How to Stay Safe in Cape Town, South Africa: What Tourists Need to Know in 2025
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- Jul 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 25
Cape Town is a city of staggering beauty. Framed by Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, it regularly ranks as one of the top cities in the world and in fact, was named the Best City on Earth by The Telegraph Travel Awards 2025, visitors flock here for its world class food, wine farms, nature, and cultural richness.
But beneath the postcard views, Cape Town...like many major cities...has areas where safety can be a concern, particularly for first time visitors unfamiliar with the terrain.
Why Safety is Making Headlines
In 2023, Cape Town made international headlines after a few high profile attacks on tourists. The U.S. issued a travel advisory following the robbery and shooting of an American tourist near the airport, while a British doctor was tragically killed after being redirected through a high risk area during a taxi strike. These heartbreaking incidents highlight just how important it is to plan your movements carefully and know which areas to avoid, even during the daytime.
✅ 6 Must Know Safety Tips for Tourists Visiting Cape Town
Hire a Tour Guide or Use Uber Your safest bet is to hire a reputable local guide or use trusted ride hailing services like Uber or Bolt. The driver or guide is likely to know which areas to avoid that may seem GPS friendly but are not. These options keep you out of danger zones and reduce your chances of making wrong turns into risky areas.
If You Must Drive, Double Check Routes If Uber or a guide isn’t viable, don’t rely solely on GPS. Route suggestions that avoid traffic can easily lead you into high risk areas. Before heading out, consult locals or your accommodation staff to confirm your route is safe.
Avoid Unfamiliar Shortcuts Even in daylight, some routes are best avoided. Stick to major highways like the N2 and never take detours through neighborhoods you don’t know.
Be Aware of Taxi Strikes or Road Protests Though not a common occurence, Cape Town’s taxi strikes can be disruptive and dangerous. These often change routes, clog roads, and occasionally lead to violence. Always check for alerts before you travel.
Travel with Purpose, Not Curiosity Don't roam aimlessly, especially when alone or in unfamiliar neighborhoods. Stick to vetted, safe areas, well reviewed activities and experiences.
Use ChatGPT for Local Guidance Yep...don’t underestimate this one. You can literally prompt any of the following:
“I'm a tourist in Cape Town staying in Green Point...what safe activities can I do today?”
Or even:
“Plan a 3 day Cape Town itinerary avoiding unsafe areas, including cultural, food, and adventure experiences.”
Tools like ChatGPT are available 24/7 and can help you plan safely on the fly.
A Safe and Soulful Experience Worth Trying: 2handsy
If you're looking for something local, creative, and memorable...that is well within a safe zone...check out 2handsy. Located in Cape Town, 2handsy offers a unique handcasting experience where you can sculpt a real life replica of your hand (or hands with one or more special people). It’s ideal for solo travelers, couples, families or even corporate teams who want to leave with a physical memory of their time in South Africa.
Hosting an end of year function or a team building event? 2handsy offers a Pop Up Booth Experience for groups larger than 25, so guests can get their hands casted throughout the function with no disruption.
It’s safe, highly rated, and makes for a beautiful conversation starter...something to remember your time by that’s more than a keychain or postcard.
Final Word: Cape Town Is Worth the Trip
Cape Town isn’t a city to fear...just like anywhere else in the world, it’s a city to understand. With smart planning, reliable resources (yes, even ChatGPT!), and trusted local experiences like 2handsy, your visit can be inspiring, unforgettable, and most importantly...safe.
Don’t just travel. Travel smart. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Visuals courtesy of FreePik & 2handsy
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