Recent experiences of Cape Town

[Forgottenmyphone]

Has anyone been in the last few years? I’ve heard mixed reports - some people saying it’s perfectly safe, others saying they’ve been mugged, accosted, felt unsafe etc…. Thanks

underwhelming

We’ve just got back. The city itself is OK, some of our friends loved it but we were so so. We were careful and didn’t feel unsafe at all. We preferred the wine lands and Houts Bay / Camps Bay to the city itself.

@Forgottenmyphone We have always felt safe but we stick to tourist areas and are careful about where we go and what we have with us.We always take advice from where we are staying about where to go and where not to go. I’m not sure Brits are routinely mugged and robbed. Mostly SA people directing bad behaviour at other SA residents. Never wear flash jewellery, flash cash or expensive belongings. Fit in and enjoy it. The Cape peninsular is generally safe but take care!

SA has had a reputation for some time by the way. It’s not new!

Amazing! We love Cape Town and have always felt safe. We don't spend heaps of time there as head out to the wine lands but it's a fabulous place

I found it very safe and it’s my favourite place in the world.

Thanks for the replies. I’ve always wanted to go. Might get the chance soon.

Let me know if I can help as it's my turf 😃

There was a recent rating and CT scored 2nd place out of top 10 worldwide places to visit.

Number one was NY.

We were there last summer. Stayed in Camps Bay which was lovely and felt very safe. Easy Uber ride into the centre to visit museums (go to the District Six museum) to the V&A waterfront (very safe but touristy) etc. We walked around during the daytime with no worries.

Thanks again to everyone and especial thanks to @isthismylifenow - I may well get in touch with you (hopefully soon!)

@isthismylifenow Been to NY and personally don’t understand why it was rated at number 1.

Me too, I'm not sure how it beat Cape Town either.

But they are two completely different places with completely different vibes imo. NY is all hustle and bustle. CT is very laid back. Maybe the voting folk preferred the hustle 😃

Following with interest. We have 6 nights this summer.

Can anyone recommend an area to stay?

Camps Bay, budget permitting

Camps Bay is great - beach/walks plus loads of bars/restaurants and buzz.

We stayed at the one and only but I realise that might not be in budget. If it is, it's wonderful and I wholeheartedly recommend.
I don't think you'll want 6 nights in CT. Be sure to get out to Frankschoek/Stellenbosch the winelands are truly beautiful!
Enjoy, I'm so jealous

Oh yes! The Wine Tram 🍷🤪

@thelittlestkiwi The seaside areas are always popular. So Camps Bay, Bantry Bay and Clifton are popular. Plus look at Newlands and smarter areas. We have stayed at Four Rosmead. Perfect in my view! All hosts will brief you on safety but mg top tip is to stay at a guest house. Waterfront is a bit touristy. Other areas are better! Some guest houses in SA are truly outstanding and they are friendly and helpful in terms of where to eat out etc. The Greenwood guides are helpful but guest houses in SA are amazing!

Also NY is not remotely similar or comparable to Cape Town. In the same way that London isn’t. Or Paris. The vast amount of things to see and do in NY put it in a different league. However that is not to say that CT isn’t wonderful. It is but just not comparable. The Silo in CT is a must visit for the bar though!

We were there just last month and felt 100% safe. There are places that you shouldn't go and any local will advise on that. The city itself is ok to stay in but if you can hire a car and get out I'd highly recommend that. As mentioned Camps Bay, Bantry Bay, Sea Point etc - all lovely and very safe. Further afield Hermanus is just lovely as is Betty's Bay. Also consider Simon's Town, Kalk Bay, Muizenberg and places like that. We stayed in a fabulous hotel but it was in the CBD with not much worth looking at in the immediate vicinity. Ubers are insanely cheap and plentiful.

The first time I went I stayed in Bantry Bay, the second at The Table Bay hotel V.&A waterfront. I had a car both times, driving is very easy and Chapman’s Peak is one of my favourite drives.

We went last year - felt safe with DH who is tall & looks tough despite being a softy. I wouldn't have felt safe without him.

We took Uber everywhere- even a few blocks at night.

I cannot imagine where people go so they don’t feel safe? We didn’t walk far but local restaurants are fine to walk to. Busy areas with restaurants aren’t a problem but of course you keep your belongings close! What are South African people doing do that people don’t feel safe around them?

What are South African people doing do that people don’t feel safe around them?

The usual murder, rape, or mug them.
You have to be sensible where you go. I felt safe both times as stick to tourist activities.