What are the safest areas in Cape Town?

Cape Town has many safe areas for tourists. A luxury apartment or a beach villa on the Cape Peninsula suburbs such as Bakoven, Camps Bay, Clifton and Fresnaye are generally safe places to stay. Many upmarket holiday homes have the latest security features.



For tourists visiting Cape Town in 2026, the safest and most popular areas are generally found along the "Atlantic Seaboard" and within the heavily monitored "City Bowl." Camps Bay and Clifton are upscale beachfront suburbs known for their exclusivity, high-end security, and stunning views, making them very safe for travelers. V&A Waterfront is a dedicated tourist hub with private security and 24-hour patrols, offering a very secure environment for shopping and dining. Sea Point and Green Point are centrally located, walkable, and vibrant areas that are generally safe during the day, though standard urban precautions are advised at night. In the city center, De Waterkant is a quaint, trendy neighborhood with a high density of cafes and boutiques that feels very secure. The CBD (Central Business District) has seen significant improvement due to the presence of public safety officers (CCID), though visitors should remain vigilant on certain streets after dark. Tamboerskloof and Oranjezicht are quiet, leafy residential areas on the slopes of Table Mountain that are favored for their low crime rates. Regardless of where you stay, it is always recommended to use Uber rather than walking late at night and to avoid displaying expensive jewelry or electronics in public.

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Short answer, yes it is safe. As with any city, various areas would be no-go zones, and others are areas no-go at night, and some where you should be on alert for pick-pockets / petty theft. Some more info as to what your plans are and reasons for travel, type of activities will attract more specific answers.

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Cape Town is a generally safe place for a holiday or a workation. However, like several cities in South Africa, it has its fair share of crime, especially gang-related activity. Cape Town is also home to the South African parliament, so political demonstrations and rallies are also common.

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Use Uber if you're out and about after dark The good news is that Ubers are safe and inexpensive. Drivers tend to have thousands of five-star reviews, so you can be sure you're in good hands. For additional safety, you can ask your driver to give you a pin so you can be sure you're getting into the right car.

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Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible. Walking at night is not advisable and many tourists consider public transport to be unsafe; private car rental is the safest option for independent travel.

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The safest way to travel is by car, allowing you to road trip through the scenic Cape Town area too. The region has a good road system, with South Africans driving on the left. Parking is readily available, and you'll likely encounter car guards, who you should tip around R5 for watching your vehicle.

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We walked around Sea point in December. Keep to busy roads, don't have expensive jewellery or valuables on show, and keep vigilant. Those three restaurants are very close to Radisson Le Vendome so walking there should not present a problem.

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Though most Capetonians drive everywhere, Cape Town is an extremely walkable city.

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Many use it for their daily commute to and from work because it's cheaper and can reduce the amount of time spent in traffic. Research shows that intra-city buses like MyCiTi and Golden Arrow Bus Services in Cape Town are as safe as rail.

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With four or five days in the city – ideally a week – you can see all the major sights (Cape Town's notoriously fickle weather permitting), pick the perfect restaurant (book a few weeks ahead for big-name fine dining joints) and get a feel for the city's general joie de vivre.

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Popular party streets in the city center, including Kloof Street, Long Street, Loop Street, and Bree Street, as well as De Waterkant and Sea Point, attract many visitors. However, it is important to exercise caution, particularly after dark, in busy areas like Long Street.

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