Having a good time with your family shouldn’t break the bank, that is why we’ve found the top free and budget-friendly things to do at the V&A Waterfront.
Explore the V&A Waterfront with a free guide
Explore the districts of the V&A Waterfront by downloading the VoiceMap App and join a free audio self-guided walking tour, you’ll learn about the humble beginnings of the V&A Waterfront. You’ll travel through time, history and culture. You’ll meet some of the characters who’ve helped shape its evolution and hear some of the stories that brought it to life. The route starts at the V&A Waterfront Information Centre and finish at the Zeitz MOCAA in the Silo District and takes about an hour. Download the VoiceMap App and select and download the free tour “Reinventing the Tavern of the Seas”. https://www.waterfront.co.za/attractions/va-waterfront-audio-tour/
Free Activities
• Battery Park is a new urban park that forms the gateway to the V&A Waterfront. Access to the park is free and includes a world-class skateboard park, basketball court, picnic area, a scooter track and a variety of eateries.
• “Frame” your photographs of Table Mountain by taking photos at our two yellow frames located at Silo Square and at Den Anker restaurant.
• Did you know that the V&A Waterfront have a treadmill used to punish prisoners, at the old Breakwater Prisoner, now the Breakwater Lodge?
• Try to swirl on a Heatherwick chair at Silo Square, while eating an ice cream…jip, all at the same time.
• Did you know at the bottom of Oscar’s statue (the golden seal in front of the Table Bay Hotel) is little plaques with all the names of the celebrities that have stayed with them during the past years.
• The Leon Thevenin, a cable repair ship berthed opposite the Table Bay Hotel has helped to keep several countries connected. The ship has been responsible for repairing any breaks that occur along cables located in the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. The cables help form the backbone of international fibre-optic communications, and are used for transmitting internet traffic from continent to continent, and transmitting telephone and cable television signals. She has been ploughing through rough oceans for over 29 years and holds a maritime record for 230 repairs on cables in the Atlantic Ocean Agreement Go and see this marvel from the outside when she is back in our harbour again.
• Go and see the SAS Somerset, located next to the Two Oceans Aquarium, a boom defence vessel built in 1941 and serving the South African Naval Force during the second World War.
• Did you know that the Cape Town Harbour had to employ the services of a rat catcher during the previous century, while the breakwater was built. Rats arrived onboard visiting ships, travelling as stow-aways amongst the hay that were stored in the hull of the ships to feed the horses on board. These rats multiplied and became a health risk amongst workers in the harbour, which then called for the appointment of a rat catcher. His little house can still be seen and is located close to the Cape Grace Hotel.
• Nobel Square pays tribute to South Africa’s four Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, namely the late Nkosi Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, former State President F.W. de Klerk and the late former President Nelson Mandela. Grab something to eat in the V&A Food Market located next to the square and listen to free live performances by one of our talented street musicians. This is also the perfect Insta spot.
• Visitors at the V&A Waterfront can test their mental dexterity and strategic skills on a giant, mobile outdoor chessboard. In addition, Clock Tower Square also boasts smaller, dedicated chess games built into outdoor tables for a more intimate game.
• The 2.5km and 5km V&A running routes meander past all the major attractions at the V&A Waterfront, offering magnificent views of the sea and mountains. The boardwalk is also incorporated into “the route and road markers ensure that runners stay on track, even if they are distracted by the views. The route starts and finishes from the V&A Waterfront Information Centre located in Dock Road, where a” route map is available.
• A colony of Cape fur seals has selected an unusual breeding ground on the jetty at the water’s edge beside Clock Tower Square as well as a few other spots around the V&A Waterfront, where the antics of these “charming marine mammals keep visitors amused.
• Can you find the famous plaque commemorating where Queen Victoria’s son, prince Alfred, tipped a pile of rubble into the bay to start building the breakwater in Table Bay. Hint – located close to the Amphitheatre
Food Markets
• The Oranjezicht City Farm Market (Sat & Sun) at the historic Granger Bay site of the V&A Waterfront is a community farmers-style market for independent local farmers and artisanal food producers. At the OZCF Market customers can do weekly food shopping (veg, fruit, bread, organic dairy, free-range eggs, honey, muesli etc), try out some delicious cooked and raw foods and be inspired about helping to build an alternative food system. Read more here.
• Makers Landing (Fri – Sun) a new food ecosystem built around a community with food as a passion point and cultural connector, and where authentic South African food and its diversity is shared and celebrated. Makers Landing is situated at the Cruise Terminal. Enter Dock Rd from Coen Steytler, continue towards the Silo District, at the circle before South Arm Rd, turn right into the Cruise Terminal. Read more here.
• V&A Food Market (Mon – Sun) over 40 tenants with the finest local products. You can sit indoors when windy or quayside for sundowners. Read more here.
Family-Friendly Activities – R50 to R200pp
• UpCyles – find them at the V&A Waterfront store at the iconic Silo District, in Silo 5. Read more here.
• Rollercade is the 1st indoor roller skating amusement park in Cape Town. Find them at the V&A Battery Park. Read more here.
• SUP Cape Town – introductory lessons in Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boarding. Find them at the V&A Battery Park. Read more here.
• City Sightseeing + Harbour and Canal Cruise – Spot seals, learn about the Waterfront harbour and see Cape Town from a fresh angle. Depart from the jetty outside the Two Oceans Aquarium. Read more here.
• The Cape Wheel is a giant observation wheel that offers a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of Cape Town. Read more here.
• Cave Golf + Scratch Patch – find them at the Portswood square, parking level 2 https://www.waterfront.co.za/attractions/scratch-patch/ https://www.waterfront.co.za/attractions/cave-golf/
• Unleash your individual creativity by playing, painting, spongeing or spraying with Artjamming. Read more here.
• Playdate Superpark – Indoor activity park with a gigantic, triple story 450 square metre 3-dimensional maze; two Submarine Escape Rooms; an extreme high line ropes course and a kiddies mini maze. Read more here.
www.waterfront.co.za | +27 21 408 7600 | enquiries@waterfront.co.za