LocalPlaces Understanding Cape Town Walking Tour

5.0 (25 reviews) 4 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

25 reviews

5.0

Walking pass Battery Park to the city. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Leaving the Watefront and walking into the Foreshore. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Guided personally by author and storyteller, Gerald Garner, this is the most insightful tour you will find about Cape Town. An absolute must-do experience. This is not merely a tour but a mesmerizing storytelling experience. It will provide you with insight and understanding of the history and make-up of this fascinating city. And it will make you understand the entire South African story. With this knowledge, you will enjoy the rest of your visit to the city and country much more!

This 4-hour walking tour is easy, covering 3,5km. It is for the curiously minded, but also includes opportunity for sightseeing, photography, experiencing the vibe of the city – and even a stop or two for drinks and sampling a local delicacy.

The tour focuses on the background story of Cape Town. We start off with the 1870s Industrial Revolution and the Scramble for Africa before returning to pre-colonial history and moving on all the way to the early 20th Century.

Join us for sure!

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: 4 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 20 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: LocalPlaces

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–11 years) · Youth (12–17 years) · Adults (18–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: The fee is for guiding/storytelling.

Not included

Not included: Snacks: Any food or drinks along they way is for the customer's own account on the day.

Itinerary

V&A Waterfront

30 min

The tour starts at Ginja Restaurant at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, V&A Waterfront. Simply the spot with the best view of the city and Table Mountain, as well as the surrounding harbour - originally excavated under the supervision of Prince Alfred, son on Queen Victoria in the era of British expansion into Africa.
Stop 2

30 min

We amble along the walkways of the Canal District, stopping along the way for storytelling and take in the views from Battery Park with its skate park, basket ball courts and more. A great green rooftop space in the city.
Stop 3

30 min

From the Waterfront we walk into the Foreshore area of the city, built on 194 ha of land reclaimed from the sea and today dominated by modernist buildings, before walking to the more historic part of the city.
Stop 4

45 min

We stop for drinks, storytelling and one of the best views in the city. From here you can see Green Point Stadium, the Waterfront, Table Bay, Blouberg, the Foreshore, the old city centre and of course Table Mountain.

It is also the best viewspot from which to photograph the colourful and historically-significant Bo-Kaap district.
Stop 5

15 min

The tour ends at this historic complex of buildings dating the the 1750s. Today the home of a boutique hotel and a number of eateries, restaurants, bars and retail spaces. The courtyard boasts the oldest grapevine in the city!
Greenmarket Square

15 min

We admire the incredible Art Deco buildings surrounding the square and pause for some curio market browsing too
St Georges Mall

25 min

We explore maginficent architecture and history along this pedestrianized street.
Company's Gardens

20 min

We explore the spectacular garden that started out as a vegetable garden for the Dutch East India Company but became a Victorian Park over time. Today it is a stellar city park in the heart of Cape Town.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

We meet at the Native Roasters Coffee Counter inside Ginja Restaurant at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, V&A Waterfront. Find the entrance next to Nobel Square with the Nobel Peace Prize sculptures, opposite the Time Out Market

End point

The tour ends in the spectacular Company's Garden along Queen Victoria Street.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.