If you have more time in Cape Town, here are some great areas to see. The sights 1-6 are all in the central historic area and can be visited in a day.
- Bo-Kaap
- District Six Museum
- Castle of Good Hope
- Company’s Gardens and Museum Mile
- Greenmarket Square
- Gold of Africa Museum
- Signal Hill
- Sunset Cruise
- Sundowner
- More Fun Options
See Also:
1. Bo-Kaap
Also known as the Malay Quarter, this area on the northeast side of Table Mountain is predominately Muslim with a unique culture and restaurants. It is also famous for it’s narrow cobbled streets lined with Cape Dutch style buildings brightly colored in pink and yellow and turquoise. Stop into the Bo-Kaap Museum to see a recreation of life in the 19th century.
2. District Six Museum
District Six was an area that housed over 60,000 people until it was declared “whites only” in 1966 and wiped clean. The project was so controversial that nothing was ever built, and the area remains bare. This museum commemorates the people that lived here and their vibrant culture. Mon-Sat 9:00am-4:00pm.
3. Castle of Good Hope
Built in 1679, the Castle of Good Hope has been a military base ever since and including today. It is more of a fortress than a castle. There is a Military Museum with uniforms and weapons plus a dungeon and torture chamber. The key ceremony and canon firing occurs daily at 10:00am and 12:00pm. Open 9:00am – 4:00pm (guided tours 11am/12pm/ 2pm).
4. Company’s Gardens and Museum Mile
The Company’s Gardens were actual vegetable gardens to supply the ships, then became a botanical garden, and continues to be a lovely city park with exotic plants, fountains, and statues. Around the gardens are many museums and tourist sights worth exploring including:
- Parliament
- Slave Lodge
- South African National Museum
- South African Museum
5. Greenmarket Square
North of the Company’s Gardens by a few blocks is the open air market of Greenmarket Square. It great for shopping, outdoor dining, and appreciating quality art-deco architecture.
6. Gold of Africa Museum
This museum has very sparkly displays of the history and artistry of the African gold industry. There are working artisans downstairs as well. They offer a night tour with flashlights and glass of wine with gold flakes. Mon-Sat 10:00am-5:00pm.
Follow your visit to the museum with dinner at the Gold Restaurant next door, which offers a 15-course dinner of local South Africa food with live drummers, singers, and puppetry.
7. Signal Hill
Drive or hike to the top for amazing views at sunset (particularly on full moon nights!). The Noon Day Gun fires every day except Sunday.
8. Sunset Cruise
- Jolly Roger Pirate Boat: http://www.pirateboat.co.za/
- Sunset champagne cruise on a 58-foot Gaff Rigged Schooner: http://www.waterfrontboats.co.za/spirit-of-victoria.html
9. Sundowner
Head to glitzy Camps Bay for a walk along the Promenade or pick from your choice of trendy bars and restaurants to enjoy the sunset.
Sea Point is an excellent choice for ice cream for the kids.
10. More Fun Options:
- Cape Sidecar Adventures: http://sidecars.co.za/
- Open-top double-decker sightseeing bus (also offers discounts to the Aquarium and other museums and restaurants): http://www.citysightseeing.co.za/
- Old Biscuit Mill (Saturday morning market): http://theoldbiscuitmill.co.za/
- High tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel: http://www.mountnelson.co.za/web/ocap/afternoon_tea.jsp
- Sea kayaking at Clifton Beach: http://kayak.co.za/guided-trips/kaskazi-sea-kayaking-cape-town/
- Helicopter Tours: http://civair.co.za/ or http://www.nacmakana.com/
- Jewel Tours and Showroom: http://www.jewelafrica.com/
- Van Ryn’s Brandy Distillery: http://www.vanryns.co.za/
- Tickets for special events: http://online.computicket.com/web/
- Tickets for Robben Island, Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts, and more: http://webtickets.co.za/
- 10 Most Popular Tours in Cape Town >>
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