The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is one of the most popular spots in Cape Town for tourists and locals alike.
What to expect
The V&A Waterfront has a wide range of modern shops, a host of restaurants, banks, money exchange bureaus and entertainment all of which can be safely explored on foot. With Table Mountain as your backdrop, the outdoor restaurants merge seamlessly with the ocean views and all day the fresh sea breeze combined with the warm African sun make this cosmopolitan venue vibrant and fun for the whole family.
There are over 80 restaurants at the waterfront bringing a fusion of international food, from more casual burger joints or fresh fish & chips to smart a la carte cuisine or sushi.
At the forefront of the Waterfront you will find the picturesque working harbour which provides a mooring for passenger liners. It’s also where ferries depart for Robben Island and where catamarans and yachts depart on their sunset cruises.
A major attraction is the 2 Oceans Aquarium, the South African Maritime museum and there is plenty of live music and entertainment at the Amphitheatre on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Look out for Quay 4 for a huge menu of very fresh fish & chips, calamari and other dishes, or if you are a biker, open your throttle at Ferrymans Tavern & Mitchells Waterfront Brewery. Otherwise Balduccis and the Cape Town fish market are popular venues. For a good Bavarian cuisine and Weissbier head towards the clocktower built in 1882 and visit the Paulaner Brauhaus.
How to get there
The Waterfront is very well signposted from all directions of town but if you are coming into town on the N2, you need to move into the M6 / SEA POINT / WATERFRONT lane. Turn right at the traffic light into the Main Gate of the V&A Waterfront (Coen Steytler Entrance). You can also enter the V&A waterfront via the other main entrance (Hans Strydom Ave).
Useful GPS coordinates
Two Oceans Aquarium: S33∞54.492 / E018∞25.088
V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre: S33∞54.302 / E018∞25.206
The Clock Tower: S33∞54.388 / E018∞25.326
The Blue Shed Craft Market: S33∞54.402 / E018∞25.121
The Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island: S33∞54.392 / E018∞25.337
V&A Waterfront Market Square: S33∞54.321 / E018∞25.184
The Facts & Figures
Shopping hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily except:
Red Shed Craft Workshop – 10 am – 9 pm on Sundays and Public Holidays
V&A Craft Market and Wellness Centre – 9.30 am – 6 pm
Contact
+27 (0) 21 408 7600