The V & A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa is a bustling shopping, residential and dining area making the most of the former industrial buildings which formed the port. There’s a pretty marina too and it’s a lovely place to visit, with lots to see and do.
As you wander from building to building, you’ll be exploring the former docks. Each area has been carefully renovated to provide a new use for the old warehouses. The old Clock Tower is now a central feature. Other highlights include the huge Victoria Wharf shopping complex packed with stores, cafes and restaurants, two further shopping arcades, the Marina, the Two Oceans Aquarium and a craft warehouse. This is where you’ll find many of the big hotels in Cape Town too.
One of the things we loved about spending time here was the incredible backdrop of Table Mountain, which is visible all around the waterfront. Lots of people are confused by the name and think it refers to Victoria and Albert – like the V & A Museum in London. In fact, the name comes from the two basins in the harbour, one named after Queen Victoria and the other named after her son Prince Alfred who began construction of the harbour.
Look out also for the statues of the men who set South Africa on the road to freedom and you can also get a birds-eye view from the huge Observation Wheel.
LOCATION & CONTACT
Address: Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Breakwater Boulevard, Cape Town, South Africa
Tel: +27 21 408 7500
The V&A Waterfront can be accessed from several directions as it covers a large area. The Cape Town Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour stops at the water front.
MORE ON THE V & A WATERFRONT
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront – Official Website
Two Oceans Aquarium – Official website
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront – Wikipedia
Hotels near V & A Waterfront – We recommend Booking.com