The V&A Waterfront at a glance
The V&A Waterfront is the harbour district of Cape Town, with the mountain as its backdrop. Most visitors come for three things: the Watershed design market, the Zeitz MOCAA art museum in the old grain silo, and the ferry to Robben Island, which leaves from the Nelson Mandela Gateway.
This is an independent guide. It is not run by the Waterfront company, the museum or any ferry operator. Walking around the district costs nothing, but the museum, the island ferry and the cableway each have their own ticket, and none of them includes the others.
V&A Waterfront attractions compared
Prices and times for 2026. Confirm opening hours before a special trip.
| Place | What it is | Hours | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watershed | Design and craft market next to the Two Oceans Aquarium | Daily 10:00–19:00 | – |
| Zeitz MOCAA | Contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, in a converted grain silo | Daily 10:00–18:00, last entry 17:30 | R350, under 18 free |
| Robben Island ferry | Boat and bus tour of the former high-security prison | From 09:00, season dependent | R600 adults, R310 children (non-South Africans) |
Check the admission price and the parking tariff for the Watershed on arrival rather than assuming it is free.
Cape Town tours and day trips
Cableway tickets, Table Mountain hikes, Cape Point and city tours, with live prices and availability.
Watershed: the design market
The Watershed is a design and craft market beside the Two Oceans Aquarium. It lists more than 150 local vendors and over 360 brands. It is open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00 and is wheelchair accessible.
You can reach it by car, MyCiTi bus, e-hailing or the City Sightseeing bus. The nearest car park listed is the Portswood Parking Garage.
Zeitz MOCAA and the Silo District
The museum shows contemporary art from Africa and the diaspora.
Admission
General admission is R350, up from R265 until 31 August 2026. Visitors under 18 enter free. The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:30.
African visitors
On-site tickets cost R199 with a South African ID or an African passport. On Wednesdays, African nationals enter free if they arrive between 10:00 and 13:00, and can stay until 18:00.
Free guided tour
A one-hour tour runs Monday to Friday at 12:30. Sign up on arrival, because places are limited. Admission is separate.
Robben Island ferries from the Waterfront
The gateway is on the Waterfront. The ticket is a separate product.
Departure times
From 1 September to 30 April the ferries leave at 09:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00. From 1 May to 30 August the listed departures are 09:00, 11:00 and 13:00. All sailings depend on weather and demand.
Time needed
Plan on about 3.5 to 4 hours including both crossings. One crossing takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the boat.
Check-in
Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Boarding closes 10 minutes before. Digital and printed tickets are accepted, and booking early is advised.
Robben Island guide →Getting to the Waterfront
The district is on the harbour, below the mountain.
The Watershed market lists access by car, MyCiTi bus, e-hailing and the City Sightseeing bus. If you drive, the Portswood Parking Garage is the nearest car park listed for the market. Confirm the parking tariff on arrival. If you plan to take the bus, you need your own charged myconnect card, because MyCiTi does not take cash on board.
Parking and bus fares change, so treat any figure you read, including on this page, as the one for 2026 and confirm it before you travel.
Staying at the Waterfront
The district lists several hotels, in two areas.
The Silo Hotel and the Radisson RED Hotel stand in the Silo District. Cape Grace and One&Only Cape Town stand in the Pierhead District. The Victoria & Alfred Hotel is also listed. This tells you where each one is, not how good it is or whether it has rooms on your dates. Our where to stay guide covers other areas of Cape Town.
A hotel next to a popular attraction does not make belongings safe. Leave luggage and valuables at your accommodation before you go sightseeing, and read the safety guide before you walk or hike.
Fit the Waterfront around the mountain
Two simple day plans.
Island morning, market afternoon
Take the 09:00 ferry to Robben Island, be back at the Gateway around 13:00, then spend the afternoon at the Watershed and the museum. Book the ferry first, because its times are fixed.
Cableway first, harbour later
Ride the cableway early, when the first car leaves, and come down to the Waterfront for the museum. The cableway runs only in suitable weather, so keep the harbour plan as your fallback. The weather guide explains closures.
V&A Waterfront: frequently asked questions
Is the V&A Waterfront free to enter?
You can walk around the district without a ticket. The Zeitz MOCAA museum, the Robben Island ferry and the cableway each need their own ticket. For the Watershed market, check the price on arrival.
How much is Zeitz MOCAA?
General admission is R350 in 2026, after a rise on 1 September 2026. Under-18s are free. On-site tickets for visitors with a South African ID or African passport cost R199.
What time does the Watershed open?
It is open every day from 10:00 to 19:00.
Where does the Robben Island ferry leave from?
From the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the Waterfront. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.
How long should I plan for the Waterfront?
Plan about 3.5 to 4 hours for the Robben Island tour, which is the longest single item. The market and the museum are easier to fit around it, because both open from 10:00.