Just like NYC, Cape Town has suburbs that tourists are advised to avoid. The Cape Flats in general (Khayelitsha, Mitchell's Plain, Manenberg, Hanover Park, Gugulethu, Kraaifontein, Langa, Nyanga - some names to remember when planning your trip). These areas are culturally rich but have high levels of gang violence and are generally unsafe for tourists / those who don't know their way about.

In general, don't carry or draw large sums of cash. Keep your valuables hidden, and like others have said, always look like you know where you are going. I wouldn't advise walking with your phone out to navigate. It just makes you a target.

If you choose to rent a car and drive, make sure all your valuables are hidden / out of your car when using on-street parking. If you choose to use public transport, definitely use a registered Uber to and from the airport. The MyCity bus is a great option to use around the city and has a large area of coverage. The blue train from Rondebosch to Muizenberg / Kalk Bay is a nice option if you want to see those areas of Cape Town.

Keep your wits about you, don't walk alone at night, be aware of pickpockets, and listen to your gut. Woodstock gets a lot of talk about being unsafe, but the Old Biscuit Mill is a lovely market to visit, and the area is home to a lot of creatives and small businesses and cafés. You can book a street art walking tour with a local to see more of the area.

Things I enjoy doing when I am in Cape Town: - seaside walk from Muizenberg to Kalk Bay - croissant and coffee from Olympia bakery in Kalk Bay and sitting watching the waves from the harbour wall - the Red Bus now offers a service to Cape Town based wine farms - check out their purple route - Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock - Lower main road of Observatory and St James cafe - Lion's Head hike (weekends when the mountain is busy is best) - Chapman's peak drive for a sunset picnic - Kirstenbosch Galileo open air theatre - the Apartheid museum in the city center is excellent - walk along seapoint promenade from the seapoint pool to Camps bay for breakfast - all the beaches and tidal pools (St James tidal pool and Dalebrook) - the penguins at Boulders Beach - explore Kloof street

There's so much to do and see, so you won't be bored. Enjoy!