{"id":1372,"date":"2021-10-27T14:43:56","date_gmt":"2021-10-27T14:43:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/?p=1372"},"modified":"2023-10-18T15:19:01","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T15:19:01","slug":"cape-town-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/info\/cape-town-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Cape Town Safety Tips, FAQs & resources | Tourist guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Cape Town is a fantastically beautiful city, with epic mountains<\/a>, oceans abundant with life, unique biospheres of plantlife, and a wonderful local culture of diversity and joy-despite-hardship. It\u2019s a great city. But the question most foreigners I\u2019ve talked to ask me is the crime and danger aspect. Isn\u2019t Cape Town unsafe? Because of course, it is a real concern!<\/p>

So, since there are genuine concerns about safety in Cape Town, I\u2019ve put together this post on tips to avoid danger and frequently asked questions. As well as transport options and safety tips, helpful local resources, emergency numbers, and areas to avoid.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Is Cape Town safe?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The short answer is, no, not entirely. The city consistently ranks among the top 10-15 most violent cities in the world<\/a> and pickpocketing is even more common than violent crime.<\/p>

However, despite the bleakness of the short answer, most people find living in Cape Town<\/a> comfortably safe if they follow the below advice. Almost all violent crime in the city is restricted to the densely packed impoverished communities, which, while the conditions are deplorable, form kind of a second city alongside the far safer center and coastal region.<\/p>

So, despite the city being rife with crime, that crime is unlikely to be within your realm of experience, or directed at you. If that doesn\u2019t sound very reassuring, I\u2019ve got plenty of tips from years of walking and catching public transport around our fair city.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Cape Town safety FAQs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Well, now that we’ve covered the big one, let’s get into more detail! I’ve gathered the most common questions around safety in Cape Town, to help you understand the city’s safety sore points and plan around them.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs Cape Town safe to walk around?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

This really depends on the area and your awareness level. In areas popular with tourists, like Sea Point<\/a>, Camps Bay and Hout Bay<\/a>, you can walk around comfortably. Other areas are still walkable, you just need to stay vigilant – don\u2019t keep your eyes glued to your phone, and don\u2019t walk on empty roads.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs Cape Town safe for tourists?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes! Tourists are well-liked in Cape Town and you\u2019ll find that most locals are really friendly and helpful.\u00a0<\/p>

You do, however, need to keep a watch out for people looking to take advantage of a tourist\u2019s naivety and unawareness. Scammers, petty thieves and other criminals tend to watch for \u2018easy prey\u2019. So if you look too doe-eyed and unsure, you may be targeted. Walk confidently and briskly, don\u2019t take your phone out too often, and ask for assistance when you need it!<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs Cape Town safe at night?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Parts of Cape Town are safe at night, others aren\u2019t. If in doubt, ask the front desk (or Airbnb owner) of your accommodation!\u00a0<\/p>

In general, though, it\u2019s best not to walk solo past dark, and even in a group, to stick to well-lit and well-frequented areas. For example, people are still hiking up and down Lion\u2019s Head well into the night. As long as others are doing it with you, it\u2019s safe!\u00a0<\/p>

Parts of Cape Town aren\u2019t safe at night even for groups, so do some research on your planned neighbourhood – there\u2019s a lot of variation in this city!<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs Cape Town safe for solo females?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

If you\u2019ve travelled solo before, Cape Town is a great place to explore on your own. The locals are very friendly, and you\u2019ll make friends very quickly (if you\u2019re looking to). You\u2019ll also adore the nature and culture! Woman to woman, I\u2019d highly recommend the neighbourhood of Observatory <\/a>– I used to live nearby it, and the charming cafes, local music haunts, and snazzy thrift stores are wonderful. It\u2019s also my favourite place to visit solo (that is, outside of nature).<\/p>

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I wouldn\u2019t necessarily recommend Cape Town for a first-time solo female traveller, though. Simply because some skills in self-awareness and vigilance are important, and these are things you naturally build up while travelling.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Definitely! Cape Town, in fact, is regarded as the gay capital of Africa. The city hosts multiple queer events throughout the year, and has B&Bs, bars and clubs specifically catering to the queer community. This LGBT guide to Cape Town <\/a>offers more detailed info!\u00a0<\/p>

South Africa was the first African country to legalise gay marriage, and one of the first countries in the world to constitutionally protect people against discrimination based on their sexual orientations.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhich is the safest city in South Africa?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

It\u2019s Cape Town! My home city is the safest major city in South Africa. It\u2019s also the most popular with tourists, thanks to our incredible natural scenery, diverse culture and other big advantages.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Coming from a local – Cape Town is a fantastic place to live. Quality of life is great, with so much to do and see, decent infrastructure, and so many world-class cafes, restaurants, bars, and clubs.\u00a0<\/p>

You can also find a good apartment with a great view for a reasonable price, which is a pretty big deal these days. If you\u2019re considering living here, check out my guide to moving to Cape Town<\/a>, with all its pros, cons, and nitty-gritty!<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t