International Museum Day is celebrated on 18 May each year. The objective of International Museum Day is to raise awareness of the fact that, “ Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.”
18 May each year, the events and activities planned to celebrate International Museum Day can last a day, a weekend or a whole week. The theme chosen for 2018 is “Hyperconnected museums: New approaches, new publics“.
The Cape Town Big 6 Attractions boast many interesting and diverse Museums and Galleries:
V&A Waterfront
Zeitz MOCAA
Zeitz MOCAA collects, preserves, researches, and exhibits twenty-first-century art from Africa and its Diaspora in over 100 galleries; hosts international exhibitions; develops supporting educational and enrichment programmes; encourages intercultural understanding; and guarantees access for all. Learn more about our most recent visit to see cutting-edge art from Africa and the Diaspora.
Over one-hundred galleries are dedicated to a permanent collection; temporary exhibitions; and Centres for Art Education, Curatorial Excellence, Performative Practice, Photography, the Moving Image, and the Costume Institute.
Zeitz MOCAA will grant FREE access on these dates to all: International Museum Day (Friday 18 May), Africa Day (Friday 25 May) and Museum Night (Thurs 28 June)
The Springbok Experience
The Springbok Experience is a world-class, modern interactive museum telling South Africa’s story through the eyes of Rugby. It offers a fun and entertaining experience for the whole family and is a ‘must-do’ attraction at the heart of the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. The museum features more than 60 audiovisual displays where visitors can watch the history of South African rugby unfold, set among cases displaying historic objects such as famous trophies, jerseys, boots and other memorabilia. And there are games for children and adults alike where they can test their kicking, passing, fitness and reaction skills in the interactive ‘Springbok Trials’ games zone. There’s even a flagship Springbok shop. The Springbok Experience is a museum– but much more than that – offering fun for all the family.
Cape Town Diamond Museum Guided Tour
As a visitor to the Cape Town Diamond Museum you can expect a guided tour where you will learn about the diamond industry, history of diamonds in South Africa, how diamonds form, see amazing replicas of the world’s most famous diamonds and much more.
Tour Details:
A diamond professional will provide a guided tour of the museum. Duration: 25 – 40 minutes.
Maximum of 10 adults per tour at a time. Please ensure to book a guided tour in advance to avoid disappointment.
Chavonnes Battery Museum
You are invited to don an 18th Century Tricorn hat and step below sea level to the sand of the original Cape Town shoreline to explore the Archaeology ruins of this Dutch East India Company (VOC) fortification that has been buried for 140 years.
Time travel to relive the early history of Cape Town through fascinating artifacts, detailed displays, exhibits, models and large graphic information boards.
On the upper level, enjoy the Underwater Photographer of the Year photo exhibition which is an annual competition held in London. Ten categories, 3 of which is life in British waters. On show are fifty large and remarkable images from the oceans, rivers and seas of 27 countries.
Table Mountain Cableway
In operation since 1929, and over 26 million visitors later, Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company celebrates its 88th birthday and the 20th anniversary of the current cable cars this year.
On display is the original steel and wood cable cars dating from 1929, 1958 and 1974.
Robben Island
The Nelson Mandela Gateway, which is located in the V&A Waterfront is an experience in itself. Take some time to explore this triple-story glass museum – a stark reminder of this place of banishment and imprisonment. The exhibition space is great for taking in more Robben Island information before heading on the tour as it has a timeline dedicated to modern South African political history which you can take in at your leisure.
The entire island is a museum and a World Heritage Site and on the tour, you will visit
- The prison house where Robert Sobukwe, leader of the Pan African Congress, was held in isolation
- The Lime Quarry
- The Male Leper Church
- The 19th-century lighthouse
- Second World War fortifications, including big gun emplacements
- The Garrison Church
- The Commissioner’s Residence
- Several shipwrecks
Cape Point
Lighthouse Five, one of 3 Cape Point Stores, reflects maritime history and has a distinctly nautical feel with rich dark wood fittings and polished brass. Visitors can buy ship wheels or brass bells; or take home an intricate replica of an old sailing ship or an ostrich egg decorated with old maps.
Walk the shipwreck trail to learn more about the 26 recorded shipwrecks around Cape Point.
Discover cultural and historical spots, including monuments to explorers such as Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias.
Groot Constantia
Groot Constantia is South Africa’s oldest wine producing estate and is a certified national monument. The dramatic oak-lined avenue takes you directly into the Historical core of the estate, where you’ll find the 17th century Manor House, arguably the finest surviving example of Cape Dutch architecture in South Africa
Groot Constantia has launched a new Visitors Route Experience. It allows for a multi-level experience encompassing a visit to the original Cape Dutch homestead and the very informative and atmospheric Wine Museum in the famed and recently restored Cloete Cellar- both fall under Iziko Museums of South Africa – as well as admiring art at the Constantia Gallery and doing a cellar tour.
Take a journey back in time and explore the grand Manor House museum, which houses displays portraying early years on the estate
A five hundred meter walk up the slope of Table Mountain along an oak-lined path leads you to the ornamental bath. It is an early version of a secluded swimming pool, oval in shape and about 12 x 8m in size, certainly deep enough for a swim in.
The Oaks trees planted by Simon van der Stell although not suitable for the warm climate here are still standing some 330 years later. One of them is completely hollow from the base to about 3 meters up.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Van Riebeeck’s Hedge, The Dell and the Cycad Amphitheatre
Sections of Van Riebeeck’s Hedge and the Dell area dating from the early 1900 still survive. Visit the cycads in the Cycad Amphitheatre, the rock work along the Bath stream and stone work in the Dell, Col. Bird’s Bath, Main Pond, and the living plant collections.
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One Destination, 6 Unbelievable Experiences
There is no one way to explore all of the Cape Town Big 6, and much of what makes each of them so special is the variety of things to see and do at each. So if possible, take your time to explore each of the city’s most visited tourist attractions in as much depth as possible – as any local will tell you, you can spend a lifetime at each of the Big 6 and still not tire of them. Find the 3 and 4 day itineraries and tips here.
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