Cape Town Cruise Port Guide
Photos: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons; Sky Monkey, Marcus Bradley, abdelmajid ouazine, Monika Van Zyl, Wayne Burrell · via Google Maps
- Country:
- South Africa
- Region:
- Indian Ocean & Africa
- Coordinates:
- 33.9253° S, 18.4239° E
About Cape Town
Cape Town suits families and culture enthusiasts seeking a mix of history, nature and urban exploration. As the legislative capital and oldest city in South Africa, it combines heritage sites with modern attractions, many within easy reach of the port.
The city's most popular draws include Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (rated 4.8 from 34,612 reviews), one of the world's great gardens, and Boulders Beach (4.6 rating, 29,087 reviews), known for its penguin colony. History lovers can visit the Castle of Good Hope (4.3 rating, 13,156 reviews), just 0.4 km from the port, or explore Robben Island via the Nelson Mandela Gateway. The Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum (4.3 rating, 6,730 reviews) showcases local culture and heritage.
Waterfront and Views
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront area offers The Cape Wheel (4.5 rating, 10,603 reviews) for panoramic city views, and Nobel Square (4.6 rating, 646 reviews) celebrates South African history. For nature lovers, Kloof Corner in Table Mountain Nature Reserve (4.9 rating, 617 reviews) provides scenic vistas and outdoor activities.
Cape Town is the capital and largest city of the Western Cape, and the country's second-most populous city. It connects easily to other Indian Ocean & Africa cruises, with nearby ports including Durban, Mombasa, and Port Louis.
Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa. It is the country's oldest city and the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. Cape Town is the capital and largest city of the Western Cape, and the country's second-most populous city, after Johannesburg. The city is part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality.
Read more on Wikipedia (text CC BY-SA)
Things to do in Cape Town on a port day
Top-rated sights within reach of the cruise terminal. Ratings, hours and reviews from Google — check opening times before you go.
-
Photo: David Linh Doan · via Google Maps Botanical garden
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
4.8 (34,612) 7.0 km from port
Hillside garden & nature reserve with rare plant species, walking trails & mountain views.
Near: Kirstenbosch Garden of Extinction (94 m) · The Galileo Open Air Cinema, Kirstenbosch (Weekdays) (99 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- 5 · “We used to live in new zealand and travelled alot there so had high expectations when this claimed to be…” — IMK
- 5 · “So lucky to visit on such a beautiful day during winter. Enjoyed the gardens Great activity for all ages. Kids…” — yumna charles
-
Photo: Johannes · via Google Maps Public Beach
Boulders Beach
4.6 (29,087) 30.2 km from port
Sheltered public bay with a sandy beach & boardwalk, plus free-roaming colony of African penguins.
Near: Foxy Beach (44 m) · Boulders Visitor Centre - Table Mountain National Park (88 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
- 5 · “This was a fantastic experience. We paid to go onto the beach and scramble over the rocks in search of…” — Rognvald Martin
- 5 · “A wonderful experience! You can watch the penguins walk around, swim and look after theirs young from the board walk.…” — Janine Long
-
Photo: Martin Oplocký · via Google Maps Castle
Castle of Good Hope
4.3 (13,156) 0.4 km from port
Expansive, 17th-century, colonial castle housing military & historical art museums.
Near: Castle Military Museum (54 m) · Tunnel Tour Goodhope Adventures (113 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- 5 · “We attended the Ceramics Exhibition. Entrance is free. The Castle was clean; gardens amazing; views of city gorgeous; a coffee…” — Heather Turner
- 5 · “Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town. Built by the Dutch East India Company in the 1600s, this old fortress is…” — Thomas Gordon
-
Photo: Matteo Tomassetti · via Google Maps Ferris wheel
The Cape Wheel
4.5 (10,603) 2.6 km from port
40-meter observation wheel featuring 30 air-conditioned, enclosed cabins for sweeping views.
Near: Pick n Pay Waterfront (111 m) · Waterfront (130 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Tuesday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Wednesday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Thursday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
- 5 · “We absolutely loved our visit to the Cape Wheel! It was one of those experiences that looks simple at first…” — RateItRight
- 5 · “It was my first time and on my birthday weekend. I enjoyed myself and the birwvis beautiful during sunset. I…” — Lesego Kgatla
-
Museum
Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum
4.3 (6,730) 0.9 km from port
Exhibits highlighting the lifestyle & cultural contributions of 19th-century Muslims.
Near: Bo-Kaap Bazaar (26 m) · Atlas Trading Company (54 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Sunday: Closed
- 5 · “Nice place to vist Bo-Kaap (literally "by the Cape" in Afrikaans) is an area known as the Malay Quarter. It…” — Monika Karlińska
- 5 · “Bo-Kaap is one of those places that feels like walking through a living piece of history. Sitting on the slopes…” — Liza Ayoo
-
Tourist attraction
The Nelson Mandela Gateway To Robben Island
4.4 (6,095) 2.1 km from port
Multilevel glass museum on V&A Waterfront housing exhibitions tracing local political history.
Near: Clock Tower Waterfront (21 m) · Seal Landing (25 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Sunday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
- 5 · “Robben Island tells you about the life of political prisoners. How they were treated and what they went through in…” — Jane Quist
- 5 · “A good half day trip to see where political prisoners were sent, Robben Island, about 30 mins on the boat…” — Cinefrank57 Houiellebecq
-
Tourist attraction
Nobel Square
4.6 (646) 2.1 km from port
Waterfront square with bronze statues of the 4 Nobel Peace Prize laureates from South Africa.
Near: Victoria & Alfred Hotel (62 m) · The Watershed (120 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Cape Town V and A Waterfront is an absolutely beautiful place to visit. There's activities for every member of the…” — Naven Govender
- 5 · “Very nice to visit, interesting activities and shops” — Vorramaz Thammapinan
-
Tourist attraction
Kloof Corner
4.9 (617) 3.5 km from port
Near: Kloof Corner Ridge (404 m) · India Venster Hiking Trail (450 m)
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “This is a very short and beautiful. We were unlucky with the weather on the day we hiked. We were…” — Salai arun CA
- 5 · “Great hike for sunset. Many people bring food and drinks to enjoy the sunset. We got food "toGo" shortly before…” — MW & Partner
Map of Cape Town and nearby attractions
Cruises calling at Cape Town
Deals update daily — see all Indian Ocean & Africa cruises.
