Solo, Safe And Stylish: The Cape Town Girl’s Guide To Solo Travel

POV: You’ve booked a solo trip to Cape Town and your main mission is simple - feel safe, inspired, and maybe a little obsessed with your own independence. Luckily, Cape Town was made for this. With a coastline that belongs on a postcard, mountains that look like movie sets, and a food scene that refuses to be average, it’s the perfect solo getaway that feeds both your soul and your camera roll.

Cape Town is creative, vibrant, and full of spaces that make you feel at home (especially if you know where to stay, work, eat, and explore). Let’s get into it.

Where to stay (safe, stylish, and solo-girl approved)

Cape Town’s neighbourhoods each come with their own personality. Here are our top picks for feeling safe, connected, and perfectly placed to explore: 

De Waterkant: Think cobbled streets and colourful buildings. Neighbourgood Cape Quarter and Neighbourgood Napier both put you in the middle of the action with access to Cape Town top attractions and trendy restaurants. Plus, walking distance to Bree Street and the V&A Waterfront.

Green Point: Leafy, lively, and close to the ocean. Neighbourgood Hill & Hill Suites, Neighbourgood Ravenscraig and Neighbourgood Romney give you access to cute cafés, the famous and must-walk promenade, and a modern, social vibe. Perfect for solo travellers who want comfort with a side of community.

Inner City: Right in the heart of Cape Town’s trendiest foodie moment, just behind Bree Street. Stay at Neighbourgood 113 Loop if you like being surrounded by rad restaurants, galleries, and hidden wine bars. Great walkability, safe during the day, and ideal for mingling with locals and fellow travellers.

Solo tip: Uber is safe and cheap for getting around. Neighbourgood also offers community events, which are perfect for meeting people without the awkward small talk.

Where to work (vibes + WiFi = productivity mode)

Solo travel = solo work days. Whether you’re logging in or unpacking your latest identity crisis, you’ll feel something here:

Nice Café: Found next to Church House (1A Queen Victoria St) and inside our East City location (60 Corporation St), Nice serves strong coffee, chocolate chip cookies you’ll think about later, and plenty of plug points.

Neighbourgood co-working spaces: All Neighbourgood workspaces come with the good stuff: great coffee, cool community vibes, and plenty of chances to network. Whether you’re a freelancer or digital nomad, you’ll find hot desks and inspiring spaces that make work feel way less like… well, work. With spots all over Cape Town - from the Inner City to De Waterkant - there’s a desk with your name on it, always close to a Neighbourgood living space.

Our Local: A leafy, light-filled café on Kloof Street with WiFi, wholesome brunches, and a laid-back, warm atmosphere that makes it easy to stick around for the day.

The Ladder: Along the Street of Bree, this cosy café-slash-concept store serves up flat whites, flaky fresh pastries, and seriously good vibes. It’s the kind of spot where you might come to work for an hour and end up staying all afternoon.

Stellski: Tucked inside Neighbourgood Bree Street, it’s your go-to for bagels, cappuccinos, and casual work sessions.

Solo tip: Cape Town has a thriving digital nomad scene. Check out co-working events or remote work meetups to connect IRL.

Where to eat (yes, you can dine alone like a queen)

Good news: Cape Town’s dining scene is solo-diner friendly. Bonus points for spots where eating alone feels chic, not awkward.

Oranjezicht City Farm Market: Casual, outdoors, and full of fresh eats. Great for solo grazing while browsing local stalls.

Between Us: A light, airy spot on Bree Street known for great brunches and friendly service.

The Power & The Glory: A café by day, laid-back bar by night. Perfect for people-watching with a sandwich and glass of vino.

Kloof Street House: Fancy without feeling formal. Treat yourself to solo fine dining surrounded by fairy lights and old-world charm.

Club Kloof: Fancy without feeling formal. Treat yourself to solo fine dining where the cocktails hit just right and you’re having dinner in Italy - no passport needed.

Solo tip: Many places have bar seating - ideal if you prefer a casual vibe when dining solo.

Things to do (adventures you can totally do solo)

Cape Town is a mix of chill, culture, and adventure. Here’s where to embrace all three:

Table Mountain: Go up via cable car (it’s safe and tourist-friendly). Skip hiking solo - rather join a group hike or TrailFit fitness adventure.

Bo-Kaap: Bright houses, rich history. Join a walking tour to explore safely and learn something new.

Seapoint Promenade: Walk, jog, or rollerblade along the oceanfront. Safe during daylight and full of friendly locals (and the cutest pups you’ll ever see in your life).

Wine Tram: A solo day trip to Franschhoek on a hop-on-hop-off tram. Gorgeous vineyards + zero driving stress = bliss.

Neighbourgood Community Events: Social runs, yoga sessions, and rooftop get-togethers - these are all great for meeting people without the change to small talk spiral.

Solo tip: Join our local Whatsapp community groups for real-time advice and meetups

Solo girl safety 101

Let’s be smart while having fun:

After dark, it’s best to stick with Uber. Always double-check that the car and registration match the app, and ask the driver who they’re picking up to be sure it’s your ride. Minibus taxis and unregistered cabs / non-Ubers should be avoided.

Avoid walking alone at night in quiet areas. De Waterkant, Green Point, and Bree are safe by day, but always stay vigilant.

Stick to using ATMs inside malls or banks, and avoid accepting help from strangers while you're at the machine.

Try to keep valuables out of sight and avoid using your phone openly on the street, especially after dark (Cape Town’s laid-back, but petty theft exists).

Trust your gut. Friendly locals? Yes. Random dudes being pushy? No.

Download Namola - South Africa’s safety response app.

Download Google Maps offline for those zero-signal moments.

You’ve got this

Solo travel in Cape Town hits that sweet spot between exploring and exhaling. You’ll meet people who make you laugh, find sunsets that stop you in your tracks, and realise how incredible it is to do things on your own terms.

Cape Town is waiting for you, with banana bread, beaches, and big energy. Pack your confidence, your comfiest shoes, and we’ll see you at Neighbourgood.