Museums in Cape Town

Cape Town Museums & Galleries

Cape Town's cultural landscape includes the Iziko South African Museum for natural history and the National Gallery for fine art. The Iziko Slave Lodge and Robben Island Prison document the nation's political struggles, while the Bo-Kaap Museum preserves Islamic heritage. Specialized collections feature West African gold artifacts, South African diamonds, and the site of the world's first heart transplant. Naval history is showcased in Simon’s Town, while the 18 Gangster Museum provides insights into township social dynamics through immersive exhibits.

Cape Town Museums & Galleries — Map

A

Gold of Africa Museum

Located in the Martin Melck house, this small museum features an exhibit on the role of gold in Africa.

B

Cape Town Diamond Museum

Learn about South African diamond history and famous diamonds in this unique museum. It's definitely worth visiting.

LiebeB / CC BY-SA 4.0

C

Bo-Kaap

The Bo-Kaap is an area of Cape Town, South Africa formerly known as the Malay Quarter.

Nkansahrexford / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Iziko Bo Kaap Museum

Discover the traces of Islamic culture and explore its heritage left in the Cape Town area. A nice place definitely worth visiting.

Tiiu Sild / Public domain

E

Heart of Cape Town Museum

The Heart of Cape Town Museum is a museum complex in the Observatory suburb of Cape Town, South Africa.

Nkansahrexford / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

South African Jewish Museum

Are you interested in Jewish culture and history in South Africa? Here you can learn about a typical immigrant Jewish life, and see a number…

Discott / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Iziko South African Museum

The Iziko South African Museum is a South African national museum located in Cape Town.

Gimberg Nerf / Public domain

H

South African National Gallery

The Iziko South African National Gallery is the national art gallery of South Africa located in Cape Town.

Nkansahrexford / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Iziko Slave Lodge

When in Cape Town, don't miss out on this very informative museum focusing on the history of slavery in the area.

Georgio / CC-BY-SA-3.0

J

Rhodes Cottage Museum

Cecil John Rhodes was an English mining magnate and politician in southern Africa who served as Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1890…

Rodw / Public domain

K

Chavonnes Battery Museum

The Chavonnes Battery was a fortification protecting Cape Town, South Africa, built in the early 18th century.

Moheen Reeyad / CC BY-SA 4.0

L

Robben Island Prison

Maximum Security Prison is an inactive prison at Robben Island in Table Bay, 6.9 kilometers west of the coast of Bloubergstrand, Cape Town,…

M

South African Naval Museum

SAS Assegaai, formerly known as SAS Johanna van der Merwe, was a Daphné-class submarine of the South African Navy.

Nkansah Rexford / CC BY-SA 3.0

N

Hout Bay Museum

Hout Bay Museum is a province-aided museum at 4 Andrews Road in Hout Bay near Cape Town, South Africa.

Simon Just / CC BY-SA 3.0

O

Simonstown Museum

Established in 1977, Simon's Town Museum is a community museum situated in Simon's Town, a coastal town in the Western Cape Province of the…

P

MM Galleries

Why not buy a nice painting as a souvenir? In this gallery you can find and buy paintings for reasonable prices.

Q

18 Gangster Museum

Located in Khayelitsha, this museum uses immersive exhibits and tours led by former gang members to explore the history and social impact of gangsterism in South African townships.

R

Toy Musem

Would you like to see hundreds of toys in one place? Visit this toy museum and recall your childhood.

Other Lists

Cape Town Essentials Editor's Choice: Cape Town Highlights Cape Town Viewpoints & Peaks Beaches and Coastline Notable Religious Sites Cape Town Parks & Gardens Regional & Seafood Delights Top Shopping Destinations