The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is one of South Africa’s top tourist attractions and is partially responsible for the City of Cape Town’s success as a top holiday destination. According to reports, this wealthy establishment receives more than 23 million visitors a year. In other words, that’s an average of over 60 000 visitors per day! Cape Town’s Waterfront is not only rich in all the shopping, dining and entertainment attractions, activities and so much more on offer but additionally for its impressive historical background. The highlights of the V&A Waterfront cater to holidaymakers and business travellers alike.

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is situated in the middle of Cape Town’s working harbour and is a breathtaking sight from out on the ocean with the magnificent Table Mountain behind it. Just a few minutes way from the Cape Town City Centre and Cape Town Stadium, this holiday attraction is easily travelled to by car with affordable parking provided or via the convenient MyCiTi bus service.

The History of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront has quite a lengthy history that we will only partially explore. The area that is now the Waterfront of Cape Town was first turned into a small jetty in 1654, courtesy of Jan van Riebeeck, as part of the colonial administrator’s task to establish a refreshment station at the south-western tip of Africa. Over 200 years later intense winter storms around the Cape wrecked over 30 vessels, leading to Midshipman HRH Prince Alfred, Queen Victoria’s second son, to commence building Cape Town’s first harbour, the Alfred Basin in 1860. A short time after this, after the discovery of gold and diamonds in South Africa, the harbour had to be expanded and the Victoria Basin was built. The two basins were completed in 1920. Between 1938 and 1945 the Foreshore was built. In 1988, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (Pty) Ltd was established as a subsidiary of Transnet Ltd to redevelop the docklands around the Victoria and Alfred Basins as mixed-use area focusing on tourism, retail and residential development, while the working harbour continued to operate, to this present day.

You might still ask: ‘What makes Cape Town’s Waterfront the star tourist destination it is?’

Below we will present just some of the establishments and activities found in and around the V&A Waterfront since this post would be too long if every attraction and facility was included.

The Attractions in and around the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

No matter what the needs or wants are of visitors, at the Waterfront of Cape Town they will be satisfied.

One of the primary reasons people visit the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront would be to shop. Shopping is more than possible here with over 450 retail outlets selling everything that visitors could want, including fashion, jewellery, homeware, audiovisual equipment, leather goods, curios and so much more.

Some of the best restaurants in Cape Town are at the V&A Waterfront and with over 80 to choose from, you could visit this tourist attraction several times without fully exploring them all. From casual and commercial establishments to eateries offering the finer dining experience, and the gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean, visitors will leave at the end of their time here feeling totally satisfied.

When you’re looking for a break from the shopping and eating, checking out the entertainment offered at the Cape Town Waterfront is definitely a good idea. Various vocal, instrumental and dancing acts, as well as creative workshops, are found throughout the area. The amphitheatre is usually used as a stage for event launches and is certainly a place to relax as you enjoy what’s on offer.

For those looking for something else, numerous activities are found in and around the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Families can visit the Two Oceans Aquarium that features over 3000 marine creatures including penguins, turtles and sharks. Seven exhibition galleries await anyone desiring to explore this picturesque attraction, just 5 minutes away from the V&A Waterfront. While you’re here you can enjoy some refreshment at the Shoreline Café or even go diving in the aquarium, close to many of the residents who stay in the aquarium (this is only possible if you have an Open Water 1 qualification and present your dive card, logbook or certificate when you arrive)!

For a more exhilarating activity, choose one of the many helicopter tours on offer at the Cape Town Waterfront. Experience thrilling rides in the sky as you take tours along the Atlantic coastline, to the Cape Winelands and even to Ceres to go on a Safari tour in a 4×4!

Anyone interested in learning more about the history of Cape Town and the V&A Waterfront can go on a guided or self-guided tour of the Chavonnes Battery Museum, where visitors can learn in detail how the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront began and how it has progressed until today.

The departure point for the Robben Island Tour is at the V&A Waterfront. Find out more about the island that was the prison for many who opposed the old regime of South Africa and learn just how great the character of Nelson Mandela was, for having endured so many years on the island, yet still determined to bring about a peaceful democracy to his country.

For some laughs, a visit to the Cape Town Comedy Club is just the thing to do. Formerly known as Jou Ma Se Comedy Club, this establishment, located in the historic Pumphouse, is a venue for stand-up comedy as well as a scrumptious dining. Enjoy delicious meals blended together with the entertainment of original and outrageous comedy.

The kids and adults can enjoy a short but relaxing train ride on the Art of the Brick Train that provides a lovely view of the Cape Town Waterfront. It connects the Kids Ahoy Playground Area with the Watershed.

Business and corporate visitors are catered for as well at the V&A Waterfront. Over 40 conference rooms, as well as function rooms, are available for organisers, suitable for groups ranging from 4 to 450. A Professional conference management team is on standby to help with all logistical issues and catering and media facilities are all available to ensure that business will effectively be conducted.

Anyone wishing to host an event at the Cape Town Waterfront is welcome to contact the events team with a proposal. The V&A Waterfront is host to numerous exciting events throughout the year.

If you are perhaps a tourist visiting the Cape and keen on accessing this famous South African attraction with little effort, accommodation is offered here in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and nearby. The choices range between hotels in or near the V&A Waterfront or self-catering accommodation out on the nearby V&A Waterfront Marina.

Experience the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for Yourself!

Now that you have a better idea of how much is offered at Cape Town’s alluring Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, make sure you visit whenever you’re enjoying accommodation in and around the Mother City. As you explore, you will soon experience for yourself why it is one of South Africa’s leading holiday attractions and why millions flock here every year.