5 Best Sights in V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

An archaeological sight housing the remains of Cape Town's oldest cannon battery, this museum, which opened in 2008, reconstructs the outer battlements and underground rooms that formed one of the major defense outposts on the Cape. Detailed miniature replicas of the cannons and the different types of projectiles are fascinating, as are interpretative materials about the Cape's natural heritage at the time that the battery was in use. In addition, the museum always has an international photo exhibit on, including the Underwater Photographer of the Year. History buffs will also enjoy the surprisingly good walking tour of the Waterfront given by guides dressed in period costumes, which departs from the museum twice daily; reservations are recommended.

San Marco Bistro offers a wide variety of options from sandwiches and salads to pasta, meat, and seafood entrées. Although it's expensive for locals, most visitors find it very affordable. There are hundreds of places to eat at the Waterfront but not many such alfresco locations that are really outdoors in such close proximity to the working harbor. It's a good place to refuel and people-watch while shopping—or waiting to tour one of the naval vessels that occasionally open their doors to the public.

A bit of vibey Ibiza in laid-back Cape Town, this beach club is regarded as a fun and trendy place to hang out, and it's even family-friendly, with a children's play area. You can dine in the oceanfront restaurant, spend a day on the private (man-made) beach, or swim in the pool. At night DJs come on board for a livelier party atmosphere. On days when it's just too hot or raining, there's a covered pool and deck area. The restaurant is busy and a reservations-only spot at night. It sits in an unlikely spot, between two fish-processing warehouses, but there's no odor. Admission to use the beach and facilities is free, but you are expected to buy food and drink.

Inside the Union-Castle House, this museum explains the Cape's long history with the sea, in particular documenting the history of the Union-Castle shipping line. Before World War II many English-speaking South Africans looked upon England as home, even if they had never been there. The emotional link between the two countries was symbolized most strongly by the mail steamers, carrying both mail and passengers that sailed weekly between South Africa and England. Models of ships are accompanied by memorabilia such as a collection of postcards sold from the ships between 1910 and 1960. A fascinating re-creation of Cape Town harbor as it appeared in 1885, which was built by convicts, is on permanent display, as is a chilling exhibit about the SS Mendi, a cargo vessel turned troopship that was carrying the South African Native Labour Contingent to help with the war effort in France during World War I. She was accidentally rammed by a British cargo ship, resulting in the deaths of 607 Black troops.

If the scattered benches looking out at the harbor activity are full, this open-air space is a good spot to eat your take-away lunch—if there's no performance on. This popular outdoor space mounts performances ranging from concerts by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra to gigs by jazz and rock bands and even variety performances. (Check the Waterfront's website or its branch of the tourism office for a schedule of events.) The amphitheater stands on the site where, in 1860, a teenage Prince Alfred inaugurated the construction of a breakwater to protect ships in the harbor from devastating northwesterly winds.