Historic Sites • Islands
Admission tickets from RÂ 1Â 350
Cape Town Central Historic Sites
Historic Sites in Cape Town Central, South Africa
Cape Town Central Historic Sites
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16 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Speciality Museums • Historic Sites
Schotsche Kloof
Historic Sites
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Historic Walking Areas
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
What travellers are saying
- AmydoodahHalifax, UK28 contributionsWe visited yesterday and found it very moving, especially the tour of the prison buildings. Our tour was led by Dede Kgotso RJ Ntsoelengo, a former political prisoner. He was an amazing man and hearing his story was very moving, we really appreciate him sharing it. We were on the island for just over 2 hours and I would have liked to have spent more time reading the information displayed as well as the tour, but we're very glad we were able to visit.Written 1 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MikekEarlston, UK93 contributionsReally important to visit this place to get an understanding of the back story to Cape Town and the effects of colonialism and the horrific slave trade. Not a long or complex visit but worth an hour of your time.Written 13 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- HanGeelong, Australia38 contributionsMuseum was small and ok. It Didn’t have a lot of information within and took only a short time to look through all the rooms.Written 24 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Wombling_Free_7548Bristol, UK2Â 139 contributionsWorth visiting to see the statue of Nelson Mandela. An easy walk from the District 6 Museum and felt perfectly safe walking there.Written 6 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Tour Guide KevinNuremberg, Germany377 contributionsIt isn't easy getting a spot on this tour, but with a little luck and persistence you can do it. Contact Najwaa (she's the tour guide) at grooteschuur@telkomsa.net. This is a very interesting 2-hour tour that takes place in a beautiful old residence that once belonged to Cecil John Rhodes.Written 22 January 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jane WCape Town Central, South Africa207 contributionsThis is where Cecil Rhodes lived I believe...it is a very interesting house and well worth a visit...I imagine in his day the road was narrow and quiet...now, unfortunately it is crammed with cars all times of the day and into the evening...but this does not detract from the attraction that always surrounds anything to do with Rhode...love him or detest him...he is part of South Africa's history...Written 14 September 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jurgen BBrussels, Belgium2Â 869 contributionstoo bad that lighting was poor in many rooms but it's still the best way in the city to see how rich people lived long time ago. Cheap entry.Written 19 August 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- heike0rangeNewcastle upon Tyne, UK151 contributionsWe had a great couple of hours in the fort and an excellent guide to explain the history etc. Following the guided tour we had some refreshment at the small cafe (this was good and the banana loaf was excellent) before we ventured round the exhibit ourselves. Good displays and worth the time to visit.Written 26 March 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Robert ORotterdam, The Netherlands5Â 818 contributionsNow a museum, at this site the first 'Sendinggestig' was founded during the early 1800s. The mission of the gestig (meeting house) was to spread Christianity among groups outside the European realm. The bible was read together with interested people from among the Khoi, San, freed slaves and enslaved people. The latter only with permission of their owners, who were generally not keen on collaborating, as once coverted enslaved people who were married and had children could not be sold separately anymore! Gradually the 'gestig' developed into a church (1820 first minister appointed).
During the 1970s the church was restored with public funds and turned into a museum. Entry is free of charge.Written 30 November 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Chante_NicoleCape Town Central, South Africa37 contributionsfirstly the museum's totally hidden away and its located at an awkward spot. the interior's pretty good so if you're into vintage interior this is for you. the staff is friendly and its well maintained. nothing fascinating.Written 23 September 2015This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ronel Victor1Â 690 contributionsAbout 1796, this private Cape truncated cone tower-mill with a thatched cap, was build on a farm called "Welgelegen". When the British took control of the Cape and under control of the Dutch East India Company, private mills were rare. Mostert Mill is the oldest surviving and only complete windmill in South Africa. Just a pity we didn't had enough time to arrange for a tour, as we last visited the Mill in 1974.Written 28 May 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Nicholas HLondon, UK20Â 403 contributionsThese two benches - one labelled 'whites only', the other 'non-whites only' - have been installed by artist Roderick Sauls on either side of the entrance to the infamous High Court Annex, where all non-whites had to go to be racially classified under the Apartheid regime. There's an information plaque, which provides background on the annex and the regime. Sadly, racism is still present in S African society. This was perfectly illustrated as I stood looking at the benches with a visitor group, when a grossly overweight, middle-aged Afrikaner walked past and yelled at us 'apartheid worked'. It was a shocking moment, which brought home the reality of a nation still divided. If you're in Cape Town, you should try to visit this site but I hope you avoid any such incident becuase it really is a 'must see' location.Written 6 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- NicholasCape Town, South Africa3 contributionsGateway Guides are by far the best guides in Cape Town for history and hiking. And they are freely available at a lot of venues. No excuse not to get one.Written 19 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- hoosainnarkerCape Town Central, South Africa6Â 145 contributionsA historical spot and a well known landmark on the slopes of Devil's Peak, Table Mountain, was built by the British between 1795 - 1803. It was strategically placed to command views of both Table Bay and False Bay. It can be reached either from Rhodes Memorial or from Kirstenbosch or Table Mountain via the Contour path.
Nowadays it is very popular for bikers and trail runners but car must be taken as some muggings have taken place all over the mountain. From the Blockhouse, one can walk to Woodstock caves. It was declared a national monument in 1938.
Whilst it was a warm day, it was very windy on top, so care must be taken to have the appropriate clothing along. The distance of the walk from Rhodes Memorial is about 1.7km and it is upwards all the way, so a level of fitness is required. But once on top, the view is simply stunning from Table Bay to False Bay.
We had a Rasta along that knew all the values of plants, so for the kids in our group, we could tell them which had medicinal values and which could be used for food, etc. That was a bonus.Written 22 July 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - robdotinfoCape Town, South Africa163 contributionsThe art inside this small museum is wonderful: images of South Africa and its peoples in the form of lithographs, drawings and watercolours, dating from the late 1600s to the early 1800s. The richness of the history captured in the images is wonderful – and fascinating.
But, for some reason (to preserve the artworks perhaps), they are displayed in such low levels of light that not only can the images barely be seen, but visitors are likely to fall over low tables placed in the centre of each room (not kidding, I didn’t see it at all).
The garden is unkempt and full of weeds. You can see that it was magnificent at one time; it’s sad to see it as it is now.
The buildings are in a dreadful state, paint peeling, tiles cracking and woodwork rotting. The gazebo in the garden is beginning to sag to one side. It’s a depressing prospect for a lovely, historical building.
The brass work is shiny and bright however – the air was filled with smell of polish as one of the staff busily applied elbow grease to the metal fittings. Incongruous to say the least.
There's a friendly little black cat - he crossed our path in the garden and then came up to us to have a chat. Good luck?
The museum really needs to find a different way to display the art – perhaps each room could be equipped with a sensor that turns the light up when someone enters.
This could be an 4 or 5-star attraction with a little effort - a little maintenance and better display of the art is all that needs to happen.Written 21 July 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
