Solo Female Travel in Cape Town: Mini Guide for First Timers
- Vero
- Dec 10, 2024
- 10 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Traveling solo as a female in Cape Town may seem intimidating, but this vibrant city is one of the most rewarding destinations for independent travelers. With its amazing beaches, stunning landscapes, and friendly locals, Cape Town offers a mix of adventure, culture, and relaxation that’s perfect for first-time solo female travelers and remote workers. In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know for a safe and unforgettable trip.
Is Cape Town Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Safety is often the first concern when planning a solo trip to Cape Town. While Cape Town does have areas with higher crime rates, as with any major city, being mindful of your surroundings and taking certain precautions can help ensure a safe experience. I was initially uncertain about spending a month there on my own, but it took just one day for me to fall in love with the city. That month turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life!
Stay in well-known areas, use rideshare apps like Uber, and avoid walking alone at night, especially in isolated areas (I personally used Uber all the time after sunset even when I could have walked only one minute). Many solo female travelers, including myself, have had wonderful and safe experiences in Cape Town by following these tips.
Best Neighborhoods for Solo Female Travelers
Cape Town is filled with diverse neighborhoods, each offering something unique. Here are some of the best areas for solo female travelers:
1. Sea Point & Green Point:
For stunning ocean views and easy access to Camps Bay, Sea Point is a great choice. This neighborhood is known for its beachside promenade, which is perfect for morning runs or leisurely walks. It’s safe and vibrant, with plenty of cafes and markets. Green Point is also a great choice, near both the Waterfront and Sea Point promenade.
During my time in Cape Town, I stayed in both Green Point and Sea Point. While Green Point was nice, I definitely preferred my stay in Sea Point.
The Airbnb I found was perfect, with two balconies, one offering stunning ocean views and the other showcasing Lion’s Head. It was less than a minute from the promenade and just as close to the main street, filled with supermarkets, bars, gyms, coworking spaces, markets, and more. I loved my stay there so much that leaving was incredibly hard.
2. V&A Waterfront:
This bustling area is also ideal for first-timers. The V&A Waterfront is lively, safe, and filled with shops, restaurants, and activities. Many accommodations here offer excellent views of the harbor and Table Mountain. It’s a great area to meet other travelers. It felt a bit too touristy for my taste, so I’d only choose it for short stays. However, it’s still a great option overall.
3. Gardens and Tamboerskloof:
Located at the foot of Table Mountain, these neighborhoods are perfect for travelers looking for a quieter vibe. Both areas are near popular attractions like Company’s Garden and Kloof Street with its trendy cafes and boutiques.
What to See and Do in Cape Town
Cape Town is brimming with activities for solo travelers. Whether you’re looking for adventure or a peaceful escape, here are some must-see spots:
1. Hike Table Mountain or Lion’s Head:
If you love hiking, start your day early with a hike up Table Mountain or Lion’s Head for panoramic views of the city. If hiking alone feels intimidating, join a group hike—there are plenty of organized options that are also a great way to meet fellow travelers. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide or joining a the NGG Hiker WhatsApp group where people organize daily hikes in small groups.
If hiking isn’t your thing, you can take the cable car up Table Mountain instead. I suggest purchasing a combo ticket for the hop-on, hop-off bus and cable car it’s what I did, and it was fantastic. Normally, I avoid bus tours when visiting a new city, but after following a friend’s recommendation, I was pleasantly surprised.
Be sure to check the weather before booking though—going up on a cloudy day could mean missing out on one of the best views in the world. Trust me, you’ll understand why Table Mountain is one of the 7 Wonders of the Natural World once you see it!
2. Visit the V&A Waterfront:
Spend an afternoon at the V&A Waterfront, where you can shop, dine, or take a boat trip to Robben Island, the historic site where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Don’t miss the Zeitz MOCAA Museum, a top spot for contemporary African art. From there you can also take a 1-hour cruise tour on a sailboat, it’s extremely affordable and the views of city and Table Mountain from there as just stunning.
3. Explore Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens:
Escape the city and spend a few hours in Kirstenbosch Gardens, one of the world’s most beautiful botanical gardens. It’s a peaceful place to unwind, take photos, or even enjoy a picnic.
4. Visit Boulders Beach and Cape of Good Hope:
No trip to Cape Town is complete without a visit to Boulders Beach to see the famous colony of African penguins. This beach is just outside of the city in Simon’s Town and can be easily reached by Uber or on a guided tour. it’s easily accessible by Uber or as part of a guided tour. I opted for a Full Day Peninsula Tour through Get Your Guide, and it was absolutely incredible. The tour included stops at Bo-Kaap, Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach, and the Cape of Good Hope, an absolute must-see while in Cape Town.
5. Spend the day in Camps Bay and Clifton: Camps Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches of Cape Town bordered by a promenade full of restaurants, clubs, and hotels and it’s just a short drive from Seapoint (around 20 minutes by Uber). The vibe in this area is great and I really recommend you to go there for lunch, spend the afternoon at the beach and then watch the sunset enjoying a cocktail from one of bars in front of the beach.
The Clifton beaches are located in Clifton, one of Cape Town’s most affluent
neighbourhoods, here you wont find any shops, bars, or restaurants, but just beautiful houses and 4 different stunning beaches. Clifton beaches are located between Bantry Bay (end of Sea Point) and Camps Bay (about a 5-minute drive from Camps Bay and a 15-minute drive from the city centre). My favorite one was the 2nd, but all of them are really nice. If you like to do yoga by the beach then check out for sunset yoga classes on Meetup that are organized in Clifton.
6. Do a Safari day trip:
There are several Safari options near Cape Town that offer an amazing opportunity for spending a day in the nature and having the chance to see the Big Five. Aquila Reserve is a great choice for a Cape Town safari day trip as it’s only a couple of hours outside the city. Safaris run three times a day, allowing plenty of options for those on a brief visit. I personally chose this option booking a full day tour on Get Your Guide, including transportation from Cape Town and lunch at the reserve.
Aside from the Big Five, there are 170 bird species on Aquila’s 10,000-hectare reserve and big mammals like giraffes and hippos. Aquila also have an animal rescue centre and Cape leopard research facilities on site. I spent such an amazing day at Aquila and I can only recommend it, the tour is so well organize and Safari drivers are great and they will do everything to make sure you will see all the animals living there.
7. Winelands tour in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek:
Something you cannot miss while in Cape Town is spending (at least) one day in the stunning winelands. The most convenient options you have are Stellenbosch and Franschhoek: the first one offer a vibrant town atmosphere, while Franschhoek is the perfect choice if you’re looking for something more intimate.
For first-timers, I highly recommend booking a full-day Franschhoek hop-on hop-off wine tram tour. I did it myself, and it was such a fun and memorable experience! The tour includes comfortable bus transportation from the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town and a ticket for the hop-on hop-off tram. Each stop along the tram line takes you to a different wine estate, where you can spend as much time as you like exploring the grounds, tasting wines, enjoying delicious food, and even purchasing bottles to take home.
The tram stops at eight different estates, but I suggest visiting three or four at most to make the most of your time and fully enjoy each location. My favorite stops were Vrede en Lust, Boschendal, and Allee Bleue, though all of them were fantastic. The tram ride itself is a lot of fun and a great opportunity to meet fellow travelers—you’ll quickly notice everyone getting tipsy, and before you know it, you’ll be bonding and making new friends. The vibe is amazing! Despite the fact that it rained heavily all day, it was one of the best experiences I had during my time in Cape Town, and I can’t recommend it enough.
One last tip: be sure to drink plenty of water and keep an eye on the time—it’s easy to lose track with all the great wine!"
Getting Around Cape Town
While Cape Town is walkable in certain areas like the Waterfront, Sea Point and Green Point, it’s advisable to use Uber or Bolt for longer distances and nighttime travel. Public transportation, like MyCiTi bus, is safe and affordable for getting around the city during the day.
Even though I love walking, I always used Uber when traveling from Sea Point to other areas. It's incredibly affordable and very safe, and I highly recommend doing the same—especially as a female solo traveler.
Where to Eat as a Solo Traveler
Cape Town has a thriving food scene, offering everything from street food to gourmet dining. Here are some of the best spots for solo female travelers:
Located in Woodstock, this trendy market is perfect for grabbing a bite to eat while exploring local vendors shops. It’s a lively spot where you’ll feel comfortable dining alone or meeting other solo travelers.
For a charming dinner experience, head to Kloof Street House, a stylish restaurant with a cozy atmosphere. Their outdoor seating area is ideal for solo travelers looking to enjoy a relaxed evening.
3. V&A Waterfront Food Market:
If you’re in the mood for variety, the V&A Waterfront Food Market offers plenty of options, from international cuisine to local favorites. You can grab a meal and find a seat overlooking the harbor.
4. Mojo market (Seapoint):
Mojo Market in Sea Point is a permanent indoor venue that is open seven days a week. It’s a great place in which you can go any time of the day and you will be able to have breakfast, lunch, dinner but also work a bit since they have very strong wi-fi a lot of table from which you can spend some time with your laptop. In addition to a huge amount of international food options: from sushi to Korean, from Italian to Thai, you will also find a lot a nice cocktail bars, live music, stands selling clothing and jewelry, and loads of seating. I encourage you to go there for dinner, grab a table and sampling all the cuisine options you will find and if you are in the mood stay longer for a cocktail enjoying some live music or sports games.
5. Hout Bay market:
This market is a true celebration of South African culture, diversity and creativity, Hout Bay Harbour Market is situated inside an old fish factory overlooking the sea and Chapmans Peak in Hout Bay. Having won numerous awards over the years, Bay Harbour Market is accredited with being the original market in Cape Town that paved the way as a major tourist destination and hot spot for locals alike.
Hout Bay Harbour Market is open during the weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a place in which you can buy nice local decoration, clothes or souvenirs, enjoy some amazing food from all over the world as well as some great live music. A great place where to spend some hours especially during a rainy day.
Solo Travel Tips for Cape Town
Stay Aware and Informed:
Always keep your belongings secure and be mindful of your surroundings, especially in busy areas like Long Street. Opt for well-lit streets and avoid walking alone at night, order Uber when it gets dark they usually wait for you to get inside your building before leaving in order to make sure you get inside safe.
Join Local Tours:
If you’re looking to meet other travelers or prefer some company, Cape Town offers plenty of group tours. Consider joining a Cape Peninsula Tour, a wine tour in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, any cultural tour or one of the many hiking tours. Check Get Your Guide for inspiration.
Connect with Fellow Travelers:
Digital nomad and solo traveler community in Cape Town is growing a lot! There are plenty of Facebook but especially WhatsApp groups that will help you to connect with likeminded people very easily. One of the reasons why I loved my experience in Cape Town so much is also thanks to the amazing connection I was able to create during the month I spent there.
Me at Cape of Good Hope - April 2023 Pack for Changing Weather:
Cape Town’s weather can be unpredictable, so pack layers. Even in the summer months, mornings and evenings can be a bit cool, especially near the ocean. It can also be very windy and rainy, so be ready for anything! The ocean water is crazy cold (I think I’m still traumatized by that ahahaha) so people usually swim in some natural swimming pools that you can find in Sea Point or Camps Bay, but you will need a suit if you plan on surfing there.
Be mindful of loadshedding:
South Africa, including Cape Town, still faces the challenge of load shedding, which means scheduled power outages at certain times each day. While the most touristy areas aren't as heavily affected, you'll still experience load shedding daily. Most hotels and tourist apartments have generators to provide some electricity, which is especially helpful if you need Wi-Fi. However, it's crucial to check the daily load shedding schedule in your area using the ESP app—this will help you plan your day more efficiently. For example, I was staying on the 6th floor and always checked the app before bed to know when I'd be able to use the elevator the next day!
Sky full of stars view from my window during loadshedding - April 2023
Conclusion Cape Town is a captivating destination for solo female travelers, offering a blend of adventure, history, and natural beauty. With a little preparation and these tips, you’ll feel confident and empowered to explore this dynamic city.
Whether you’re hiking up Table Mountain, relaxing on the beach, or diving into Cape Town’s rich culture, your solo journey is sure to be unforgettable. If you want to hear more about my experience in Cape Town, follow me on Instagram and send me a DM with your questions.
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