The Clock Tower

Overview

A Symbol of History

Available on the Red City Tour and Blue Mini Peninsula Tour, The Clock Tower on the V&A Waterfront is a great historical landmark. The V&A Waterfront lies between Robben Island and Table Mountain in the heart of Cape Town's working harbour. Originally upgraded when a greater public access was needed in the harbour back in the 1970’s.

Today the V&A Waterfront has become South Africa's most visited destination and a hot-spot for Cape Town sightseeing, while boasting exciting shopping and entertainment venues. At the same time the venue caters for the business world by offering office locations, world-class hotels and luxury apartments allowing everyone the chance to live, work, shop and play at the V&A Waterfront.

› Visit a symbol of Cape Town’s sea-faring history, The Clock Tower
› Take a look at the view from inside the Clock Tower
› Evoke your mind with images of early harbour activities

The V&A Waterfront Clock Tower is situated in the Cape Town harbour close by to the site of the original Bertie's Landing Restaurant. This red and white building is instantly recognisable by its Victorian Gothic-style architecture has always been an icon of the old docks and has become an important focal point in the Waterfront's recent urban design. Much of its charm lies in the fact that this busy commercial harbour is set in the midst of a huge entertainment venue with waterfront restaurants, specialty shops, craft markets, theatres and movies.

Inside the Clock Tower

› Enter the original Port Captain’s office
› View the various floors each built with their own purpose
› See the original clock’s mechanism from inside

The Clock Tower boasts an old tidal-gauge mechanism on the bottom floor, which was used to check tide levels. The second floor holds a decorative mirror room, which enabled the Port Captain a full view of all harbour activities. The clock mechanism can be found on the top floor and thanks to the restoration of this national monument in 1997, the original clock is still in use today.

Abuzz with Activity

› Purchase a souvenir at The Clock Tower Centre where you’ll find an array of arts and crafts outlets. It is also here where you can enjoy some delicious waterfront dining
› See Cape fur seals regularly swimming or lazing about around the old tyres that line the quayside
› Enjoy a Cape Town cruise around the harbour or even visit Robben Island
› Explore the history and science behind this precious stone at the Shimansky diamond Museum
› Visit the Chavonnes Cannon Battery Museum and see part of the ruins retained for public viewing
› See where convicts, who worked on the breakwater, were housed at the Breakwater Prison

Buzzing with activity, The Clock Tower acts as a doorway to many sightseeing opportunities and tourism within the Cape Town harbour and definitely a stop you’ll remember.