Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (V&A Waterfront)
19 Dock Road, Cape Town
Originally a jetty built in 1654 to provide fresh water and produce to the sailors of the Dutch East India Company, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is now one of the most-visited attractions in South Africa. The area is a development consisting of two harbors, retail shops and museums, seascapes and mountain views, and plenty of places to bed down, drink up, and eat away.
The V&A Waterfront serves as a cultural and historical hub with picturesque Table Mountain as its backdrop. Guided walking, cycling, and bus tours allow visitors to discover the area’s points of historical interest such as the Clock Tower, the Old Port Captain’s Building, the Pump House, and the Breakwater Prison, which used to house British convicts. Plus, you can book a harbor cruise and see the sights from the water including fur seals. (You can see even more marine life at the waterfront’s Two Oceans Aquarium.) There are various cruise options designed for families as well as couples.
- You can book a ferry tour to Robben Island, the historic penal colony, from the waterfront.
- The V&A Waterfront is divided into nine different precincts; the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre is located in the Quays District, and many shops and restaurants are found in the Clock Tower District.
- The V&A Waterfront offers a senior citizen discount, which you can sign up for at the information kiosk inside the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre.
Located at the foot of Cape Town’s Signal Hill, the waterfront is close to many landmarks, including Table Mountain and Robben Island. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport to the waterfront, and there are plenty of open-air and underground parking bays available. Also, a Myciti bus stop is located on Breakwater Blvd., along the water.
Check the waterfront’s website for a calendar of events that includes concerts, exhibitions, kid-friendly activities, and more. In the evening, watch street entertainers and listen to live music, plus ride the illuminated Cape Wheel, a giant observation wheel from which you can see 360-degree views of the city and harbor. Plus, in addition to a lot of gift shopping opportunities, there are many festive holiday events around Christmastime.
From the V&A Waterfront you can easily access Robben Island via a ferry tour. Learn about this historic prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his sentence. In addition to housing political prisoners, it also served as an asylum and leper colony, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!