V&A Waterfront: the perfect place to go shopping in Cape Town, South Africa

Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

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Victoria & Alfred (V & A) Waterfront in the heart of Cape Town is the perfect place to find outdoor attractions, do tourist activities, go shopping, eat in delicious restaurants, visit museums and much more.

1. Outdoor attractions

a. Cape Wheel

Installed almost 5 years ago, Cape Wheel is one of the most representative symbols of V & A Waterfront. From it you can have incredible views of the city.

  • Operating hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. at 10:30 p.m.
  • Cost: Adults $130 ZAR = $11 USD, Children (4-15): $60 ZAR = $5 USD.

Read more about Cape Wheel here

Cape wheel - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

b. Artistic stage

Near the Cape wheel there is a stage where local artists perform, you can also see marimba bands playing near and there are other musicians playing next to Alfred Mall and Nobel Square.

c. Yellow frames

V & A Waterfront has two of the seven yellow frames that capture Table Mountain, one of the New Seven Natural Wonders.

The oldest Yellow Frame is near the bridges, the new one is in Silo District.

Read more about the Yellow Frames here

yellow frame - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

d. Nobel Square

This is a very interesting historical place. This square has this name because it has the statues of the four South Africans who received the Nobel Peace Prize.

The late chief Albert Luthuli, archbishop Desmond Tutu and former presidents Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk.

Read more about Nobel Square here

nobel square - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

e. Running Routes

V & A Waterfront has two circuits for runners with 2.5 and 5 km routes. I recommend you to use them very early in the morning when they are free because later they are also used by people who are just walking and visiting the place.

See the running routes map here

2. Touristic Activities

a. Helicopters and boats

For tourists visiting V & A Waterfront, it is easy to find stands mounted by tour operators. There are several modalities of helicopter tours and boat rides – as sunset cruises with champagne.

Read more about touristic activities here

helicopters - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

b. Sharks and Scuba diving

There are many customized tours such as shark diving and sea diving that can also be booked at V&A Waterfront.

Read more about sharks and scuba diving here

scuba diving - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

c. Up Cycles

If you want to explore Cape Town, renting a bicycle is a great option. UpCycles has a base in the newly created Silo District.

Read more about Up Cycles in the official website

upcycles - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

d. City Sightseeing

Another option to get to know all the important sites in Cape Town in a short time is to take the City Sightseeing red bus. It has a base next to Two Oceans Aquarium.

More information in the City Sightseeing official page

city sightseeing - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa



3. Shopping

In addition to Victoria Wharf which is the main shopping center, there are 3 other smaller shopping centers: Alfred Mall, Water Shed and Clock Tower.

a. Victoria Wharf

Victoria Wharf ir the mall with more shops and restaurants. You even have a Pick n Pay supermarket in the basement.

Read more about Victoria Wharf in the official website.

Victoria wharf - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

b. Alfred Mall

Although it is much smaller, Alfred Mall has classy stores and with main focus on jewelry and art.

Read more about Alfred Mall here

Alfred mall - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

c. Water Shed

Located next to the Two Oceans Aquarium, here you will find a wide selection of products, including: design and crafts, home and decoration, fashion and accessories and jewelry.

Read more about Watershed here

Water shed - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

d. Clock Tower

Besides housing the Cape Town Diamond Museum, this place has several stores. Also you can find art exhibitions. When I went I pop into one and I was able to see African paintings and sculptures.

Read more about Clock Tower here

4. Restaurants

a. More than 80 restaurants

There are more than 80 restaurants on V&A Waterfront. Almost all major chains such as Primi Piatti, Ocean Basket, Steers, McDonalds, Debonairs and KFC have a subsidiary there. And also you can find other restaurants like Willoughby & Co and Quay Four.

restaurants - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

b. V&A Foodmarket

Just in front of the Nobel Square is the V&A Foodmarket. Its kiosks offer gourmet meals at affordable prices.

Read more about V&A Foodmarket aquí

v&a food market - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

5. Museums

a. Aquarium


Two Oceans Aquarium focuses on the marine life present on the South African coast, bathed by the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. It is a great option for days with bad weather in the city.

  • Prices (buying online is cheaper): Adult: $149 ZAR = $13 USD, children (14 to 17 years): $108 ZAR = $9 USD and  children (up to 13 years): $72 ZAR = $6 USD.
  • Opening times: 9:30 am to 6 pm.

Read more about Two Oceans Aquarium on its official website.

b. Robben Island

There are ferries departing to Robben Island, the island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned and that today works as a museum.

These busy tours depart four times a day from the station next to Clock Tower. It is good to buy online in advance because if you buy at the ticket office it is difficult to find availability on the same day.

  • Prices: Adults $340 ZAR = $28 USD and children $190 ZAR = $ 16 USD.
  • Opening times: ferris depart at 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, and 15:00 hrs.

Read more about Robben Island on its official website

c. Diamond Museum in Clock Tower

Diamonds are a big part of the history of South Africa. The Cape Town Diamond Museum pays homage to this extraordinary journey of 3 billion years, from the formation of these stones to their final product.

  • Prices: General $50 ZAR = $ 4 USD, free entrance for children under 14 years.
  • Opening times: from 9:00 to 21:00 hrs., the seven days of the week.

Read more about the Dimond Museum on its official website.

diamond museum - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

d. Springbok Experience Rugby Museum

The two floors of the Springbok Experience tell the story of South Africa through the country’s most important sport: rugby.

  • Prices: Adults $70 ZAR = $ 6 USD, Students $50 ZAR = $ 4 USD.
  • Opening times: from 9:00 to 17:00 hrs. (closed on Mondays).

Read more about Springbok Experience Rugby Museum on its official website

springbok - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

e. Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA)

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) is located in the Silo District (the newest area of ​​the V&A Waterfront). Opened on September 22, 2017 it will be the largest museum in the world dedicated to contemporary art in Africa.

  • Prices: Adults $180 ZAR = $15 USD.
  • Opening Times: from 10:00 to 18:00 hrs.

Read more about MOCAA on its official website

mocca - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

f. Galileo Open Air Cinema

A great option to go out with friends or on a romantic date is to watch a movie at the Galileo Open Air Cinema (open during the summer).

  • Prices: prices vary if purchased online or at the door and depending on the type of seat but in general they are $100 ZAR = $ 8 USD for the entrance, $10 ZAR = $ 1 USD for a blanket and $20 ZAR = $ 2 USD for a back support.
  • Opening times: doors open at 6 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday, at 5:00 pm on Saturdays and at 4:00 pm. on Sundays.

Read more about the Galileo Open Air Cinema on its official website.  

galileo open air cinema - Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

EXTRA – New Year

During New Year you can celebrate at V&A Waterfront. It has attractions during the night and also parties in different restaurants and nightclubs.

a. Outdoor

There are several stages scattered around V&A Waterfront, with presentations of various artists during New Year.

The place is full, huge rows for everything, in the bathrooms, cafeterias and kiosks. At midnight, there are fireworks and also laser projections in a building. Remember that alcoholic beverages are not allowed in public places in South Africa.

b. Shimmy Beach Club

Another option to do during New Year is Shimmy Beach Club, a nightclub / bar / restaurant that is also located in the V&A Waterfront complex. The night of the closing of the year has the party Fuck me, I’m Famous.

Read more about Shimmy Beach Club on its official website

Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa
Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa
Waterfront - Cape Town - South Africa

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#thelifestylehunter #pilarnoriega #Travel : waterfront, shopping, shopping mall, stores, victoria wharf, alfred mall, water shed, clock tower, cape wheel, music, yellow frames, nobel square, running route, helicopters, boats, scuba diving, up cycles, city sightseeing, restaurants, v&a food market, two oceans aquarium, robben island, diamont museum, springbok experience, mocca museum, galileo open air cinema, Llandudno, llandudno beach, surfers beach, Africa, Cape Town, Sea Point Promenade, Cape Town Hotel, trendy Table Mountain, Devils Peak, Lions Head, Kruger safari, Stellensbosh, Hermanus, Cape Point, Garden Route, Groot Constantia, Kristenbosch

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5 Comments

  1. 07/02/2018 / 4:10 AM

    Wow this place looks amazing. I wish id travelled more before having my 3 kids as im stuck now theyre small. Maybe one day i can go here. My husband loves to travel to run in different countries so ive saved this for him too. X

  2. 06/02/2018 / 2:27 PM

    Great Post! Looks like such a neat place to visit! Awesome pics!

  3. 06/02/2018 / 2:22 AM

    Great post Pilar! I never realized there was so much to do in Cape Town!

  4. Shannon | Shannie Chic
    05/02/2018 / 10:17 PM

    I have always wanted to go to South Africa and this makes me want to go now!

  5. 05/02/2018 / 4:16 PM

    Great Information. LOVE the yellow frame shots. Beautiful pictures!

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