Things to Do

We are able to arrange a massage therapist to come to Devonport House at your convenience. Whether after a long flight, or after a great day out, why not let your mind wander and your body float? (Please book this with us as far in advance as possible.)

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront - which Capetonians call "the V&A" or "The Waterfront" for short - is named after Britain's Prince Alfred, who began constructing the city's harbour in 1860, and of course his mother, Queen Victoria.

The V&A is structured around five shopping districts: Victoria Wharf, the Watershed, the Alfred Mall and Pierhead, the Clock Tower, and Breakwater Point. With more than 450 stores, it is Cape Town's premier retail and lifestyle destination. Here, shoppers will find everything from bespoke, locally designed crafts to luxury international brands, and the complex is home to many of the city's drawcards, such as the amazing Two Oceans aquarium, sunset yacht cruises, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art - a must for art lovers - and the Cape Wheel, a ferris wheel giving a magnificent vista over the city towards Table Mountain. 

The ferry trip to Robben Island, the infamous prison woven into the sad fabric of South Africa's past, launches from the V&A. But the Waterfront also encompasses 22 landmarks which nod to other aspects of Cape Town's history. A self-guided walking route (or, a 90-minute guided tour option) loops through many of these places of interest, including unusual touchpoints such as the Chavonnes Battery Museum, the harbour’s oldest heritage site, dating back to 1725. Further details about this, and any of the myriad things to explore and experience at the Waterfront, are available at the helpful Information Centre at the V&A. 

Cape Town’s history in arts and culture is layered and  has many stories to tell. It is made up of both light and dark passages which lends itself to an artistic and cultural scene of great depth and creativity. The mix of cultures and people in the Mother City has created an eclectic and exciting tapestry of art, design, theatre and music.

Cape Town’s arts and music scene is exciting and innovative and there are a number of local theatres and performance spaces offering the best of our homegrown talents. Large scale operas and musicals equalling the West End and Broadway are generally staged in Cape Town’s biggest theatre venue ,the Artscape Theatre Centre. While the more intimate space of the Fugard Theatre is home to award winning local musicals and critically acclaimed theatre pieces – both local and international. Intimate venues, backyards, training spaces, community theatres and city festivals offer an amazing and exciting way of experiencing the diversity of talent and theatre that Cape Town performers bring to their audiences.

From authentic arts and crafts and artisanal food that will have you returning for more to perfectly functional electrical goods that are about a quarter of the price than in the store and handcrafted gifts made by charismatic entrepreneurs; you can expect to find everything and anything amidst the hustle and bustle of Cape Town's marketplaces. 

Oranjezicht City Farm Market                                                                                                    Despite the name, this local farmer’s market is actually located under tents and trees in the Granger Bay section of the V&A Waterfront. Boasting stunning sea views and a range of fresh produce, the market celebrates local food, culture and community in support of the educational mission of the nonprofit Oranjezicht City Farm. It is managed by the same people who started urban farms, and who work together to promote small-scale food production in the city.
When Saturday, 09h00-14h00(rain or shine)
Sunday, 09h00-15h00

V&A Food Market                                                                                                                                 If you like your artisanal street food affordable and open seven days a week and served with live music on the weekends, you’ll love the V&A Food Market at the Old Power Station.

Greenmarket Square                                                                                                                    You'll find arts and crafts, hand painted fabrics, wood carvings, glassware, clothing, curios and much more at one of Cape Town's oldest markets. Visit between 09:00 and 16:00 from Monday to Friday and between 09h00 and 15h00every Saturday to meet vibrant market sellers.

Woodstock Neighbourgoods Market                                                                                            This award-winning market features over 100 specialty traders every Saturday, creating a weekly platform for local farmers, fine-food purveyors, organic merchants, bakers, grocers, mongers, butchers, artisanal producers and celebrated local chefs to showcase and sell their delicious wares.   09h00-15h00

The Bay Harbour Market                                                                                                              From its seaside perch, this indoor weekend market has put the town of Hout Bay back on the map as it celebrates Cape Town, and South Africa as a whole, as a hub of creativity, culture and cuisine.