Audio Guide: Cape Town Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Cape Town

City Hall is a sizeable Edwardian-style building that was built in 1905. It is constructed from light-colored limestone imported from Bath, England.

The turret clock, or tower clock, dominates the center of the building. It's half the size of London's famous Big Ben clock and strikes the hour and chimes the quarters.

The carillon, a set of tower bells, was installed as a World War I memorial. An additional 22 bells were installed to celebrate the Prince of Wales's visit in 1925. The carillon has a total of 39 bells and is the only active carillon in South Africa. It is played by a complicated set of wooden levers and pedals.

Inside, the Grand Hall is a major attraction. It features polished marble, stained-glass windows, and one of the largest pipe organs in the Southern Hemisphere, built by the renowned British firm Harrison & Harrison. The hall is still used for concerts and civic events, making it a wonderful place to experience Cape Town’s cultural life.

On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison. He gave his first public address from the balcony of City Hall.

The City Hall’s location also adds to its appeal. It sits directly across from the Grand Parade, South Africa’s oldest public square, and offers lovely views toward Table Mountain. Its central position makes it an easy stop for visitors exploring nearby markets, museums, and historic streets, blending architectural beauty, cultural depth, and powerful history in one visit.

The Castle of Good Hope is Cape Town’s oldest surviving colonial building and one of South Africa’s most important historical landmarks. Built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company, this five-pointed star-shaped fortress sits at the edge of the city center, with Table Mountain rising dramatically behind it. Thick stone walls, bastions, and courtyards immediately transport visitors back to the early days of European settlement at the Cape.

One of the main attractions is the Castle’s well-preserved military architecture. Visitors can explore the ramparts and bastions, which offer excellent views of the city and harbor, while learning how the fort once defended the settlement from attack. The central courtyard is another highlight, often hosting ceremonies, markets, and cultural events that bring the historic space to life.

Inside the Castle, several museums and exhibitions showcase Cape Town’s layered history. The William Fehr Collection displays period furniture, paintings, and decorative arts from the 17th to 19th centuries, offering insight into colonial life at the Cape. Other exhibits focus on military history, the Dutch East India Company, and the Castle’s changing role over time, from fortress to administrative center and prison.

Daily ceremonies add to the visitor experience. The traditional Key Ceremony, held in the late afternoon, reenacts the symbolic locking of the Castle’s gates, while the firing of the noon gun (on selected days) reflects long-standing military traditions.

The Castle is closely linked to South Africa’s military history. It has been continuously occupied by military forces for more than 300 years — first by the Dutch East India Company, later the British, and eventually the South African military. Many British officers, including those involved in the Napoleonic Wars, lived and worked here after Britain took control of the Cape in 1806.

The District Six Museum stands as a powerful reminder of the forced displacement of more than 60,000 inhabitants during the apartheid era in the 1970s. Housed in a former Methodist church, the museum is deeply rooted in the history of the inner-city residential area once known as District Six. Established by the District Six Foundation in 1994, the museum serves as a memorial to the diverse community that once thrived there before their lives were irrevocably altered by apartheid’s oppressive policies.

At the heart of the museum is a large map of the district laid out on the floor, annotated with handwritten notes by former residents. These markings indicate the locations of their former homes, adding a deeply personal and emotional dimension to the experience. Visitors are encouraged to walk around the map, reading the names and stories, which creates a strong sense of connection to the people who once lived there. Among these residents was the celebrated jazz musician Abdullah Ibrahim, also known as Dollar Brand.

The museum also houses a wide range of compelling artifacts, including original street signs, photographs, household objects, and official government notices that declared District Six a “whites-only” area. Multimedia displays, recorded oral histories, and rotating exhibitions further bring everyday life in the district to life, from family celebrations and local businesses to political resistance and community activism. Together, these elements make the District Six Museum not only an important historical site, but also a deeply moving and memorable stop for tourists seeking to understand Cape Town’s social history.

The museum's coffee shop serves coffee, tea, juices, and light snacks, including traditional South African treats like koeksisters — a sweet, syrupy pastry that many visitors enjoy after seeing the museum exhibits.

The Slave Lodge is an interesting museum to visit as it pays tribute to the thousands of slaves brought to Cape Town between the 17th and 19th centuries.

The lodge was built in 1679 and it was here that the Dutch East India Company housed up to a thousand slaves in unsanitary, cramped conditions. The original lodge had no windows and was built of unadorned brick, but today it is a smart, white-washed building that tells the story of the African and Asian slaves who lived and worked in the city.

Through interactive displays, you will learn about slave family roots, their way of life and how some of them settled in the city after winning their freedom.

The museum has a small but excellent collection of Egyptian artifacts that date back to 3050BC, including silver items, textiles, toys, and tools. You can admire a superb collection of Greek vases and ceramics, pottery and cuneiform tablets from the Roman occupation of the Near East.

Between 1811 and 1911 the lodge changed hands several times: it was a post office, a public library, a small prison, and the Supreme Court. In the courtyard, you will see the tombstones (but not the graves) of Cape Town’s founder, Jan Van Riebeeck and his wife Maria.

The Parliament Building of South Africa, located in the heart of Cape Town, is one of the country’s most significant political and historical landmarks. Set at the top of Government Avenue, at the edge of the historic Company’s Garden, the complex reflects South Africa’s long and evolving democratic journey. The original section of Parliament was completed in the late 19th century, with later additions blending neoclassical and Cape Dutch architectural influences.

For visitors, one of the main attractions is the opportunity to view a working seat of government. When Parliament is in session, visitors may observe debates from the public galleries, offering a rare glimpse into South Africa’s democratic process. Guided tours, available on selected days, provide insight into the building’s history, architecture, and political significance, including key moments from the apartheid era and the transition to democracy.

The interiors are rich in symbolism and craftsmanship. Highlights include the National Assembly chamber, with its distinctive seating layout and design, and the Old Assembly, which tells the story of earlier parliamentary traditions. Artworks, portraits of past leaders, and ceremonial spaces further reflect the country’s complex political heritage.

Equally appealing is the surrounding setting. Parliament overlooks the leafy Company’s Garden, one of Cape Town’s most pleasant public spaces, home to historic statues, museums, and cafés. With Table Mountain rising in the background, the Parliament Building is not only a center of political power but also a visually striking and educational stop for visitors interested in South Africa’s history, governance, and civic life.

Company’s Garden is one of Cape Town’s oldest and most cherished public spaces, offering a peaceful green retreat in the heart of the city. Established in the 1650s by the Dutch East India Company, the garden was originally created to supply fresh produce to passing ships. Today, it blends centuries of history with landscaped lawns, towering oak trees, and shaded pathways, making it a popular stop for both tourists and locals.

One of the garden’s main attractions is its collection of historic monuments and statues. Visitors will find memorials to key figures in South African history, including statues of Queen Victoria, Jan Smuts, and Cecil John Rhodes. These monuments reflect the country’s layered and often complex past, adding depth to a leisurely stroll through the grounds.

A pear tree planted in 1652 is still growing in the garden and is the oldest cultivated tree in South Africa. The pear tree is located toward the eastern side of the garden, near the South African National Gallery and the Iziko South African Museum. It stands in a small fenced area to protect it due to its age.

Other historical features include the Rutherford Fountain, installed in 1864, and a well pump embedded in an oak tree, dating back to 1842. These charming relics offer visitors a tangible connection to the garden’s early history.

Wildlife adds to the garden’s charm. Friendly squirrels are a familiar sight, and the aviary showcases a selection of birds. Benches, cafés, and open lawns invite visitors to pause, enjoy a picnic, or simply take in views of Table Mountain rising above the city skyline.

Saint George’s Cathedral on Wale Street is renowned for two things: the first is its beautiful stained glass windows; the second is that even after 120 years, it still isn’t finished!

The cathedral was designed on the site of a former church by Sir Henry Baker in 1901. Building started in 1906, but due to a lack of funds, the North Transept wasn’t finished until 1936. By this time Sir Henry had returned to England, where he died ten years later.

Work dragged on slowly over the years. The Lady Chapel and the south aisle were completed in 1963, the Bell Tower and the Link in 1978. The cathedral is still waiting for the Chapter House to be added onto the end of the Link.

In 1982 the French stained-glass artist Gabriel Loire donated the magnificent window entitled “Christ in Triumph over Darkness and Evil” to the cathedral. This masterpiece is dedicated to the memory of Earl Mountbatten of Burma, the last Viceroy of India. The beautiful rose window is in the South Transept and in the Link is a window dating back to 1866 of the Last Supper.

In the cathedral gardens, you can walk the Labyrinth and buy souvenirs in the Cathedral Book and Bric-à-Brac Shop opposite the church. This great shop not only sells religious books but also cookbooks, children’s stories, and fiction. You can browse through the CDs or old records, pictures and paintings, antiques and occasionally small items of furniture.

Tip:
Be sure to visit the crypt and the beautiful wooden homage to Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the entrance leading to the Company Garden.

Greenmarket Square, nestled in the heart of Cape Town's Central Business District, is a vibrant and historical marketplace that has evolved through various incarnations over the years. From its early days as a slave market to serving as a fruit and vegetable market, and even functioning as a parking lot, today it stands as a bustling flea market cherished by both locals and tourists alike.

The square offers a unique shopping experience, with its ancient cobblestones adding to the charm and providing a stark contrast to the dynamic, cosmopolitan vibe of Cape Town. The market is renowned for its wide array of informal traders who showcase a diverse range of merchandise that reflects the rich tapestry of African traditions. Shoppers can find an assortment of goods such as batiks, beadwork, sculptures, glassware, jewelry, clothing, footwear, music CDs, sunglasses, and paintings, all offered at reasonable prices.

One of the defining features of Greenmarket Square is the blend of cross-continental merchandise, which includes items from various African cultures like the Masai, Xhosa, Zulu, and the Bade tribe from Senegal. This melting pot of cultures not only offers a glimpse into the continent's diverse heritage but also allows for a shopping experience that is both adventurous and educational.

The square is not just about shopping; it's also a place where visitors can engage with the friendly, vibrant vendors who embody the diverse cultures of Cape Town. The atmosphere is further enlivened by entertainers such as buskers, drummers, jugglers, and mime artists, who add to the lively ambiance and make shopping at Greenmarket Square an unforgettable experience.

Adding to the square's appeal are the surrounding restaurants and cafés, where visitors can savor delicious local dishes and drinks. The location of Greenmarket Square is also a significant draw, as it is situated within walking distance from several key historical and cultural landmarks, including the Company Gardens, Houses of Parliament, South African Museum, Pan African Market, Castle of Good Hope, and the Old Town House, which showcases early Cape Dutch architecture and houses an important collection of Dutch and Flemish Masters' artworks.

If you want to do some up market shopping, you should go to Adderley Street, which is the main street in Cape Town’s downtown district.

The street runs from Heerengracht to the entrance of Company Gardens, after which it becomes Government Avenue. It was named after the British Member of Parliament, Charles Bowyer Adderley, who fought against the British Government’s plans to turn the Cape area into a penal colony like Australia.

The street is full of shops, restaurants and offices. At night markets flourish and during the day a permanent market in the square in front of Central Station sells leather goods and curios. You will also find the famous Flower Market where freshly cut flowers have been sold on this spot for over 100 years.

Along the street there is the entrance to the Golden Acre, which is the oldest shopping center in South Africa. Another building of note is the Groote Kerk on Church Square. At the end of the street you will discover the Slave Lodge Museum.

In front of the museum’s entrance is a statue of Jan Smuts, who was a member of the British War Cabinet and who helped create the Royal Air Force. From 1919 to 1924 and from 1939 to 1948 he was the Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa.