Routinely ranked as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
We show you both sides of Cape Town, so you can enjoy the city and stay safe.
What we cover
Guides you may find useful
The Essentials
Where it makes sense to stay on a first visit, what to bring, how to think about safety without stress, whether you can drink the tap water, and where walking is actually fun.
Culture
South Africa's mix of cultures, who the Afrikaners are, why rugby matters, where to hear jazz, and the food locals love.
Cape Town has real problems.
Social inequality is real. Crime exists.
It is also a warm, resilient city. We don't want to scare you. We want you to know the risks so you can enjoy the city with confidence.
Our experience
We are a group of people who love Cape Town and South Africa. We have lived in the city for over a decade and seen it change.
Years of Experience
Living and working in Cape Town
A lot of online advice comes from people who visited for a week. We have done the daily commute, sat in traffic for hours, done the grocery runs, studied at university here and dealt with the rental market.
So we know how the neighbourhoods differ and what daily life here is like.
We know the city first-hand.
Cape Town changes quickly. A restaurant that was popular two years ago might have changed, and a quiet neighbourhood could now be busy.
- We favour local advice over generic tourist tips.
- We love this city, its beauty and its complexities.
Our Guides
Start with these guides
Corrections Policy
Spotted something that has changed? Please contact us and we will update it straight away.
Transparency Note
We used AI tools to help check and structure some of the content on this site. A person has reviewed every recommendation.
Limitation of Liability: The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. While we rely on our 10+ years of experience, Cape Town is a dynamic city. We cannot be held liable for any loss or inconvenience. Please always exercise your own judgment and remain vigilant.