Iziko South African Museum and Planetarium

The South African Museum was established in 1865 and will take you through South African history across the ages, from 700 million years ago to today, thanks to many different kinds of topics. The museum also hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions, whether about Africans dinosaurs, our place in the universe or the sea world. Just next, to it is located the Cape Town Planetarium. Both are in the Company Gardens, a fabulous place to spend a quiet moment right in the middle of the City Bowl. These gardens were created by the first Dutch settlers. You will be able to admire what is probably the oldest cultivated pear tree in all of South Africa (circa 1652), wander in the rose garden or the Japanese garden, have a look at the aviary or simply take a moment to observe the squirrels.

1 hour

Parliament of the Republic of South Africa (Pass By)

This is a National Heritage Site, adjacent to the Company Gardens, located at the top of Adderley Street. It is the South African Parliament’s seat for six months of the year. In fact, this building is composed of three different buildings: the original one, built in 1884 and two others respectively built in the 1920s and 1980s. This place is also the site of the Library of Parliament. Right in front of that place, is the impressive statue of Queen Victoria.

Castle of Good Hope (Pass By)

The City Hall is an Edwardian building completed in 1905. It doesn’t host the offices of the city of Cape Town anymore, which are at the Cape Town Civic Centre, but it is the home of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. If you have already been to London, you will recognize the smaller replica of Big Ben. Full of history, this is also the place where in 1990, Nelson Mandela having been liberated after 27 years in prison, made a speech in front of 250,000 people. Just next, the Castle of Good Hope is another historical place of interest in Cape Town. Completed in 1679, it is even the oldest surviving building of South Africa. Sometimes called the “star fort”, it counts five bastions, all having a name: Leerdam, Oranje, Nassau, Castzenellenbogen, and Buuren. During the 18th century, it included a church, workshops, living quarters, offices… and many other facilities, whereas today, it is more of a museum.

Bo-kaap

What would exploring the city be without going through the Bo-Kaap? Famous thanks to its colorful houses and located at the foot of Signal Hill, it is also known as the Cape Malay Quarter, a former Islamic District. The influence of the Malays comes from the 19th century, after the abolition of slavery, when they started to build their houses in this area. At this time, it was called “The Islamic Quarter”. This quarter hosts the earlier mosque of the city, Auwal. Visit the Bo-Kaap Museum, inside the oldest house remained in its original condition.

30 minutes

Signal Hill

It is the lowest hill in Cape Town, rising to 300 meters, a beautiful place to picnic with an incredible view of both on the ocean and the City Bowl. The name “Signal Hill” comes from a semaphore built at the top to communicate with ships thanks to flags about potential hazards or weather conditions. It is also the place where the Noon Gun, an old British artillery battery was established. Which used to sound the alarm when a ship was in danger. It used to sound the alert when a ship was in danger. Nowadays, it still fires a shot at noon every day.

30 minutes

Camp's Bay Beach

Both are well known places for local people and tourists! Driving on Victoria Road from the City Centre along the Atlantic Ocean, you will first see the four Clifton’s beaches which all have their specific public. Continuing to Camps Bay, have a look at the horizon to perhaps catch sight of whales. The famous Blue Flag beaches are perfect to just sunbathe or play sports, even if the water is still a bit cold.

30 minutes