Is Cape Town Safe For Tourists? What We Actually Experienced

On January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 By Side by Side AdventuresIn Cape TownLeave a comment

Cape Town is possibly one of the most beautiful cities we have ever seen, with the mountainous backdrop and the golden sandy beaches, it really does appeal for so many reasons. However, the question in the back of most people’s minds is, is visiting Cape Town safe?

Like most people, we did a bit of research before we headed off to South Africa and we saw mixed reviews and honestly we didn’t really know what to expect, so we are hoping in this post we will be able to answer some questions about safety and what we felt comfortable with and what we didn’t feel so comfortable with to help you make that decision on visiting Cape Town.

How safe we personally felt as a couple

Millions of tourists visit Cape Town every year, and of course each one has completely different experience depending on what you do, where you go and who you may come across. I guess that is the same for any big cities which are popular to visit, but there is a looming online opinion of Cape Town being one of the most dangerous cities in the world.

With one half of us growing up in Zimbabwe, I guess we have a slight advantage in knowing what behaviours to keep an eye on or look out for and avoid but it was still our first time in Cape Town so it was still our first genuine impressions that we can talk about. We personally never felt unsafe during our trip, we were aware of our surroundings and we ensured we took on board all the safety tips anyone would give you for a big city.

Areas we felt comfortable in and around Cape Town

The areas you visit when in Cape Town is highly dependent on what you want to experience on your trip. From the Wine Estates in Stellenbosch to the V&A Waterfront, both in different locations and both have different atmospheres but might not be the reason you are in Cape Town. Based on the areas we visited, we will tell you where we felt most comfortable:

V&A Waterfront– This shopping centre and area has one of the most beautiful backdrop and views across the harbours and the ocean and you can see why so many people visit every year. This is a highly populated area for tourists and we felt very safe walking around day and night.

Green Point– This is actually the area we stayed in, our AirBnB was located on the sea front in line with the stadium and we felt this was the perfect location for what we wanted to do in Cape Town. We didn’t feel unsafe once, despite arriving very late at night and we also walked to and from restaurants at night with no issues. We can’t comment on whether this changes when the stadium is in use, but we assume it’s a case of being slightly more aware with more people in the same area.

Boulders Beach/Simons Town– With the penguins being such a popular tourist attraction, we went to Boulders Beach first thing in the morning when they first opened. This worked really well, as it was very quiet and we could take our time without feeling overcrowded or unsafe at any point. As this is a paid attraction, you are mostly surrounded by fellow tourists who are there to see the penguins which added to a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

We then visited Simons Town on the way back, which felt like a very laid back and tourist friendly town. We stayed for breakfast and had a short wander around and at no point did we feel uncomfortable or on edge.

Table Mountain– Table Mountain is the most famous landmark of Cape Town (and for good reason), so it attracts a huge amount of visitors every single day. There are several ways to experience Table Mountain, but we opted for the cable car. We arrived very early to avoid queues and ended up in the very first cable car up, so it didn’t feel overly crowded. Once at the top, it’s such a large open area but there are always other tourists and staff around so there wasn’t any point we felt unsafe during our visit.

Hiking is another popular option, which we were originally planning to do, so we had already done a lot of research on this. Although we didn’t hike in the end, common advice we came across included not hiking alone, sticking to the popular routes and avoiding hiking in the dark- all worth keeping in mind if you do choose to hike.

Where we were a bit more cautious in Cape Town

CBD Area– We didn’t spend much time in this area, other than driving through and eating at a restaurant one evening but we did feel like we needed to be a bit more cautious here as it felt less tourist- focused. There was a higher visible presence of homelessness and people asking for money or food, so we were more mindful of our surroundings, particularly avoiding having phones or valuables on show.

When we left the restaurant and were waiting for our Uber, the atmosphere felt noticeably less comfortable, and we felt it was especially important to use Uber rather than anyone approaching and offering a ride.

Airport– We read a lot of horror stories about driving around Cape Town, specifically to and from the airport so we did feel a little bit nervous when we realised our flight was late and we wouldn’t be arriving until dark. We did not have a bad experience with this at all but we were much more alert and aware as it’s an area that is often mentioned online in relation to car-related crimes.

You also need to be very mindful of which roads you are taking as you don’t want to end up in the unknown areas, so it is incredibly important to have your route mapped out before you head off. Obviously, if you haven’t hired a car and you are getting an Uber or transfer, then they will know the roads well and which to take and avoid.

Getting around safely

Hiring a car in Cape Town is not a necessity, and it does depend on what your itinerary looks like. For us, as we were travelling around a bit and wanted to visit places like Boulders Beach and the Wine Estates, we felt it was ideal to have the freedom of hiring a car. It is important to do some research before you go on the routes you plan to take, stick to the main roads, and avoid wrong turns into areas you are unfamiliar with. It is also worth mentioning that no matter where you are and how safe you feel, you shouldn’t leave valuables, bags or belongings in the car when parked.

We also found car hire in Cape Town incredibly cheap compared to other places we’ve travelled. For a week, we paid £160 for a larger car, as there were four of us and we had a months’ worth of luggage.

If hiring a car doesn’t feel necessary for your trip, then you can definitely rely on Uber, which we used on a couple of occasions- especially when drinking, as there is zero tolerance for drink driving in South Africa. We found Uber to be cost effective, reliable and won’t break the bank even if you do want to be visiting places like Cape Point or Boulders Beach.

Another option is the Hop on Hop off Bus, while we didn’t personally use this, family and friends have and said it covers most major tourist attractions and is budget friendly. It could be a good option if you’re not keen on driving or using Ubers.

General Safety Tips

These are not specific to Cape Town, but things we kept in mind during our trip:

Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially in the less busy, less touristy areas
Avoid having phones, cameras or valuables on display- especially in a parked car
If you aren’t hiring a car, use Uber, we found it safe, reliable and affordable
Avoid walking around alone at night- and if possible, avoid walking at night altogether
Plan routes in advance to avoid getting lost while driving
Avoid hiking alone or in the dark

Would we go back?

Without hesitation, absolutely!

Cape Town is an incredibly beautiful city with so much to offer, from the stunning scenery and beaches to amazing food and unforgettable experiences. While it’s important to be aware and take sensible precautions, our overall experience was very positive and we felt comfortable throughout our entire trip.

As with many large cities around the world, being informed and prepared makes all the difference. Based on our experience, we wouldn’t let safety concerns alone put you off from visiting Cape Town. We genuinely believe it deserves a place on everyone’s bucket list!

Have you visited Cape Town, or are you planning a trip? We’d love to hear about your experiences or answer any questions in the comments.

This post is based entirely on our personal experience as a couple travelling to Cape Town, and everyone’s trip may differ depending on itinerary and comfort levels.

Is Disney World Worth It for Adults? A Couple’s Honest Take

On January 10, 2026January 11, 2026 By Side by Side AdventuresIn Disney World for AdultsLeave a comment

*Us visiting Magic Kingdom- Photopass Image*

In short, the answer is absolutely!

Many people automatically assume that Disney World is only for families and kids and that adults travelling without children may feel a little out of place. That is not the case AT ALL, and in reality you will probably see just as many couples and adult groups walking around the parks than families.

In this post, we are sharing our honest take on a Disney World trip for adults and couples in the hope that it helps you make that decision on whether it’s truly worth your time and money- as let’s be honest, Disney World is not a cheap holiday.

What does Disney World have that appeals to adults?

Food and Drink

There is a never ending amount of options at Disney World for food and drink, and surprisingly across all the parks, you could indulge in food which is traditionally from each continent in the world, from Asia to Africa, there really is a vast variety. You may also be surprised that Disney World does serve alcohol. The foodie scene in Disney is huge!

In EPCOT specifically, you have the World Showcase which includes 12 countries from around the world and all the food and drink they sell is within that theme. You may have heard of ‘Drinking Around the World’ and that originated from adults spending a day or evening in EPCOT and sampling a drink from each country (if you can make it through them all!) Alternatively, if you aren’t big drinkers then you can do the same but with food or snacks.

As adults, you have far more freedom around when and where you eat- no strict schedules, no rushed meals and no worrying about whether a restaurant will suit children. Eating and drinking at Disney World is not cheap and as a family, you’ll be looking for the more budget, more for your money style meals. As adults, you are more willing to spend that extra amount on an experience you have always dreamed of and you almost know it won’t be wasted in any way.

Theming & Immersion

Disney quite literally spend millions on theming, rides and bringing new ideas to life. As children, you don’t always pay attention to the smaller details, but as adults those details stand out far more- and they help make the money you’ve spent to be there feel worthwhile.

From the background music in every corner of the parks to the queues all being themed, Disney has thought about absolutely everything. It makes time spent walking around or standing in queues so much more immersive than your average theme park in the UK or Europe.

Even if you aren’t a big ride fan, Disney still makes you feel like part of the excitement and adventure. Simply wandering around or people watching, the atmosphere is an experience in itself.

Without children to think about or manage, you are able to notice those small details more- we feel it heightens the experience and you can really appreciate the money and effort Disney put into its parks, which helps explain why they charge what they do.

Nostalgia

Many people grew up watching Disney films or reading Disney books, and those stories tend to stick with us long into adulthood. We all have favourites, films or books which hold memories for us and take us back to being children again. Disney World brings those stories to life in a way that genuinely resonates with adults as much as it does with children.

As a couple and sharing the nostalgia together adds another layer to the trip. You might share the same favourite film that you both grew up with, or find yourselves laughing and swapping stories about characters and memories from your childhood. It turns the experience into something shared, rather than something that feels aimed purely at families and children.

What really stood out to us was how that sense of nostalgia added emotional value. When you are spending Disney-level money, it helps when the experience makes you feel something. That emotional connection makes the cost feel far more justified.

Adrenaline

Disney does have plenty of rides which are aimed at children, but there are also a surprising number of attractions which are equally as fun and exhilarating for adults- something many people don’t realise before visiting. It isn’t all slow gentle rides, they have some big coasters and intense attractions that deliver real adrenaline.

Compared to many UK and European theme parks, Disney’s thrill rides feel much more immersive and polished, and it feels like you are part of the story and not just riding another rollercoaster which adds to the excitement. Most of the parks are open late into the evening, and most families with younger children tend to leave earlier in the day. As adults, this gives you the opportunity to enjoy rides at night which adds another layer of adrenaline and atmosphere.

Our personal favourites are Tron in Magic Kingdom and Guardians of the Galaxy in EPCOT. While both rides are suitable for children of a certain age and height, we felt they were particularly appealing to adults. There are many more thrill rides to choose from, and if adrenaline is something you look for in a theme park, Disney World definitely delivers- and does so in a way that feels worth the money.

What is overrated at Disney World for adults? (and not worth the money)

While we loved our time at Disney World and we will go back again, not absolutely everything is worth the money- especially when visiting as adults. Disney overall can be very expensive, so knowing what to cut out or where to save can make a big difference to your experience.

Expensive Extras

On top of your standard ticket cost, there are a lot of add ons which can quickly stack up and make the trip even more expensive. Whilst some of these options, can add value, its really worth weighing up whether they are good value for money for your type of trip.

From Photopass to Genie+, these extras may sound tempting but as adults travelling on a smart budget, we felt many of them are not worth the prices charged.

Overpriced Dining Experiences

As mentioned above, the variety of dining options in Disney World is endless. From your quick service restaurants to the fine dining experiences, there is something for everyone and for most budgets.

That said, we feel like some of the themed dining and character experiences can be overpriced, with much of the cost going towards the theming rather than the quality of the food. You may have a specific experience you’ve always dreamed of, and that is absolutely fine- but it’s definitely worth planning and budgeting for those, rather than trying to squeeze too many in and risking disappointment.

Merchandise overload

There are merchandise shops in every direction at Disney World and while many of the items are appealing, they are also expensive. We love to browse in the shops, (and they are fantastic for when you need some aircon) but we always head to Disney with a clear budget in mind. Costs can add up once you factor in food, drinks and then merchandise on top of your admission tickets.

It’s worth having a rough idea before you go of what you actually want to buy, especially if you are looking for gifts to take home to your family and friends.

Knowing what to skip allowed us to spend our money on the things which mattered most to us and it made our Disney World trip feel more balanced and valuable as an adult couple.

So, is Disney World worth it for adults?

Disney World is absolutely worth it for adults- but how much you enjoy it depends on how you approach it. Beyond the reputation of being ‘just for kids’, Disney offers incredible food and drink options, world class theming and immersion, genuine adrenaline, and a strong sense of nostalgia that adds real emotion to your experience. As a couple, those shared moments- whether its riding coasters at night, exploring EPCOT or simply soaking up the atmosphere- make the trip feel special.

That said, Disney can be expensive, and not everything is worth the price tag. Being selective with add ons, dining experiences and merchandise allows you to focus your budget on what actually matters to you. For us, taking a smart intentional approach made all the difference and turned Disney World into a balanced, memorable and genuinely enjoyable trip as an adult couple.

This is just the start of our adult focused travel content. We’ll be sharing more couple friendly destinations, honest reviews and smart budget travel tips as we continue our adventures side by side.