Is Cape Town SAFE to Visit? (2023 • Insider Tips)

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Begrudgingly, yes, visiting Cape Town is safe right now. However, travellers should exercise heightened caution due to high levels of crime.

As a tourist, the level of risk that you expose yourself to is low, thanks to the South African tourist police. Spots that are regularly visited by tourists (and there are a great number of cool places to go) are well guarded, but that does not mean that they can’t be dangerous, especially at night!

Theft, in the form of muggings, scams, and pickpocketing, remains part of the scenery as it would be in any developing city. Because of these occurrences, among others, you can’t really wander around the city too much – it is a little dangerous to do so. Thankfully, the city is safe enough to tick off a great Cape Town itinerary!

Carjackings are a particular issue in South Africa in general, and it is wise to double-check that you locked your doors before driving. When visiting Cape Town, it is always a great idea to take that extra level of precaution!

Cape Town suffered a bad water shortage in 2017/2018, so pay attention to local water regulations and rules.

There is some confusion regarding the safety of central business districts and the city centre. Some reports indicate that due to a strong police presence, the CBDs are quite safe. Others (including the UK government’s own) show that crime levels are actually unreasonably high here, especially at night.

At the end of the day, you should be cautious and take note of any travel safety tips you can get your mitts on. Talk to someone who lives here if you can!

Cape Town is a large city with two main areas: the Atlantic Seaboard and the City Bowl. Divided by the iconic Table Mountain, these areas are subdivided into different neighbourhoods and areas. If you’re worried about your safety, stay in one of the following areas.

• V&A Waterfront: Waterfront is a contained area with limited road access and plenty of CCTV cameras and security patrols. It’s home to the Aquarium, the Robben Island Museum, and is the main stop on the City Sightseeing bus routes. If you can put up with loads of tourists, this will be a great place to stay!
• Clifton and Camps Bay: These two sister neighbourhoods are an amazing option for families that want to enjoy the beauty of Cape Town while staying safe. You can find flashy houses and mansions overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and, if you’re lucky, one or the other celebrity. The area has good transportation links to other parts of the city and it’s home to some of the best guesthouses in Cape Town.
• City Bowl: You’ll find plenty of artists, small businesses, and young entrepreneurs in the City Bowl vicinity. Garden and Woodstock, two uprising and popular neighbourhoods, are situated in City Bowl as well. Staying here means a great mix between nature, culture and lots of creativity. Great hostels too!
• False Bay: While the name belies trickery, False Bay is actually an ex-pat hub. Lots of people move here for the fantastic watersports in the area, especially in Muizenberg and Fish Hoek. Known as Cape Town’s deep south, this is a super safe place to be.

Places in Cape Town to Avoid

Unfortunately, not all of Cape Town is safe. The general rule of thumb is: the poorer the neighbourhood, the more dangerous it is. We’ve listed the main no-go areas that you should avoid during your trip.

• Cape Flats: Cape Flats is known for high crime rates and should definitely be avoided. It’s situated to the southeast of the CBD area and is ruled by gangs. Since 2019, the government has stepped in and the crime statistics have improved, however, it’s still considered a no-go area for tourists.
• Langa and Nyanga: These two areas are the oldest townships in Cape Town, but also one of the poorest. Therefore, crime rates are relatively high and it’s not a safe area for tourists.
• Kraaifontein: Kraaifontein has an extraordinarily high crime rate, and is best missed if possible. Over 10000 crimes were committed here in 2020.
• Other Township Areas: These areas are on the outside of Cape Town’s popular neighbourhoods. While they offer an incredible culture, they’re not the safest place for tourists. Exploring these areas alone is not recommended. Instead, opt for having a local guide or friend show you around.

The best way to avoid crime is to be cautious, stay vigilant, be aware of your surroundings – and to keep in mind our insider tips for staying safe in Cape Town. 

1. Don’t walk around at night – crime rates are significantly higher after dark. Don’t even think about wandering around during this time. Take a taxi (more on that later).
2. Don’t travel on the trains (especially at night)  – Rent a car to get or use Uber.
3. Avoid certain districts – do your research when visiting Cape Town and make sure your walking routes don’t take you through dodgy neighbourhoods.
4. Be aware of your surroundings – for instance, wearing headphones isn’t smart. You’ll want ALL your senses to stay safe.
5. Don’t walk around looking super rich – jewels, expensive clothes, looking like a celebrity. It’s an advert for thieves.
6. Be alert at all times – don’t wear your headsets or walk around holding electronics like cameras or phones.
7. Swim between flags and in nets at beaches – because of dangerous currents, and also sharks. Swim close to the shore and keep an eye out for red flags (these mean don’t swim). But enjoy!
8. Be careful if you’re out hiking – Attacks do happen on the trails. Always share your location with someone you trust. Travel with a group and check to see if certain areas have higher rates of muggings.
9. If you’re approached by ‘tourist police’ ignore them – these people are nine times out of ten fake and just looking to extort you. Ask for identification if you are unsure.
10. Don’t leave things lying around unattended – bags, phones, wallets. These can disappear easily. Keep them on you. A large proportion of crime in Cape Town is opportunistic, so don’t give ’em a reason!
11. Use ATMs inside – The only currency accepted in South Africa is the Rand (ZAR). Avoid carrying a lot of cash and try to pay by card. It’s just safer to do so. When withdrawing cash, go inside a mall or bank.
12. Secure your belongings at your hotel – If someone rifles through your stuff, it’s best to have valuables hidden or in a safe.
13. Don’t open the door to just anybody – check to make sure you know who’s knocking at your door – it may be a potential thief.
14. Keep your credit cards in sight – even when they’re in use as fraud is rampant here. Hide them in a money belt.
15. Similarly, don’t give your details to anyone – again, fraud.
16. Practice safe sex – HIV/AIDS is a genuine issue in South Africa that affects lives daily.
17. If you’re being robbed, don’t resist – most fatalities occur when people struggle too much.
18. Decline if someone offers to help you with your luggage at airports – they’ll most likely just be after your luggage itself.
19. If you’re heading out at night, do your research and go with people – a ‘nice’ area + more people around you = preferable.
20. Copy important documents – rather than take your passport around with you, which could easily go missing.
21. You’ll probably be approached by street children asking for money – it’s a personal choice if you give money, but you may find yourself overwhelmed if you seem to be giving a lot/all the time. Donate to a not-for-profit.

Make sure you do your homework, be aware of ‘no-go’ areas, and be conscious of your surroundings; practice these, and you’re bound to have a blast!

You’ll be pleased to know it’s safe to visit Cape Town alone. Of course, travelling by yourself anywhere in the world comes with its problems. Solo travellers are often easier targets for thieves and can be more susceptible to attack. If you follow our Cape Town safety tips, you should be fine!

Travelling around Cape Town Alone – Tips and Pointers

• Staying in a hostel in Cape Town with solid reviews, a good social atmosphere, and a good location is a good step towards staying safe as a solo traveller in Cape Town.
• Going on a well-reviewed walking tour, or any other sort of tour – maybe one put on by your hostel – is a good way of getting acquainted with the city. 
• Staying with a local at a homestay or guesthouse is another good way to get some perspective. Not only will you learn about Cape Town (and South Africa) but also get a good grip on how to get around the city.
• Listen to advice from locals. If you are advised to avoid certain areas or activities alone, do some additional research with their advice in mind before making your final decision on the destination or activity.
• Always let someone know where you are. You don’t want to go missing without anyone noticing.
• Make sure you know where you’re going, how you’re getting there and how you can get back independently.
• Ultimately, do your research. Our tips are a good place to start, but the different districts of Cape Town are a sphere of knowledge that need special attention.

With a high crime rate and the ever-looming threat of rape (South Africa as a country has been called the “rape capital of the world”), Cape Town might not seem like the best place to be heading as a solo female traveller.

In defiance of these dangers, there are still plenty of female travellers who go backpacking in Cape Town. Staying safe just means extra work as a female solo traveller. Lame but necessary.

Travelling to Cape Town as a Woman – Tips and Pointers

• Take taxis arranged by your hostel or through an app. It’s not worth taking the risk when it comes to walking around at night, or even just after sunset.
• Meeting other travellers is a good idea, so find a place to stay in Cape Town with good views, a good vibe and some female-only dorms (if you fancy it). Talking to other female travellers is good since you can share tips on travelling, which can only ever be a positive thing.
• When you’re walking around by yourself, be confident. Looking unsure of your surroundings makes you seem like an easy target.
• Not everywhere in the city is shady. Do your research, and get out of the main touristed areas – Bo-Kaap is a wonderful, trouble-free district full of cool, colourful houses.
• If you want to go out partying, maybe stick to your own hostel bar. If you do go out (with people and while using taxis), watch your drink and don’t take drinks offered by strangers.
• Ask the staff at your hostel about the local area. The more you know, the safer you’ll be.
• Let people know what your plans are. If you go out hiking or even just on a guided tour, having someone know your whereabouts s better than nobody knowing where you are for the day.
• Try to fit in a little more and dress like a local.
• Avoid being on isolated beaches by yourself, any time of day. Muggings – or worse – can happen.

Cape Town receives all kinds of tourists, many of these being families rather than intrepid backpackers. As such, we’d say Cape Town is absolutely safe for families.

Chances are you’ll be staying in a more visited area, and will be doing more touristy things than the average backpacker. This already makes the situation much safer for you, and it should be easy to fully experience Cape Town.

With regards to specifics, you’ll want to pay extra attention to your children if you let them go swimming, due to strong currents and sharks. Normally, there will be a lifeguard or shark spotter on the beach, but don’t count on this!

Don’t let kids wander around streets themselves, and stick to the ‘good’ bits of town. Crime risks are low in large parts of Cape Town but can rise if you head into the slums or poorer parts of town. Don’t do that really uncool tourist thing of visiting one of the underprivileged parts…

There are a few public transport options in Cape Town. Although not as safe as Uber, they’re still a great way to get around the city.

• Minibus Taxis: Very cheap, but they also come with a lot of flaws. They’re often overcrowded, the cars themselves are not maintained, and the drivers have a tendency to disobey all traffic laws.
• MyCiTi: It’s the bus service in Cape Town, and it is much safer. As opposed to minibus taxis, these are actually like any ‘normal’ city bus that you might get in. We approve of this mode of transport.
• Metrorail: As we mentioned earlier, this is not the sort of thing you’ll want to be travelling around on at night (like with anything in Cape Town).

While the roads in Cape Town are generally good to drive on, carjackings and smash-and-grabs make it a bit more dangerous than other places. Since these happen almost exclusively at red lights, people often run reds to mitigate the risk. Lights don’t mean everything here!

Uber is safe in Cape Town. In fact, everybody uses Uber in Cape Town. Even if it’s a 2-minute journey on foot, even if it’s just 100 metres to the next venue, Cape Town residents do not walk – they Uber (or taxi).

Stick to reputable companies that have official methods of contact. One company that is certainly worth your time (and money) is Excite Taxis, although there are plenty of others. Even when using these legitimate services, take a photo of the driver’s ID. This helps in case you have any problems.

Crime in Cape Town is sadly a large problem. In 2022, the murder rate was 66.36 per 100,000 inhabitants, which is in a similar bracket to some of the most dangerous cities in South America (like Fortaleza or Belem). The U.S. government travel authority has put a level two rating on South Africa as a whole, due to the high crime rate. Thankfully, crime against tourists is pretty low, but the recent drought and water crisis have put everyone on edge, including the inevitably white middle class.

There have been increasing reports of tour guide scams, so if someone offers, don’t take them up on it unless you know they’re kosher! Try to travel with a friend if you can, and be wary of criminals posing as officials.

Laws in Cape Town

Always carry a copy of your passport and visitor permit with you. Lock the real thing up somewhere safe! The use of cannabis for private consumption is legal here, but it is illegal to buy or sell. You should watch out for current water usage regulations, which have been relaxed since 2018, but may still be present.

Cape Town Travel Insurance

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

For a travel destination like Cape Town, there are lots of different things you have to consider when it comes to safety. We’ve listed the most common question, answers and facts to make your trip as easy as possible.

Yes, we’d say Cape Town is safe for travel as long as you use your common sense and do your research. It is an amazing town, one that is often worth the risks. Ask any local and, regardless of statistics, they’d probably say it’s safe to live in Cape Town, at least, for people with good sense.

Bad things can happen anywhere, but when it comes to staying safe in Cape Town you can lessen your chances of being a victim by simply being vigilant. Pay attention to your surroundings – that’s our number one rule. 

Follow our advice, fellow broke backpackers, and you’ll find Cape Town a much more manageable and fun place to be.

Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. Do your own research. Enjoy your travels!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!