Planning a trip to the museum? From art to archaeology, from South Africa to Egypt, the museums in Cape Town cover various topics.
This list is a selection of museums that I’ve personally visited; there are many others not listed here. Please double-check opening hours on the institution’s website before planning a trip since these are liable to change due to changing lockdown levels.
Art Museums
Art museums enjoy much popularity in the city; here are three to visit:
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCAA)
Location: Cape Town City Centre
Opening Hours: Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm
Admission Fee: R210
Membership cost: R280
This includes unlimited entrance for a year plus other benefits.
Look forward to:
- Stunning architecture
- Wide variety of media
Iziko South African National Gallery
Location: Cape Town City Centre
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:30 to 15:30 with sanitisation in between sessions.
Admission Fee: R30 (adults) /R15 (students & pensioners)/ free on Fridays for students & pensioners
Membership: R200 (adults) / R100 (students)
This includes unlimited entrance for a year plus other benefits.
Look forward to:
- Iconic South African artists
- Artworks from various periods
Norval Foundation
Location: Tokai
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday (excl. Tuesday) from 9am to 5pm
Admission Fee: R190
Membership: R350
This includes unlimited entrance for a year plus other benefits.
Look forward to:
- Sculpture garden
- Large collection of 20th-century South African art
History Museums
I’m not aware of any museum in the city that comprehensively addresses South African history. Two of the Iziko museums are the best bet.
Iziko Slave Lodge
Location: Cape Town City Centre
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 15:30 with sanitisation in between sessions.
Admission Fee: R30 (adults) /R15 (students & pensioners)/ free on Fridays for students & pensioners
Look forward to:
- Evocative atmosphere (formerly a slave residence)
- African pottery collection
Iziko South African Museum (ISAM)
The Iziko South African Museum, while focusing on natural history, has some social history exhibits.
Location: Cape Town City Centre
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 15:30 with sanitisation in between sessions.
Admission Fee: R30 (adults) / R15 (students & pensioners)/ free on Fridays for students & pensioners
Membership: R330 (adults) / R220 (students)
Look forward to:
- Current exhibition (until April 2022) on the 1000-year-old Lydenburg Heads
Community Museums
These museums offer in-depth insight into particular areas in Cape Town and work closely with community projects.
The Simon’s Town Museum
Location: Simon’s Town
Opening Hours: temporarily closed; admission by appointment only
Admission Fee: R10
Look forward to:
- Diverse artefacts illustrating everyday life in Simon’s Town before the forced removals
- Exhibit on pets in the military
The District Six Museum
Location: Cape Town City Centre
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm
Admission Fee: R45
Look forward to:
- Beautiful, ecletic design
- Personal narratives of forced removals
Loading ...