V&A Waterfront, Waterfront complex at Cape Town harbor, South Africa
The V&A Waterfront stretches across more than 100 hectares along Cape Town's bay, combining shops, restaurants, hotels, and cultural venues with the backdrop of Table Mountain. Pedestrian zones, harbor basins, and converted warehouses form a connected area between water and city.
Prince Alfred laid the foundation stone for the harbor in 1860, aiming to provide Cape Town with a sheltered anchorage. A redevelopment in the 1990s transformed the industrial site into a public quarter with visitor access.
The name links Queen Victoria with Prince Alfred, whose initials now mark a waterside gathering place where locals meet friends and families spend weekends. Street performers, craft vendors, and spontaneous shows shape the public rhythm along the piers and walkways.
The complex is walkable and offers several entrances along the waterfront promenade, suitable for a visit lasting several hours. Covered passages and sheltered areas allow exploration even in rain or strong wind.
A colony of seals has settled in a small harbor basin and rests on floating pontoons that remain visible to visitors. The animals share the space with boats and add an unexpected note to the harbor scene.
Location: City of Cape Town
Address: Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 09:00-21:00
Phone: +27214087600
Website: http://waterfront.co.za
GPS coordinates: -33.90306,18.42278
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:02
Cape Town progresses between sea and mountains with a pace that varies from neighborhood to neighborhood. As soon as you follow the Atlantic coast, the air becomes cooler, and then the city broadens towards the peaks where trails climb along rocky slopes. You then pass through older streets with colorful facades that catch the eye before reaching gardens stretching at the foot of Table Mountain. The recent history remains very present, and the traces of apartheid can still be felt when visiting the island where many political prisoners were held. Markets bring a lively, bustling atmosphere, much like the beaches where swimmers and marine animals mingle. This selection highlights places that define Cape Town’s spirit, allowing you to explore the city through its panoramas, neighborhoods, and heritage.
Non-Violence
304 m
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
587 m
Foreshore Freeway Bridge
1.3 km
Two Oceans Aquarium
730 m
Granger Bay Boulevard
449 m
Green Point Stadium
1.3 km
Portside Tower
1.5 km
1 Thibault Square
1.8 km
Nobel Square
484 m
Chavonnes Battery
465 m
Statue of Bartolomeu Dias
1.7 km
Triangle House
1.8 km
Cape Medical Museum
871 m
Mouille Point Lighthouse
349 m
Cape Town Diamond Museum
460 m
Breekwatervuurtoring, Kaapstadhawe
1.1 km
Metlife Centre
1.5 km
V&A Waterfront clock tower
383 m
Goodman Gallery Cape Town
1.4 km
Synchrolift, Port of Cape Town
713 m
Robben Island Embarkation Building
194 m
Iziko South African Maritime Centre
382 m
Morphous
1.8 km
Grain Silo, V&A Waterfront
597 m
Old Port Captain's Building, V&A Waterfront
361 m
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Swing Bridge
370 m
Bascule Bridge, V&A Waterfront
574 m
Time ball tower, V&A Waterfront
458 mReviews
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