Cape Town - Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Downtown and Views of Table Mountain

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (V&A) is filled with shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. Once a working dock area of oil tanks, fishing boats, and grimy buildings, the V&A has taken the best ideas of other successful waterfront ventures around the world and incorporated them into the existing Cape Town dock area. The result is a fun place to spend the day, and an even better place to enjoy drinks and dinner outdoors in the evening. The views of downtown Cape Town and Table Mountain on one side and of the harbor on the other are marvelous.

Cruise ships like the Silver Wind can dock right at the V&A. Several hotels are within walking distance of the V&A, and others such as the excellent-value Westin Grand have a free shuttle that frequently runs to the waterfront.

The boat tours to Robben Island run from the Nelson Mandela Gateway located next to the Old Clock Tower at the V&A, so a visit to Robben Island can be incorporated with shopping time and lunch at the V&A.