As one of the Mother City’s most loved tourist attractions, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront continues to lure and entertain the masses as they descend on Cape Town to be part of the beauty that is South Africa.
The V&A Waterfront is flanked by the ocean in front of it and the heights of Table Mountain and Signal Hill behind it, providing spectacular views from just about everywhere.
These views are complemented by almost endless shopping opportunities, as well as dining hotspots and cultural experiences. There really is no shortage of things to do, see and experience at the V&A Waterfront.
The busy harbour provides an idyllic backdrop to just about any time spent at the Waterfront, whether popping in for a quick coffee with friends, or preparing for a day of shopping for clothing, accessories, jewellery, African curios, food, boutique labels, and so much more. In terms of entertainment, there are movie houses that show both latest releases as well as recent art films that are not readily available at other cinemas.
With more than 80 restaurants, the V&A Waterfront certainly provides plenty of variety when it comes to choosing a place to eat. Whether you want hearty pub fare, refreshing sushi, take-aways or 5-star cuisine, there is a place to cater to your palate.
There is an enormous craft market that lies outside the main mall, but is part of the Waterfront, called the Redshed. In here, hundreds of African crafts, arts and trinkets can be purchased, many of which are unique, being hand-crafted. The Scratch Patch is the home of thousands of gorgeous semi-precious stones.
This is great for young ones, as they are invited to dive into the stones; touch and feel them before picking out which they would like to take home as a reminder of South Africa.
Robben Island forms a very important part of South African history, since many of our political leaders (including former-president, Nelson Mandela) were imprisoned there for political crimes. The Robben Island Museum is situated at the V&A Waterfront, and the ferries depart from here to take visitors on a tour of the island and its prison. This emotive experience is poignant, and will stay with you for a lifetime.
The Waterfront itself is home to many of Cape Town’s finest hotels, making it ultimately accessible. In addition, it is just a few minutes from the City Bowl and its many attractions, amenities and activities.
A number of yachts and catamarans offer tours of the harbour and cruises that extend further out to sea, showcasing Cape Town from an entirely new perspective.
Other attractions at the V&A Waterfront include:
- The Two Oceans Aquarium
- The Clock Tower
- The Donald Greig Bronze Art Foundary & Gallery
- Iziko Maritime Museum
- Nobel Square
- Chavonne’s Battery
- Time Ball Tower
Useful Waterfront Links:
- V&A Waterfront Attractions
- V&A Waterfront Hotels
- V&A Waterfront Accommodation
- Accommodation in South Africa
- Things to Do in V&A Waterfront
