South Africa · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Cape Town scores 37/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. Cape Town is safe for visitors who exercise increased caution, particularly by avoiding isolated areas after dark and securing valuables in tourist zones. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
South Africa · Assessed 24 September 2026
37
/ 100
Safer than ~23% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Exercise Increased Caution
“Updated to reflect information on driving at night and addition of the terrorism risk indicator.  Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Advisory summary: Violent crime is common and includes robbery, rape, carjacking and mugging.”
Updated Tue, 27 May 2025
Full advisory →No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-07-21T14:07:51Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for South Africa: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:35.335077-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robbery, carjacking, and mugging are common in certain areas, particularly after dark and in isolated spots like hiking trails or township peripheries.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching are frequent in crowded tourist areas, markets, and on public transport, especially where distractions occur.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Moderately positive
46/100
Most visitors report feeling safe during the day in tourist areas when using common sense, but express heightened caution at night or in less familiar neighborhoods due to crime concerns.
Cape Town is safe for visitors who exercise increased caution, particularly by avoiding isolated areas after dark and securing valuables in tourist zones.
While Cape Town offers world-class attractions, it faces serious crime challenges including armed robbery, carjacking, and pickpocketing, especially in certain neighborhoods and after sunset. Recent data shows a slight decline in murders in the Western Cape but persistent violent crime in hotspots. Visitors generally report feeling safe during daylight hours in tourist areas when precautions are taken.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Cape Town remains a destination of extraordinary natural beauty and cultural richness, but travelers must navigate real safety risks, particularly crime. The city’s safety profile reflects a stark contrast: while tourist hubs like the V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay, and the City Bowl are generally secure during daylight hours, serious violent crime — including armed robbery, carjacking, and mugging — persists in certain neighborhoods and spikes after dark. Recent incidents underscore these dangers: in September 2026 alone, a mass shooting at a house party left 11 dead, and police investigated the killings of seven women amid nationwide protests against gender-based violence. These events, reported by ABC News and Reuters, highlight ongoing security challenges despite an 8% year-on-year drop in Western Cape murders early in 2026, as noted by markmeets.com.
Street-level risks are acute and well-documented. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are rampant in crowded areas such as Long Street, Greenmarket Square, and on MyCiTi buses, often involving distraction tactics like fake petitions or street performances — a scam frequently cited in recent travel guides and local reports. Taxi scams, including overcharging and unnecessary detours, remain a concern, especially for arrivals at Cape Town International Airport. More insidiously, romance scams originating in South Africa have led to significant financial losses for foreign visitors, with CBS News reporting in September 2026 that suspects were extradited to the U.S. for swindling American women out of $6 million. These patterns confirm that while violent crime grabs headlines, opportunistic and deceptive crimes target tourists daily.
To stay safe, visitors should adopt disciplined habits: use ride-hailing apps or pre-arranged transport after dark, never walk alone in isolated areas or on hiking trails like Lion’s Head at night, and keep valuables concealed or stored in hotel safes. Stick to busy, well-lit streets in established tourist zones during daylight, and avoid townships unless on an official, reputable guided tour. While many travelers report feeling safe when exercising caution — reflected in a moderately positive consumer sentiment score of 55 — complacency is dangerous. The city’s beauty is undeniable, but safety in Cape Town depends entirely on awareness, preparation, and respect for local conditions.
06 · After Dark
37% of people in South Africa say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2022).
Armed robbery, carjacking, and mugging are common in certain areas, particularly after dark and in isolated spots like hiking trails or township peripheries.
No specific districts were flagged as no-go areas after dark, but the usual night-time rules apply: stay in lit, populated areas and keep your phone out of sight.
07 · Questions
Cape Town is safe for visitors who exercise increased caution, particularly by avoiding isolated areas after dark and securing valuables in tourist zones. While Cape Town offers world-class attractions, it faces serious crime challenges including armed robbery, carjacking, and pickpocketing, especially in certain neighborhoods and after sunset. Recent data shows a slight decline in murders in the Western Cape but persistent violent crime in hotspots. Visitors generally report feeling safe during daylight hours in tourist areas when precautions are taken. (Assessed 24 September 2026.)
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
Cape Town ranks #9 of 9 South Africa destinations we've assessed, scoring 37/100. See the South Africa safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Browse the South Africa safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: cape-town.json (CC BY 4.0).
