Is Cape Town Safe? Visiting South Africa's Capital, Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa's most famous city is extremely popular among visitors flocking to this beautiful country - especially that it's surrounded by nice beaches from one side, and from the other - spectacular (although not too high) mountains offering some amazing hike opportunities.

However, what I've noticed is that many of the Westerners tend to see mostly the "posh" places around the city, such as the lavish waterfront, luxurious coastline or the most recognizable landmark - the table mountain. These spots are amazing indeed, but what about the very center of Cape Town? What's it like there? Why is it often omitted? How do the ordinary locals get by with their lives? And - the most important thing - is it safe to visit?

South Africa doesn't have a good reputation regarding safety. The first impressions of Cape Town, however, seem to prove otherwise, though. During our ride from the airport to the city, we have seen some contrast - but it wasn't nowhere near as strong as in South Asia or Central America. Cape Town looked clean, colorful, very modern and well organized. Due to our limited budget, we decided to stay in a hostel in the city center, unlike most of the visitors who prefer to book their accommodation somewhere along the coast. This way we had a chance to visit the core of the city better and understand its turbulent history. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).