Vacationers Guide to the Safe Areas to Stay in Cape Town

Safe areas to stay in Cape Town

Holidays are meant to be fun, carefree times. Make sure your visit to Cape Town lives up to your expectations by booking your accommodation in a safe area to stay.

With all its beauty, glitz and glamour, Cape Town is an African city. Poverty and joblessness can cause crime. Therefore, common sense and the necessary precautions are important to safeguard you and your family.

When in any unfamiliar city, tourists should avoid high-risk areas. As locals, we can help you find a place to stay in one of the many safe areas to stay in Cape Town.

Cape Town, similar to other South African cities, do have high crime areas. It is, however, easy to distinguish those areas from safe tourism areas. Let us help you choose the right areas.

You can use our itinerary planning guide; start planning your itinerary to ensure you do not end up in a crime hotspot. Read through our safety tips below to ensure you know how to stay safe in Cape Town.

Which are the safe suburbs to stay?

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. They have CCTV cameras, alarm and armed response systems. They are also fitted with security doors and burglar bars for guests’ safety. Book your self-catering accommodation in the best area to stay in.

The safest place to stay in Cape Town

Table Mountain & the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town
The V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain

The V&A Waterfront is South Africa’s top tourist attraction. Every day, 21 000 people come to work there. It receives up to 180 000 visitors per day in peak season. A total of 1 500 people live there permanently. It is South Africa’s most visited destination with 24 million visits annually.

It is likely to be the safest place to stay in Cape Town because:

  • It is a contained area with limited access roads
  • There is good security – CCTV cameras and security patrols
  • It is an upmarket area with a reputation of being safe for tourists

The apartments in the Waterfront is not the only place where tourists can stay safe. The V&A Waterfront Marina offers 1, 2 and 3 bedroomed serviced, self-catering apartments, which may not suit every holidaymaker’s needs. Especially when you are travelling in a group or as an extended family.

Larger villas are available in most of the other safe suburbs to stay in Cape Town. Browse rentals in other areas on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard where you can stay safe.

Ready to look for accommodation?

Being able to stay at the V&A Waterfront provides great peace of mind to travellers, especially those coming to Cape Town for the first time.

Phone us on +27 21 201 1217 and ask to speak to one of our friendly experts.

Neighbourhoods of Cape Town to avoid

Crime stats indicate that although Cape Town Central is much safer than any township area, robberies do happen. The same goes for theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles and theft from motor vehicles. A reason for this is the high density of people. Another is the nightlife culture, which conceals criminals.

Violent crimes are almost exclusively committed in Cape Town’s township areas. Make sure you do not end up in the wrong place by accident. As a general rule, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the city’s layout on Google Maps and avoid the townships around Cape Town.

A word of warning: do not embark on a self-drive township tour. It is one of the most popular things to do for tourists. If you wish to explore a township, appoint a reliable and experienced tour guide to take you. You can also book an organised township tour with a reputable operator. Make sure you visit areas inside the township that are safe for tourists. In addition, plan your township tours during daylight hours.

We can assist with recommendations. Please feel free to contact us for guidance.

Tips for staying safe in Cape Town

Crime happens in most cities in the world and Cape Town is no exception. Stay aware and take note of strangers around you.

  1. Do not advertise your belongings. Leave expensive jewellery at home. Carry the necessary cash, card and mobile phone with you. Do not place your wallet and phone in your pocket. It is accessible to petty thieves.
  2. Make use of your holiday rentals’ safe and lock up any valuables and your passport.
  3. Do not venture off the beaten track without a reputable guide. Hiking Cape Town’s mountain trails are amazing, but you need a guide. Alternative, join a big group hike.
  4. Keep to upmarket tourism areas and you will be safe.
  5. Crime often increases during the festive season. The December school holidays see huge crowds of people flocking to beaches. Make sure you stay vigilant during peak season.
  6. Remember to familiarise yourself with and make use of the alarm system at your self-catering villa or apartment.
  7. Trust your instincts. Do not go to areas or places where you feel exposed.

When in doubt about anything, ask Cape Town Villas first. Our professional team will make sure you stay and play in safe areas.

Why choose luxury accommodation?

View of the V&A Waterfront Marina
View of the V&A Waterfront Marina

Just like anywhere else in the world, safety cannot be guaranteed, but with our safety tips, you can minimise the chances of anything untoward happening.

In our opinion, luxury accommodation is the best option for a safe stay in Cape Town. Self-catering accommodation comes with complete privacy. Holidaymakers do not have to worry about strangers sharing facilities. Reputable booking agents supply service staff. These staff members undergo rigorous testing and checking. Their work is monitored.

If you feel you need help booking your self-catering stay, call us on +27 21 201 1217. We can help you select the best time to visit Cape Town and find a rental in one of the safe areas to stay.

Stay at South Africa's top tourist attraction

In terms of location, proximity and facilities, the luxury apartments at the V&A Waterfront Marina are unbeatable. Let us help you find the right apartment to rent.
Phone us on +27 21 201 1217 and ask to speak to one of our friendly experts.