👉 Jump to: Is Cape Town Safe? | Safe Areas | Covid-19 | Crime | Scams | Weather | Transportation | Female Traveler | Water | Safety Tips | FAQ
As one of the largest cities in South Africa, you may be wondering, is Cape Town safe? The beauty of the coastal city and its notoriety for being a top destination makes it one of the most visited places in Africa, but there are some things to know before you go.
Given the recent health crisis, this is an understandable subject to be concerned about. As a Cape Town local, I can tell you that Cape Town is generally a safe place to travel year-round.
I’ve put together some Cape Town safety tips for you next time you visit the many beautiful places in Cape Town.
Is Cape Town Safe?
Cape Town is generally a safe place to travel, although travellers should still take necessary precautions to avoid petty theft, especially in the city centre. There are also certain health concerns to be aware of in some parts of the city and selective establishments may require you to wear a mask.
Cape Town is an overall safe destination for visitors travelling through the coastal city. Although Cape Town has a relatively low crime rate, it ranks in the middle of the safest cities in South Africa. This is due to its massive size and its many dense metropolitan areas that are prone to a higher property crime rate than smaller rural Cape Town towns.
Because Cape Town is a huge tourist destination, violence typically does not affect tourists. The recent rise of crime in South Africa impacts mostly residents. Visitors are more likely to encounter property crime, so keeping an eye on your belongings will ensure your utmost safety in Cape Town.
Things to Know About Safety in Cape Town
Safe Neighbourhoods and Areas in Cape Town
- Sea Point – a coastal neighbourhood with beaches
- Most beach towns in Cape Town are safe to stay in or visit. The safest beach cities include Camps Bay, Bloubergstrand, and Llandudno.
- Cape Town beach towns with large median household income rates receive fairly low crime rates and are family-friendly places to stay.
- Mountain towns near Cape Town are also generally safe areas to stay in the city. These include Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, and Paarl. These places receive a lower property crime rate because they are somewhat remote and require effort to get to.
- Other safe neighbourhoods in Cape Town are areas that have an expensive cost of living like Clifton and Constantia. Because rent, hotels, and food are more expensive in these areas, thieves are more likely to stay out of these places.
Covid-19 Safety in Cape Town
Cape Town was hit pretty hard during the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to a large number of Cape Town inhabitants, roughly 4.6 million people, the city was constantly mandating new measures during the beginning of the pandemic.
The Cape Town economy is back up and booming now. Some establishments, however, still urge visitors to wear a mask, although this is recommended and not required. Such places include major universities and government establishments.
To ensure you stay happy and healthy on your trip to Cape Town, I recommend wearing a mask when on tours or in population-dense areas. Many Cape Town residents get sick during the winter months, so this is also a wise time to wear a mask so you don’t get sick on vacation.
Crime in Cape Town
Property crime rates in Cape Town have been on the decline since the early 2000s. Most of the crimes are robberies in the city centre. Both tourists and residents are subject to petty crimes, however, so it’s best to be on alert while in Cape Town.
Most crime in Cape Town is related to property crimes like burglary, theft, and trespassing. This includes pickpocketing in crowded areas while walking around the city, and sometimes even in restaurants.
The best way to avoid being the victim of such crimes is to always keep an eye on your belongings and to only carry the essentials. Have enough money for the day in your wallet and leave the rest secured in the hotel room.
The chances of a traveller experiencing a property crime or violent crime in Cape Town are low but you should still take precautions. Consider carrying defence weapons like pepper spray just in case.
Common Scams in Cape Town
The property crime rate in Cape Town is lower than in most cities but tourists can still encounter common scams like pickpocketing. Here are the main scams you should look out for:
- 🗺 Tour scams – Oftentimes when tour operators know someone is a tourist, they will charge them double the price of the regular tour. Your best bet to avoid this monetary discrimination is to compare prices online before visiting a tour operator in person. You may even want to buy your tour or sightseeing ticket online to avoid a property crime and to find the price that best suits your budget.
- 💰 Pickpockets – Pickpocketing is one of the most common property crimes in Cape Town. Although the property crime rate fell significantly this year compared to previous years, incidences still occur. Pickpocketing is a common property crime in Cape Town, especially in crowded city areas. To avoid a pickpocket while in the city, try wearing a money belt under your clothes or keep your backpack or purse in the front of your body as opposed to the side or back.
- 👛 Mugging – Nobody wants to experience mugging, especially while on vacation. This form of aggravated assault can happen in even the safest cities, so it’s best to take precautions while travelling. These precautions include not wandering off alone at night, especially in the city centre. Mugging can happen during the day but the likelihood is far greater after sunset. If you can, try to drive or take a rideshare to and from your destination to avoid walking in the street at night.
- 🚕 Taxi scams – Taxi scams are common around the world. These happen when taxi drivers take a longer route on purpose, don’t turn the meter on, or claim they don’t have change when you give them a large bill. To avoid a taxi scam, research the route ahead of time to know how long it should take to your destination. Also, make sure the driver turns on the meter to avoid being scammed. You may want to opt for rideshare to avoid taxi scams for good.
Hazardous Weather and Natural Disasters
Cape Town sits in an earthquake zone and is incredibly prone to tremors. Cape Town locals are so used to earthquakes that if there’s just a small one, we may not even notice it. This can be alarming for visitors, however, especially when buildings start to shake. The best action to take if you experience a Cape Town earthquake is to either duck under a table and cover your head or step outside immediately, where no infrastructure could possibly crumble.
Also, be wary of rainstorms and flooding in Cape Town. The city experiences winter rainfall between May and September. Depending on when you visit Cape Town, be prepared for an unexpected rainstorm by always having a rain jacket on hand.
Safety on Public Transportation
You may encounter property crime on Cape Town’s public transportation, including buses and trains. Because this mode of transportation is so reliable and affordable, many Cape Town locals from different demographics take public transportation.
Travellers are more prone to pickpocketing than locals on public transportation in Cape Town. To avoid this possibility, I recommend renting your own car or using rideshares like Uber to get around.
Female Travel Safety in Cape Town
Cape Town is a relatively safe city for solo female travel. As a female myself, I have made many Cape Town trips outside of my hometown both alone and with other female friends without encountering any violent crimes.
Cape Town is a progressive city and solo female travel is common. Most Cape Town locals are friendly and will offer help if you are in need. You should still be a cautious traveller in Cape Town, especially at night. I recommend the buddy system for going out at night, just to be on the safe side.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Cape Town?
Tap water is completely fine to drink in Cape Town. You will not get sick from drinking tap water, so feel free to fill up your bottle at a public water fountain.
Many Cape Town locals prefer to use a water filter or buy bottled water, however. Cape Town locals are very health-conscientious and avoid consuming the toxins in tap water when possible.
7 Safety Tips for Cape Town
Tip #1 – Be Alert While Driving
The Cape Town tempo is fast. Be prepared to encounter some crazy Cape Town drivers on our huge freeways. Know the traffic laws if you are coming from out of the country before you rent a car because traffic officers are ready to stop speeding drivers.
Tip #2 – Leave the Flashy Accessories Behind
This helpful travel tip holds true for Cape Town as well as anywhere else. Leave your flashy accessories like nice watches, real jewelry, and expensive shoes behind so you don’t stand out as having something worth robbing you of. I recommend leaving your expensive goods either at home or in your hotel room safe.
Tip #3 – Only Bring What You Need for the Day
Although I have never been robbed in Cape Town, it does happen. Leave most of your cash and non-important credit cards behind in your hotel room so you aren’t completely stranded if you are pickpocketed. A good travel rule is to only bring what you need to spend during the day in your wallet. This likely includes money for food, tips, souvenirs, and possibly public transportation.
Tip #4 – Avoid Cape Town’s Public Transportation During Rush Hour
You are most likely to be pickpocketed on public transportation during rush hour in Cape Town. Be extra cautious when buses and trains are crammed with passengers, this is when you are most likely to be targeted. If you must take public transportation at this time, keep your backpack or purse in front of your body at all times so you can keep an eye on it.
Tip #5 – Don’t Walk Alone at Night
Not walking alone at night is one of the most important rules when travelling to a new location. This is the time when visitors are most likely to experience property crime, so try to drive or take a rideshare when possible. Some areas of Cape Town might be okay to walk alone at night, but always avoid this in the city centre.
Tip #6 – Lock Your Doors
Make sure your accommodation doors are locked at night before you go to bed. Theft happens even in the nicest neighbourhoods. Also make sure to double-check that your rental car is locked, just in case. It’s important to take every precaution possible to not lose your valuables while on vacation.
Tip #7 – Carry a Non-lethal Weapon
It may be in your best interest to carry a non-lethal weapon like pepper spray during your time in Cape Town. Even as a Cape Town local, I still carry this almost everywhere I go, just in case. Another option is to carry a personal alarm, as it’ll alert nearby people to your distress and ward off would-be attackers.
Cape Town Safety FAQs
Is Cape Town a safe place to live?
Cape Town has been ranked one of the safer major cities in South Africa. It ranks at the top for safety in the country. It has a relatively low violent crime rate compared to other South African cities and is suited as a family-friendly place to live.
What is the safest area in Cape Town?
The safest areas in Cape Town tend to be the coastal neighbourhoods and beach towns. These include Camps Bay, Sea Point, Bloubergstrand, and Llandudno which all have very low crime rates.
Is Cape Town safe for tourists?
Cape Town is one of the top destinations in South Africa for tourists. It is very safe for visitors and the crime rate among travellers is relatively low compared to other major South African cities like Johannesburg.
