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V & A Waterfront - Abundant Shopping and Entertainment

Topping the list as one of the most visited attractions in Cape Town, is the V & A Waterfront, or Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. It is set in the working harbor of Cape Town, against the breathtaking Table Mountain and spectacular ocean views.

The V & A Waterfront is surrounded by historical waterfront heritage, such as the Clock Tower, Time Ball Tower, Robben Island, Seal Landing, Breakwater Prison, Chavonnes Battery and the South African Maritime Museum. Two harbor basins, the Alfred and Victoria basins, had their construction between 1860 and 1920, and in the 1970’s a wider use for the harbour was heralded by public demand, and in 1988 the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (Pty) Ltd, was brought in to redevelop the docklands.

Today, this attraction in Cape Town has all a tourist could want from a destination, and more. The V& A Waterfront has a number of luxury hotels to choose from, with professional staff and magnificent views of the harbor, ocean and surrounding areas. And if you have decided to extend your visit indefinitely, the V & A Waterfront also has its own V&A Marina Residential area.

The shopping center situated within the V & A Waterfront, offers a shopping extravaganza, with clothing stores, curio shops and exclusive boutiques. Restaurants, pubs, winery, fast food outlets, coffee shops, and taverns, ensure an endless supply of food and drink for the weary traveler.

If you want to get up close and personal to a shark or two, from a very safe distance, the Two Oceans Aquarium provides a viewing sanctuary for all sea creatures, and will have you entranced for hours.

Or a boat trip through the V & A Waterfront, will take you past most of the historical buildings, with a local tour guide to transport you through the background of each structure.

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront also hosts entertainment events, some annually, some on a monthly basis, and others are permanently available such as galleries and movie houses. And the entertainment does not end there. The V & A Waterfront is also home to a local seal population, with their residential area being the jetties, barrier tires and any sun warmed rock that is suitable for sun tanning.