Must-see attractions in Cape Town

  • Cecil Rhodes Statue

    Cape Town

    This bronze statue of the politician and mining magnate Cecil Rhodes was erected in 1908 in the Company's Garden on a plinth carved with the phrase ‘Your…

  • Maiden's Cove

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    This coastal parkland on the border of Clifton and Camps Bay is set to receive a billion-rand facelift, which will introduce new boardwalks, braai …

  • Waalburg Building

    Cape Town

    The Waalburg Building has a facade decorated with bronze and Table Mountain–stone panels depicting scenes of South African life. Opposite is the Western…

  • VOC Vegetable Garden

    Cape Town

    Installed in 2014 at the southern end of the Public Garden, but inspired by the original market garden laid out by Dutch settlers here over 350 years ago…

  • Constantia Uitsig

    Cape Town

    Call in here to sample a crisp sémillon, luscious chardonnay-based MCC brut or limited-release Red Muscat d’Alexandrie in the tasting room, located at the…

  • SA Mission Museum

    Cape Town

    The South African Missionary Society was founded by Reverend Vos in 1799 with the aim of converting slaves to Christianity. This church, dating from 1804,…

  • Bartholomeu Dias Statue

    Cape Town

    In the middle of the roundabout at the Foreshore end of Heerengracht is this statue of the Portuguese sailor Bartholomeu Dias, the first European recorded…

  • Eagle’s Nest

    Cape Town

    Try the viognier or shiraz at this boutique winery nestling among the Constantia vineyards, and enjoy a deli cuts platter (R145) or artisan cheese board …

  • Knot

    Cape Town

    This striking sculpture by Edoardo Villa, a major South African artist of Italian descent, looks like a giant red paper clip bent out of shape. It has…

  • Pier Place

    Cape Town

    This pedestrianised square is scattered with lifelike statues by Egon Tania of people going about their daily lives (chatting on a cellphone, reading the…

  • Rondebosch Common

    Cape Town

    This open common is well used by the local community with various events happening here, including the 5km Parkrun (www.parkrun.co.za/rondeboschcommon)…

  • Clifton 2nd Beach

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    The second of Clifton's four sheltered beaches strung along Victoria Rd. As at the others, vendors hawk drinks and ice creams along the beach, and sun…

  • Former Standard Bank

    Cape Town

    Home to a branch Standard Bank from 1883 to 2011, this grand neo-classical style building, designed by Charles Freeman is topped by a statue of Britannia…

  • Rocklands Beach

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    You can easily wade into the sea from this rocky beach at a kink in the Sea Point Promenade near the animal-themed Promenade Pets benches.

  • Namaqua House

    Cape Town

    On the corner of Shortmarket St, Namaqua House is of the City Bowl's many art deco gems. Baran’s cafe here has a wraparound balcony providing a great view…

  • Jan Hendrik Statue

    Cape Town

    In Church Sq stands a statue of Jan Hendrik, one-time editor of the Zuid Afrikaan newspaper and a key figure behind the drafting of the 1909 South African…

  • Slave Tree

    Cape Town

    A small circular plaque in the traffic island on Spin St marks the location of the Slave Tree under which slaves are believed to have been sold until…

  • Freedom Struggle Heroes

    Cape Town

    Portraits of Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko, Cissie Gool and Imam Haron are painted on the side of a building as if their faces were carved into the side of…

  • Slavery Memorial

    Cape Town

    On Church Sq, this public art project comprises 11 low, black granite blocks engraved with the names of slaves or words relating to slavery, resistance…

  • Clifton 3rd Beach

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    The prettiest of four sheltered beaches strung along Victoria Rd at Clifton is popular with the Capetonian gay crowd, though plenty of straight folk…

  • Market House

    Cape Town

    The most elaborate example of art deco architecture on Greenmarket Sq, this building has majestic stone-carved eagles and flowers on its facade as well as…

  • Mullers Opticians

    Cape Town

    One of the the most beautifully preserved art deco shopfronts in the City Bowl, a landmark since 1920, this is South Africa's oldest optician, founded in…

  • Shell House

    Cape Town

    Another of the art deco buildings on Greenmarket Sq, this building once housed the South African headquarters of petrochemicals company Shell. It's now a…

  • Land & Liberty

    Cape Town

    Prolific street artist Faith47 (https://faith47.com) created this eight-storey-tall mother with a baby strapped to her back pointing up towards Lion’s…

  • First National Bank

    Cape Town

    One of the final projects of Sir Herbert Baker, completed in 1913. Pop inside to see some of the original fittings in the domed central banking hall.

  • Tana Baru Cemetery

    Cape Town

    This old burial ground on Signal Hill is where some of the earliest Muslim settlers to the area are buried, including three prominent holy men.

  • Newlands Water Spring

    Cape Town

    The nearby Newlands Brewery installed this public spring, where locals come to get free, fresh spring water piped from Table Mountain.

  • Kimberley House

    Cape Town

    This art deco building facing Greenmarket Sq is constructed from sandstone and decorated with an attractive diamond-theme design.

  • Castle Entrance Gate

    Cape Town

    The main entrance to the Castle of Good Hope, crowned by a bell tower, replaced the original sea-facing entrance to the fortress.

  • Gugulethu Seven Memorial

    Cape Town

    This granite memorial commemorates seven young black activists from the townships who were murdered by the police here in 1986.

  • Amy Biehl Memorial

    Cape Town

    This memorial marks the spot where the young American anti-apartheid activist died, under tragic circumstances, in 1993.

  • Jetty Square

    Cape Town

    In this square a school of steel sharks by sculptor Ralph Borland respond to passersby by swivelling on their poles.

  • Secunde's House

    Cape Town

    Inside the Castle of Good Hope, the Secunde's House was built in 1695 and housed the second in command at the Cape.

  • Leeuwenhof

    Cape Town

    This estate is the official residence of the Premier of the Western Cape. It is not generally open to the public.

  • Mythological Landscape

    Cape Town

    This tree-like bronze and corten steel sculpture by John Skotnes is situated in a corner of Thibault Square.

  • New Zealand House

    Cape Town

    This grand example of art deco architecture was designed by WH Grant in a style known as Cape Mediterranean.

  • Protea Assurance Building

    Cape Town

    This dazzling white art deco building fronting onto Greenmarket Sq was built in 1928 and renovated in 1990.

  • St Mary’s Cathedral

    Cape Town

    Dedicated in 1851, and having undergone many alterations since, this is Cape Town's main Catholic church.

  • Open Mosque

    Cape Town

    This mosque organises interfaith events, which bring together Muslims, Christians and Jews.