Attraction
Table Mountain
Cape Town's flat-topped mountain rises above the city, reached by a cableway with rotating cars from Tafelberg Road or on foot via routes such as Platteklip…
V&A Waterfront
Cape Town's working harbour has been redeveloped into a waterfront district with shops, restaurants, hotels, the Zeitz MOCAA museum and the Robben Island ferry terminal.
At a glance
- Type
- Harbour and waterfront district
- Area
- V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa
- Official site
- waterfront.co.za
Good to know
- Shops
- Restaurants
- Watershed craft market
- Robben Island ferries
- Two Oceans Aquarium
Why we recommend it
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront grew out of the city's original harbour, where Prince Alfred, Queen Victoria's second son, laid the first stone of the breakwater in 1860. The Alfred Basin was the first part of the harbour, the Victoria Basin followed, and the area was redeveloped from the late 1980s into a mixed district of shops, restaurants, hotels, offices and homes. It is still a working harbour, and fishing boats, tugs and tour vessels move through the basins every day.
There is a lot packed into a walkable area. The Victoria Wharf shopping centre and the surrounding streets hold hundreds of shops and dozens of restaurants, while the Watershed in the Dry Dock District brings together more than 150 independent makers, designers and traders selling crafts, fashion and homeware. The red Clock Tower from 1882 still marks the entrance to the Alfred Basin, and the Nelson Mandela Gateway beside it is where Robben Island ferries depart.
The Silo District at the western end is home to Zeitz MOCAA, set in a converted grain silo, and the Two Oceans Aquarium sits on Dock Road. Harbour cruises and sunset boat trips leave from the quays, and on clear days Table Mountain provides a backdrop to almost every view.
The Waterfront suits almost everyone, from families with children to couples looking for dinner with a view, and it is one of the easiest areas for first-time visitors to find their feet. It can be busy at weekends and during the December holidays, so come on a weekday morning if you prefer a quieter visit. Most venues are step-free, and there are plenty of places to sit along the water.
MyCiTi buses connect the Waterfront with the city centre and Atlantic Seaboard, and taxis and ride-hailing services are easy to find. There is paid parking in several garages. It works well as an evening destination, as many restaurants stay open late, and it is a short drive or walk from Green Point and De Waterkant. Allow at least half a day if you plan to combine shopping, a museum and a meal, and longer if you are also taking a boat trip or a Robben Island tour from the Nelson Mandela Gateway.
V&A Waterfront FAQs
What is the Watershed?
A building in the Dry Dock District where more than 150 independent makers, designers and traders sell their work.
Do Robben Island ferries leave from here?
Yes, from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the Waterfront.
Is it still a working harbour?
Yes. Fishing boats, tugs and tour vessels use the basins every day.
How old is the Clock Tower?
It dates from 1882 and stands at the entrance to the Alfred Basin.
Which museums are at the Waterfront?
Zeitz MOCAA in the Silo District, and the Two Oceans Aquarium is also here.
How do I get there?
By MyCiTi bus from the city centre, taxi or ride-hailing service, or car using the paid garages.
Is it good for families?
Yes. It has the aquarium, boat trips, open spaces and many family-friendly restaurants.
When is it quietest?
Weekday mornings are usually calmer than weekends and the December holidays.