships outside of Cape Town and these are quite incredible places to see but you should not do it on your own. While it is great to see, the overall risk is still there but if you go with the right tour guide, you will find you feel safe and get to see some amazing culture.
Is Cape Town Safe To Live In?
Cape Town is a stunning place to live and if you know what you are doing you can reduce the overall risk of being unsafe by a load. I have quite a few friends who live in Cape Town and they have a great life through being cautious.
By living in the right area such as Camps Bay or Bloubergstrand, you will feel safe as these are secure neighborhoods. Other more affordable areas include Hout Bay and Constantia which are stunning but you will need security as there is a township called Imizamo Yethu sitting in between them.
Living outside of Cape Town in the stunning suburbs is what I would recommend as the pickpockets’ risk, mugging risk, taxis risk, and the Cape Town overall risk all go down a load.
Spots like Scarborough, Noordhoek, and Kommetjie all offer a safer place to live than in town and you will be right next to the beach and in nature too.
When living in Cape Town, you do have to remember that you are giving up a lot of freedoms. While there is close to no terrorism risk and natural disasters risk bar drought you will have to change the way you operate in your day-to-day.
Safety concerns will be in the back of your mind all the time but it’s worth it overall so go for it, but just be clever about it.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Cape Town?
The best time to visit Cape Town is during the summer months which lie between November and April. This is when the sun is shining, the days are hot, but they are not humid in any way. The cool breeze that comes off the Atlantic ensures you stay fresh despite it being very warm.
During this time of year, you can live the outdoor life that Cape Town is so well designed for. Between the great beaches, awesome nature walks, amazing views from the tops of mountains, and all the great restaurants and bars, you will have a blast.
Between June and October, Cape Town gets cold and wet, just like Europe in the winter but not quite as cold. You can go on blustery walks along the coast and up the mountains, get cozy in a pub, and enjoy evenings in front of the fire at home.
Visiting in the winter months is no way near as good as visiting in the summer but you will still have a good time.
Top Safety Tips for Traveling in Cape Town
Here is how to behave to ensure your safety in Cape Town. If you follow these suggestions you will have an uber safe experience and enjoy your trip to the max.
- Walking around at night is a big no – don’t do it, always get a trusted taxi, and always let someone know your plans and keep in good comms
- Do not use the train network around Cape Town, day or night, Uber is super cheap and a lot safer
- Do not go into all the areas we discussed earlier that need to be avoided. Check all your routes too as GoogleMaps can lead you into a dodgy area
- Stay alert and keep an eye on your surroundings – use all your senses and don’t walk around staring at your phone
- Dress to go unnoticed – if you walk around peacocking, you are going to attract all the wrong kinds of attention so leave expensive clothes, jewelry, watches, and more at home
- Drive around with your car doors locked, windows closed, and don’t stop at red lights at night
- Swim in the right places – sharks and rip currents are a real danger and you will find all beaches have lifeguards and safe swimming areas
- Hiking alone can be dangerous as people are attacked on hiking trails, be careful and hike in a group if you can
- Tourist police are trying to extort you, ignore them
- Keep your belongings close by and safe
- Don’t use ATMs at night, and use ATMs inside
Is Airbnb Cape Town Safe For Tourists?
Yes especially if the properties have multiple reviews and are in a safe neighborhood too. This is a great way to be safe and meet a local with a load of useful advice.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
