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Cape Town Museums & exhibitions

Our most recommended Cape Town Museums & exhibitions

Cape Town: Half-Day Guided Township Tour

1. Cape Town: Half-Day Guided Township Tour

Traveling is only as deep as the people you interact with, and on this half-day tour, you will get to discover Cape Town in an up-close and personal way through the eyes of the locals. During your time together, you will have a chance to dig deeper into the multicultural side of Cape Town, and hear their personal stories of forceful removals from District Six to the rich cultural landscape of township life. The day either begins at 08.00 or at 13.00, returning approximately four-and-a-half hours later. You will begin in District Six with the Museum (closed Sundays). Here you can educate yourself on the forceful removal of over 60,000 inhabitants in the 1970s by the apartheid regime. This once lively community of former slaves, artisans and merchants was once home to almost 1/10 of the city of Cape Town's population before the brutality that came. After your education, you will move to Langa, the oldest formal township in South Africa. This suburb was established in 1927, and was established specifically for Black Africans before the apartheid era. There is a history of violent uprisings here, and your visit will be benefited with the local's stories and perspectives. From here we move onto Shebeen (township pub) with the option to taste some traditional beer! How can you turn down a beer with the locals? Finally we move to Khayelitsha - the largest and fastest growing township in South Africa today. Its local name is Xhosa, which means New Home. Here you will get to meet with some of the township entrepreneurs who are breathing new life in to these historic towns. If you're fortunate enough to be with us on a Sunday, we'll even have the chance to visit a charismatic church service in the townships! It's truly an experience not to be missed!

Cape Town: Table Mountain, Robben Island, and Aquarium Tour

2. Cape Town: Table Mountain, Robben Island, and Aquarium Tour

Join a guided tour and visit Cape Town's top attractions, including Table Mountain, Robben Island, the V&A Waterfront, and the Two Oceans Aquarium. Enjoy the convenience of a hotel pickup and travel in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle. Start your day of exploring Cape Town with an early pickup directly from your accommodation and set out to see the city's most iconic attraction, Table Mountain. Purchase your tickets and hop into one of the cable cars to make your way to the top of the mountain. Spend some time soaking in the breathtaking views of the City of Cape Town, Signal Hill, and Lion's Head. Then, join your guide as you walk to another lookout point and be rewarded with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, Camps Bay, and the Twelve Apostles Mountains. Ride the cable car back down the mountain and head to the V&A Waterfront where you'll board a ferry to Robben Island. Disembark at Murray's Bay Harbor on the east coast of the island and board a bus that will take you to all the historic sites. Get a guided tour of the prison while learning about South Africa's history, the struggle against oppression, and the thousands of freedom fighters who were imprisoned on Robben Island, including former president Nelson Mandela. Return by ferry to the V&A Waterfront and enjoy some free time to do some shopping or grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants (cost not included). End your day with a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium. Explore the wonders of the ocean up close as you visit the penguin exhibit, shark exhibit, ocean exhibit, and much more. Finally, hop back into your air-conditioned vehicle and enjoy a comfortable ride back to your accommodation.

Cape Town: Robben Island & Table Mountain Guided Tour

3. Cape Town: Robben Island & Table Mountain Guided Tour

We will start this amazing experience with a pick up from your hotel at approximately 08H00 en route to the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island for a 3 to 4-hour experience to see where Nelson Mandela and so many other civilians, politicians were incarcerated during the Apartheid regime. Skip the line of buying the tickets as this tour will have your pre-booked ticket ahead of time. Please take note that Robben Island Museum reserved the right to cancel any given tour at their own discretion. In the case of cancellation, you will be entitled to a full refund or an option to reschedule. Your guide-driver will not escort you to the Island as they have their own guides. You will be on the boat with other people. You will be given a full tour by an ex-prisoner. Soon after returning from your Robben Island Tour experience, we will allow you to grab a sandwich or light lunch at own account at a nearby restaurant. Our next stop before we arrive at Table Mountain, we will allow you a 15 minutes stop for a photo opportunity in the Bo-Kaap ( The Colourful houses). From here, we will drive to the Cable Car station, where you will be given your return ticket by your guide. The guide will escort you for maximum experience. From here, we will drop you off at your accommodation in Cape Town.

Museum of Contemporary African Art: Fast-Track Zeitz MOCAA

4. Museum of Contemporary African Art: Fast-Track Zeitz MOCAA

Visit the world's largest museum for contemporary African art in the heart of the V&A Waterfront with skip-the-line access. This museum includes 6,500 square meters (about 69,965 square feet) of exhibition space in 100 galleries, a rooftop sculpture garden, state-of-the-art storage and conservation areas, a bookshop, a restaurant, a bar and various reading rooms. Explore the galleries and atrium space at the center of Zeitz MOCAA. Learn how they were carved from the silo's dense cellular structure of 42 tubes that pack the building. Discover why this museum is an important cultural landmark and how it contributes to a stronger appreciation of Africa's cultural heritage.

Cape Town: Heart of Cape Town Medical Museum Entrance Ticket

5. Cape Town: Heart of Cape Town Medical Museum Entrance Ticket

Discover the Heart of Cape Town Museum which honors all those who played a major role in the world’s first successful heart transplant. Celebrate this surgical feat that pushed the boundaries of science into the dawn of a new medical era. Experience the drama of the operation, led by Professor Christiaan Neethling Barnard, played out within the walls of the Charles Saint Theatre, at Groote Schuur Hospital on the 3rd December 1967. This museum offers an insightful look into the day this medical wonder took place.

Cape Town: Half-Day City Tour

6. Cape Town: Half-Day City Tour

Cape Town, the Mother City, is a beautiful place steeped with history. This half-day tour will take you to all of the major points of interest and landmarks you need to see for your visit to be complete. The tour will be led by a registered guide who is an expert on all things Cape Town. You will visit all the major sights in the city, including the South African Museum and beautiful Company Gardens. See the Parliament buildings, City Hall, and the Castle of Good Hope. Before you reach the colorful streets of Bo-Kaap, the smells of Malay curry will be wafting your way. You will also visit the Green Market Square, Signal Hill, Camps Bay, and Clifton. If you are interested you will have the unique opportunity to be taken on a short diamond factory tour. At the end, choose from 2 options. You may opt for a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting). Otherwise, choose a trip up to Table View, for the postcard view of Table Mountain.

Cape Town: Private Guided Tour of Cape Town Diamond Museum

7. Cape Town: Private Guided Tour of Cape Town Diamond Museum

Take a private guided tour of the Cape Town Diamond Museum, located at the V&A Waterfront. Tour the museum for 45 minutes with your guide, who will give fascinating commentary and answer any questions that come to mind. Start with some welcome drinks on arrival, either soft drinks or some South African wine, that are also available throughout the tour.  Discover about South Africa’s 3-billion year diamond history; how Shimansky hand selects and ethically sources their diamonds; and how they are cut and polished to their aesthetically pleasing final state. See over 3000 pieces in the diamond cutting factory and jewelry workshop. Best of all, have the opportunity to buy and design your own diamond with your own personal designer on-site and GIA certificate.

Cape Town: District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket

8. Cape Town: District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket

Learn about the harrowing history of apartheid-era South Africa at the District Six Museum in Cape Town. Find out how this lively multi-racial hub for musicians and artists was dismantled by the apartheid regime through forced removals. Engage with photographs, recordings and testimonials, which offer further insight into the horrors of the apartheid system. Share in the stories of District Six with engaging and friendly staff members. Many were displaced residents themselves and have intimate and personal stories to tell.

Cape Town: Private Robben Island, Table Mountain & City Tour

9. Cape Town: Private Robben Island, Table Mountain & City Tour

Begin your journey of Cape Town with a hotel pick up, where you will be greeted by your guide who will take care of you throughout the day.  Head straight to the ferry dock to catch your boat to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison during the Apartheid era. Visit the former prison on a guided tour, hearing stories of the famous island's past. Next, head back across the water to the Victoria and Alfred waterfront, where your guide will take you on a historical tour of Cape Town. See a number of iconic monuments and sights, including the Parliament buildings, the Company's Garden, the Slave Auction Tree, the Apartheid Museum in District Six, the Slave Museum, the Castle — which is the oldest building in South Africa, built between 1666-1679. The last stop on your South African excursion is a visit to Table Mountain. Hop on the cable car and make your way to the top of Cape Town for unparalleled views of the sprawling city and the ocean.

Cape Town: Private Full-Day Table Mountain and City Tour

10. Cape Town: Private Full-Day Table Mountain and City Tour

Join this tour for a day filled with the city's biggest highlights. Travel by cable car to top of Table Mountain. Descend through Malay Quarter, also known as Bo-Kaap. Visit the Bo-Kaap Museum and see the beautiful colorful houses. Explore the city center, Company Gardens, and Green Market Square. Visit the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest colonial building in South Africa. To finish the day, we take a bike ride along the Sea Point Promenade to the V and A Waterfront for a late lunch, shopping, or for drop-off at your hotel.

Frequently asked questions about Cape Town

What top attractions are a must-see in Cape Town?

What are the best day trips and excursions from Cape Town?

The best day trips and excursions from Cape Town are:

Stellenbosch

Other Sightseeing Options in Cape Town

Want to discover all there is to do in Cape Town? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Cape Town

The situation at the time of the first heart transplant comes alive again during the tour through the original rooms where everything happened. The humorous, self-critical explanations allowed us to put ourselves in the shoes of the time and the people involved, a very emotional experience. Recreated scenes, interesting footage, lots of objects and displays. What progress has medical technology made since then! - From arriving at the hospital gate to entering the museum in the old building, only friendly, helpful people: a valuable experience from start to finish.

It was very a very immersive experience to the Robben Island and to the Table Mountain. The guide Armand explains the sights along the way and history. The pace was good and organized.

Seeing the life of the township peoples in real time and from inside their homes. Nothing was hidden from us, it was as it is!

Robben Island and Tanle Mountain excellent. Aquarium was also very good, but quite quick.

The architecture,- the conversation from the silos to a museum