Cape Town Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Cape Town

City Hall is a sizeable Edwardian-style building that was built in 1905. It is constructed from light-colored limestone imported from Bath, England.

One of the most impressive things about City Hall is its massive organ. The design for the organ was created by Saint Paul Catherdral's organist, Sir George Martin. The organ has an impressive 3,165 pipes, ranging in size from three-quarters of an inch to 32 feet.

The turret clock, or tower clock, dominates the center of the building. It's half the size of London's famous Big Ben clock and strikes the hour and chimes the quarters.

The carillon, a set of tower bells, was installed as a World War I memorial. An additional 22 bells were installed to celebrate the Prince of Wales's visit in 1925. The carillon has a total of 39 bells and is the only active carillon in South Africa. It is played by a complicated set of wooden levers and pedals.

On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison. He gave his first public address from the balcony of City Hall. In 2018, a statue of Nelson Mandela was placed on the balcony as a memorial.

The city offices are now located in the Cape Town Civic Center. Today, City Hall is used for events, art exhibitions, and concerts. One of the most popular events is the annual holiday Festive Lights Switch On.

The Castle of Good Hope is also known as The Castle or Cape Town Castle. The Castle is a stone fort in the shape of a pentagram and is the oldest existing structure in Cape Town. The Dutch East India Company built it between 1666 and 1679. The Dutch had established a settlement here to serve as a supply stop for the Dutch East India Company as it sailed between the Netherlands and Indonesia, which was then known as the East Indies.

When rumors of war between England and the Netherlands circulated, the Dutch East India Company decided to build a fortress to protect this strategic location.

The gated entry replaced the old entrance in 1682. A bell tower was added in 1684. The Castle originally overlooked Table Bay. After a land reclamation effort, it is now further inland.

Part of The Castle was used as a prison during the Second Boer War, and the cells remain to this day. The Castle is a provincial heritage site and is known as the best-preserved Dutch East India Fort.

Complete guided tours of the fort are available. Visitors can attend a Key Ceremony and the popular canon firing. The Castle is also home to three museums, a gift shop, and a restaurant.

Why You Should Visit:
The guided tour is informative and funny and will end up as one of the highlights of your visit to Cape Town.
The views of the city and Table Mountain from the (walkable) ramparts are very good.

Tip:
The changing of the guard doesn't rival Buckingham Palace but as a side treat, there's a cannon firing on the hour at 11:00/12:00. Please note: Key Ceremony runs Mon–Fri and Cannon Firing does not take place on Sundays. These ceremonies are also weather dependent.

The District Six Museum, situated in Cape Town, stands as a reminder of the forced displacement of 60,000 inhabitants during the apartheid era in the 1970s. This museum, which found its home in an old Methodist church, is deeply rooted in the history of the former inner-city residential area known as District Six. Established by the District Six Foundation in 1994, five years after the foundation's inception in 1989, the museum serves as a memorial to the diverse community that once thrived in District Six before their lives were irrevocably changed by apartheid's cruel policies.

At the heart of the museum is a large map of the district laid out on the floor, annotated with handwritten notes by former residents. These notes mark the locations of their former homes, bringing a personal touch to the history depicted. Among these residents was the celebrated jazz musician Abdullah Ibrahim, also known as Dollar Brand, highlighting the rich cultural heritage that characterized the district. The museum also houses a collection of other significant items such as old traffic signs, exhibits that capture historical moments and the lives of families from the area, historical declarations, and exhibits detailing the demolition of the district.

Beyond its role as a keeper of memory, the District Six Museum actively engages with the present and future of the area. It offers programs aimed at the development of the district, involving current inhabitants in the construction of housing, environmental planning, and the organization of music, literature, and art activities. This engagement is part of the museum's broader goal to foster a community where dignity, identity, and the co-existence of different races are respected.

The museum's significant contribution to preserving cultural heritage and promoting reconciliation was recognized internationally when it received the Prince Claus Award from the Netherlands in 2003. This accolade underscores the museum's importance not only as a site of memory but also as a space for healing and rebuilding.

Why You Should Visit:
Well worth taking a guided tour to get a real understanding of the evil that was apartheid. The guides are former residents (before they were kicked out in 1966).

Tip:
Get there early and take a break at their coffee shop – it's very nice and you must try their samosas and/or koeksisters!

While in Cape Town don’t pass up the opportunity to visit the Parliament of South Africa, which holds guided tours on most weekdays when Parliament isn’t in session, or you can get tickets to sit in the public gallery when the Parliament is in session.

Since 1910 Cape Town has been the Legislative Capital of the Union and the Council of Provinces meet in the Old House of Parliament which was built in 1885. The National Assembly meets in the Tricameral Chamber, which was created when colored members were admitted to the government.

The building was originally designed by Charles Freeman in 1875, but the design was later found flawed and Freeman got kicked off the project which was then handed to Henry Greaves, who re-did the plans and the building was finished in 1884.

There are two entrances to this beautiful building – one on the garden side with six Corinthian columns; the other, the main entrance on Parliament Street, has four groups of two columns. In front of this entrance, you will see a grand statue of Queen Victoria.

The guided tours are a great way to learn the history of South Africa. They start by visiting the multimedia room where you will watch a short documentary DVD that explains the history of the National Symbol and the Parliamentary Emblem. The guides are always ready to answer any questions concerning the political history of South Africa.

Tip:
Photography is strictly forbidden inside the building. Guided tours available, but those need to be pre-booked.

The Company's Garden was created in the 1650s and is the oldest garden in South Africa. European settlers established the garden to grow fresh produce for themselves and resupply ships. By 1653 the garden enabled the settlers to be self-sustaining.

Today, the Company's Garden is a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy this fantastic green space in the heart of the city.

The Garden hosts the South African Museum, the Cape Town Holocaust Centre, and the South African National Gallery.

There are many interesting features in the Company Garden. A pear tree planted in 1652 is still growing in the garden and is the oldest cultivated tree in South Africa. The Rutherford fountain was placed here in 1864. Visitors will be fascinated by the well pump embedded in an oak tree; it was placed here in 1842.

The bamboo plantation is over 150 years old, and there are distinctive trees like a Ginko tree and a rubber tree. Additionally, you'll see a stocked fish pond, numerous fountains, and several important memorials.

There's also a host of animals that call The Company's Garden home. The squirrels are popular, especially with children, and you can buy bags of nuts to feed them. An aviary has dozens of bird species. Visitors will also spot geese and herons around the garden.

A popular restaurant is located on-site. Visitors can also find local arts and crafts being sold along the avenue. The Company's Garden is shaded and a great way to spend a hot day.

Saint George’s Cathedral on Wale Street is renowned for two things: the first is its beautiful stained glass windows; the second is that even after 120 years, it still isn’t finished!

The cathedral was designed on the site of a former church by Sir Henry Baker in 1901. Building started in 1906, but due to a lack of funds, the North Transept wasn’t finished until 1936. By this time Sir Henry had returned to England, where he died ten years later.

Work dragged on slowly over the years. The Lady Chapel and the south aisle were completed in 1963, the Bell Tower and the Link in 1978. The cathedral is still waiting for the Chapter House to be added onto the end of the Link.

In 1982 the French stained-glass artist Gabriel Loire donated the magnificent window entitled “Christ in Triumph over Darkness and Evil” to the cathedral. This masterpiece is dedicated to the memory of Earl Mountbatten of Burma, the last Viceroy of India. The beautiful rose window is in the South Transept and in the Link is a window dating back to 1866 of the Last Supper.

In the cathedral gardens, you can walk the Labyrinth and buy souvenirs in the Cathedral Book and Bric-à-Brac Shop opposite the church. This great shop not only sells religious books but also cookbooks, children’s stories, and fiction. You can browse through the CDs or old records, pictures and paintings, antiques and occasionally small items of furniture.

Tip:
Be sure to visit the crypt and the beautiful wooden homage to Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the entrance leading to the Company Garden.

The Slave Lodge is located on the corner of Wale and Adderley Streets and is an interesting museum to visit as it pays tribute to the thousands of slaves brought to Cape Town between the 17th and 19th centuries.

The lodge was built in 1679 and it was here that the Dutch East India Company housed up to a thousand slaves in unsanitary, cramped conditions. The original lodge had no windows and was built of unadorned brick, but today it is a smart, white-washed building that tells the story of the African and Asian slaves who lived and worked in the city.

Through interactive displays, you will learn about slave family roots, their way of life and how some of them settled in the city after winning their freedom.

The museum has a small but excellent collection of Egyptian artifacts that date back to 3050BC, including silver items, textiles, toys, and tools. You can admire a superb collection of Greek vases and ceramics, pottery and cuneiform tablets from the Roman occupation of the Near East.

Between 1811 and 1911 the lodge changed hands several times: it was a post office, a public library, a small prison, and the Supreme Court. In the courtyard, you will see the tombstones (but not the graves) of Cape Town’s founder, Jan Van Riebeeck and his wife Maria.

If you want to do some up market shopping, you should go to Adderley Street, which is the main street in Cape Town’s downtown district.

The street runs from Heerengracht to the entrance of Company Gardens, after which it becomes Government Avenue. It was named after the British Member of Parliament, Charles Bowyer Adderley, who fought against the British Government’s plans to turn the Cape are into a penal colony like Australia.

The street is full of shops, restaurants and offices. At night markets flourish and during the day a permanent market in the square in front of Central Station sells leather goods and curios. You will also find the famous Flower Market where freshly cut flowers have been sold on this spot for over 100 years.

Along the street there is the entrance to the Golden Acre, which is the oldest shopping center in South Africa. Another building of note is the Groote Kerk on Church Square. At the end of the street you will discover the Slave Lodge Museum.

In front of the museum’s entrance is a statue of Jan Smuts, who was a member of the British War Cabinet and who helped create the Royal Air Force. From 1919 to 1924 and from 1939 to 1948 he was the Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa.

Greenmarket Square, nestled in the heart of Cape Town's Central Business District, is a vibrant and historical marketplace that has evolved through various incarnations over the years. From its early days as a slave market to serving as a fruit and vegetable market, and even functioning as a parking lot, today it stands as a bustling flea market cherished by both locals and tourists alike.

The square offers a unique shopping experience, with its ancient cobblestones adding to the charm and providing a stark contrast to the dynamic, cosmopolitan vibe of Cape Town. The market is renowned for its wide array of informal traders who showcase a diverse range of merchandise that reflects the rich tapestry of African traditions. Shoppers can find an assortment of goods such as batiks, beadwork, sculptures, glassware, jewelry, clothing, footwear, music CDs, sunglasses, and paintings, all offered at reasonable prices.

One of the defining features of Greenmarket Square is the blend of cross-continental merchandise, which includes items from various African cultures like the Masai, Xhosa, Zulu, and the Bade tribe from Senegal. This melting pot of cultures not only offers a glimpse into the continent's diverse heritage but also allows for a shopping experience that is both adventurous and educational.

The square is not just about shopping; it's also a place where visitors can engage with the friendly, vibrant vendors who embody the diverse cultures of Cape Town. The atmosphere is further enlivened by entertainers such as buskers, drummers, jugglers, and mime artists, who add to the lively ambiance and make shopping at Greenmarket Square an unforgettable experience.

Adding to the square's appeal are the surrounding restaurants and cafés, where visitors can savor delicious local dishes and drinks. The location of Greenmarket Square is also a significant draw, as it is situated within walking distance from several key historical and cultural landmarks, including the Company Gardens, Houses of Parliament, South African Museum, Pan African Market, Castle of Good Hope, and the Old Town House, which showcases early Cape Dutch architecture and houses an important collection of Dutch and Flemish Masters' artworks.

Why You Should Visit:
Not for people looking for peace – it's a fun place to sit outside under the sun with a drink/snack and watch the activity. It's also a good place to find your souvenirs.

Tip:
As with most markets, prices vary wildly so always bargain the price. Take cash and be prepared to haggle to get a good deal.
Don't forget to visit the small, pedestrian-only streets around the Greenmarket, but be cautious/aware of your surroundings after dark.

If you want to get a taste of African cuisine and Cape Town’s nightlife, Long Street in the City Bowl District is the place to go.

During the 1960s and early 70s this was the place to be if you had a bohemian outlook and anti-apartheid. This area was the San Francisco of South Africa. Little has changed over the years.

This is one of the oldest streets in Cape Town and it is still surrounded by beautiful Victorian buildings that have balconies enclosed by ornately wrought iron grills. During the day bookshops, stands selling souvenirs and antique shops are happy to welcome visitors, but Long Street comes alive as soon as the sun sets.

If you have been longing to taste an ostrich steak or prawns from Mozambique, you can get both here in one of the many restaurants that serve African food. If you want to eat curry, don’t worry! On Long Street, you will find the spiciest Indian food that you have ever tasted.

If you want to dine and dance, several bar/restaurants offer a tasty meal and then put on a variety of music from local ethnic to heavy metal. If you want a calm night out, some bars feature poetry reading sessions with alcohol-free cocktails afterward.

One of the best places to visit in Cape Town is undoubtedly the Pan African Market which is lodged in a superb building on Long Street.

In 1997 five traders took over an abandoned building on Long Street and set up a market on the first floor. At first the town council decided to chase them out, but seeing that locals and tourists alike flocked to the area, they granted a long term lease on the building and renovated it so that the market could grow.

Today, the market holds over 35 stalls with permanent shops on the second and third floors. These shops and stalls represent goods from over 14 African countries including Kenya, Senegal, Mozambique and Cameroon.

This fabulous market offers a wide range of arts and crafts and bargain is the name of the day! Don’t look at the price tags – if you want to buy a tribal mask or a piece of authentic bead jewelry – the more you haggle with the stall holder, the happier he’ll be and the price will be lowered!

There are tailors who will run up a tribal costume in an hour, so while you are waiting you will have the time to browse through stands selling tribal drums or visit the numerous “witch doctors” where you can buy natural remedies for everything from in-growing toenails to hair loss!