Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront

The Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront buzzes with activity at all hours of the day. This bustling harbor—built in the late 19th century by Queen Victoria's second son, Alfred—has acted as the stopover point for European ships for centuries. Today, the waterfront caters to tourists and residents alike, boasting beautiful views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, a wide array of shopping venues, restaurants, and notable attractions, like the Two Oceans Aquarium. This is also the jumping off point for whale-watching tours and excursions to Robben Island. When the sun sets, the V&A Waterfront comes alive with music flowing out over the ships as steadily as cocktails are poured into glasses at the neighborhood's many bars.

Recent visitors love the V&A Waterfront's lively atmosphere, saying that the numerous roaming performers will keep you entertained for hours. According to one TripAdvisor user, "Here's a tourist shopping paradise, it's one of the largest shopping centres, with restaurants and a few side attractions in the Waterfront. Not to be missed."

You can reach the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront by car (although parking can be scarce) or by the Cape Town Harbour Metrorail Station. The Waterfront is always open for exploration, and you don't have to pay to wander. To learn more, visit the V&A Waterfront website.