JNB or Cape Town
Dec 21, 2011, 1:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Minneapolis and Phoenix-2 weeks per month each
Programs: Delta DM, MM
Posts: 477
JNB or Cape Town
We have an opportunity to go to South Africa in January, but can’t decide between Cape Town and Johannesburg. We aren’t much for large tourist attractions, and like to roam and see how people live. We like street foods and street markets. While we are not afraid, we are concerned about crime reports. Recommendations?
Dec 22, 2011, 5:23 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,662
Cape Town. It's great for wandering around. If you are interested you can visit the District 6(?) Museum which tells about apartheid. I think you can also book tours to a township. Of course if you go to Joberg you can go to Soweto.
But Cape Town is stunning. Rent a car and go to wine country, visit penguins, see Haut Bay (one of the most spectacular bays I know of). I walked around in the evening in the tourist area with no problems. Great restaurants. I like staying downtown but you can also stay on the waterfront.
But Cape Town is stunning. Rent a car and go to wine country, visit penguins, see Haut Bay (one of the most spectacular bays I know of). I walked around in the evening in the tourist area with no problems. Great restaurants. I like staying downtown but you can also stay on the waterfront.
Dec 27, 2011, 11:33 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 72
We have an opportunity to go to South Africa in January, but can’t decide between Cape Town and Johannesburg. We aren’t much for large tourist attractions, and like to roam and see how people live. We like street foods and street markets. While we are not afraid, we are concerned about crime reports. Recommendations?
Dec 28, 2011, 3:55 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: Various
Posts: 6,526
So, it's clear that Cape Town is a lot safer for walking around than Jo'burg! However, are there areas of central Cape Town that are "unsafe," or is it okay to stroll about as long as one takes the usual precautions of being aware of the surroundings, not flaunting electronics, etc. (like in any city)? We're staying at the Westin on Lower Long St for a few days, and I'd like to be able to, say, walk down Long St to the Company Gardens, over to the District 6 museum, etc. I assume that is all okay?
Jan 4, 2012, 2:13 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,731
So, it's clear that Cape Town is a lot safer for walking around than Jo'burg! However, are there areas of central Cape Town that are "unsafe," or is it okay to stroll about as long as one takes the usual precautions of being aware of the surroundings, not flaunting electronics, etc. (like in any city)? We're staying at the Westin on Lower Long St for a few days, and I'd like to be able to, say, walk down Long St to the Company Gardens, over to the District 6 museum, etc. I assume that is all okay?
It's been several years since I've been in Cape Town, but in high school we usually hopped on the train from Stellenbosch to Cape Town (not the most wise or safest for two teenage girls) and wandered around Green market square. Be aware, last time I was there was tailed by a very shade character for about 30 minutes and approached by his equally shady partner. I quickly hightailed it out of there and dissappeared into a coffee shop. I don't know how much it has changed, but Green market square is a very fun experience. For something non-touristy, walk over to the Golden Acre shopping mall. A large part of the mall is actually underground. The Castle is close by too and a good visit. The waterfront is also very pleasant, but very touristy. Sea point has a nice beach front promenade.
Avoid walking around at night.
Avoid the taxi ranks.
And if you find yourself in a place called Cape Flats....run!
Jan 4, 2012, 10:11 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: Various
Posts: 6,526
That should be fine. That's all still within the CBD. I've always enjoyed the Company Gardens. There is also the South African national museum and the national gallery at the end of the Gardens. The museum has a planetarium attached.
It's been several years since I've been in Cape Town, but in high school we usually hopped on the train from Stellenbosch to Cape Town (not the most wise or safest for two teenage girls) and wandered around Green market square. Be aware, last time I was there was tailed by a very shade character for about 30 minutes and approached by his equally shady partner. I quickly hightailed it out of there and dissappeared into a coffee shop. I don't know how much it has changed, but Green market square is a very fun experience. For something non-touristy, walk over to the Golden Acre shopping mall. A large part of the mall is actually underground. The Castle is close by too and a good visit. The waterfront is also very pleasant, but very touristy. Sea point has a nice beach front promenade.
Avoid walking around at night.
Avoid the taxi ranks.
And if you find yourself in a place called Cape Flats....run!
It's been several years since I've been in Cape Town, but in high school we usually hopped on the train from Stellenbosch to Cape Town (not the most wise or safest for two teenage girls) and wandered around Green market square. Be aware, last time I was there was tailed by a very shade character for about 30 minutes and approached by his equally shady partner. I quickly hightailed it out of there and dissappeared into a coffee shop. I don't know how much it has changed, but Green market square is a very fun experience. For something non-touristy, walk over to the Golden Acre shopping mall. A large part of the mall is actually underground. The Castle is close by too and a good visit. The waterfront is also very pleasant, but very touristy. Sea point has a nice beach front promenade.
Avoid walking around at night.
Avoid the taxi ranks.
And if you find yourself in a place called Cape Flats....run!