City: Western Cape
Top Things to do in Western Cape
10 Specialty Museums in Western Cape That You Shouldn't Miss
South Africa’s most popular tourist destination offers the urban thrills of Cape Town, its adjacent wine country and an aura of the rich political history of South Africa. The Overberg's perfect whale-watching perches provide excitement of a different nature. The Garden Route's lakes and forests and the Klein Karoo's ostrich-farming towns and vineyards present another take on the Cape. For extra kicks, try bungee jumping or cage-diving among Great Whites.
Restaurants in Western Cape
1. The Blombos Museum of Archeology
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
2. First South African Perfume Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 251 reviews
We invite you to visit us in Franschhoek in the heart of Cape Town- one of the most beautiful. diverse, and exciting city in the world,. At the first South African Perfume Museum you can explore an extensive and comprehensive permanent collection that includes antique masterpieces., You'll also experience engaging, cutting-edge exhibition and workshops that reflect a fresh view of the amazing world of perfume. The mission of the our Museum is to act as a bridge between the rich heritage of world of perfume, as embodied in its collection, and the unique experience of each visitor. Dedicated to the primacy of the visitor experience, committed to excellence in every aspect of its collection and workshops, and drawing on both new and traditional tools of communication, interpretation, and presentation, the Museum aims to serve its diverse public as a dynamic, innovative, and welcoming place for learning through the amazing art of perfume.
Reviewed By virginiaswart - Western Cape, South Africa
Who would think there would be a museum for perfumes?! definitely an experience for anyone who loves scents and would like to create your own one.
3. Janine Iron and Washing Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
The museum consists of more then 640 laundry irons, mostly rare and some only existing examples left. Also more then 50 rare washing machines and mangles dated back from the 1800, some are claimed to be of the only remaining in the world. The museum are packed with other rare antique laundry related items. Some non-laundry related items are also included.
Reviewed By 46sharonu - Centurion, South Africa
Make sure you see the video prior to browsing through this wonderful museum. Spent a good hour and a half here and we were amazed at the thoughtfullness that has gone into putting this collection together. Both my hubby and my kids (teenagers) found this to be a hidden gem! If you're in the area you should give it a try, you wont be disappointed!
4. 18 Gangster Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 52 reviews
18 Gangster Museum provide fully guided tour through the museum.You got an opportunity to spend time with ex-prisoners on the replica prison cell.You got to understand the history of South Africa gangs and township lifestyle at large.Pop In !!
Reviewed By msmonacr
To be recommended - Great fun, an informative cultural learning experience in Cape Town. Both Wandisile and Siya took our party of 4 on the tour, we booked rather late the day before. Wandisile introducing us to entrepreneurs and everyday life whilst providing an in-depth background to Khayelitsha culture and history. We enjoyed great conversation at Sikis coffee bar and Ali’s the fashion designer’s store amongst other stops on route to 18 Gangster Museum. Here attendees bravely share experiences to guide future generations. Our tour ended with music and delicious vegan meal at Randz.
5. District Six Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,088 reviews
The apartheid nationalist government destroyed District Six in the 1960s. This memorial museum contains maps, photographs and other reminders of this old vibrant neighborhood. Site walks and tours in the Museum with ex-resident storytellers are also offered.
Reviewed By sheldonp730 - Cape Town, South Africa
I am a tour guide in Cape Town for City Walking Tours so always bring guests past District Six Museum as it's a real part of Cape Towns history... I recently visited the museum to get a refresh on the info and the real story of District Six and its affects in our beautiful city of Cape Town went on a guided tour with Mr Brown and I always recommend all my guests to Mr Brown as this gentleman is a living example of the people of District 6 and the one thing I really liked and stood out for me the most was Mr Brown was passionate about the way he presented the museum and he spoke strongly about respect that the area had for one another amazing and I personally recommend the guided tours with anybody at the District Six museum and if you get Mr Brown you are in very good hands
6. Great Synagogue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By TrishYorkUK
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the synagogue which was sadly all too brief due to the time of day we arrived here. One of the members of the congregation gave us an interesting talk on the history of Judaism in South Africa and pointed out the main features of the synagogue. It is an orthodox synagogue , easy to identify as such as there is a balcony for the ladies to look down on the men as one of my Jewish friends once pointed out to me! What makes this synagogue so interesting to me is that it has 2 Bimahs rather than just one as and the splendour of the ( unusual) stained glass windows Please be prepared for the intense security measures required ( including passport check) before obtaining entry and of course every male over the age of 12 must cover their head ( kippas are supplied).
7. South African Jewish Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 677 reviews
The museum narrates the story of South African Jewry from its early beginnings, set against the backdrop of South African history over a period of more than 150 years. We cover a number of areas of interest, including South African history, mining, commerce, Eastern European history, contemporary South African politics as well as an overview of the Jewish community’s contribution in all its aspects of South African history and conscience. An exclusive documentary film – "Nelson Mandela. A Righteous Man", is screened throughout the day, a documentary, which has won wide acclaim at the Brighton, Vancouver and Toronto Film Festivals.
Reviewed By BobsExperience - Johannesburg, South Africa
This Holocaust Centre is a place of remembrance for the Six Million Jews who were mercilessly murdered by the Nazi Regime. The Text and Photo panels recreate the horrors of the events that took place only a few decades ago. The film depicting the Testimonies of 5 people who survived and began a new life in Cape Town, was very moving. This exhibition is certain to touch the hearts of all the visitors. Let the World never forget!
8. Outeniqua Transport Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 461 reviews
The Transnet Transport Museum has a unique display featuring the history of Transnet. Enter the world of South African Railway history and admire some of the Iron Ladies that once ruled the railway lines of South Africa. From the small prestigious Emil Kessler(National Monument) to some of the more modern bigger veterans that concurred the scenic Outeniqua railway pass. An excellent selection of privately owned vintage cars are on display and other exhibitions of interst are silverware, cutlery and crockery from various periods of the transport industry, locomotives number plates, makers plates, fire engines, road transport vehicles, furniture and many other rail related items. Open weekdays from 08:00 AM to 4;30 PM . Saturdays and Public Holidays from 08:00 to 14:00. Closed on Sundays and 25 December. ENJOY A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.
Reviewed By lopesfamily_1 - Johannesburg, South Africa
The power van is such a hidden gem!! A 2 and a half hour trip up and through the Outenique mountain pass, 6 tunnels and unparalleled panoramic views of gorges and valleys and the mountains. Breathtaking fauna and flora - with waterfalls when it rains! The 2 guides have exceptional local knowledge! Tip - take a jacket - weather must be clear and sunny and pack a picnic basket! The museum itself is awesome for kids - plenty old locomotives and vintage cars - an enriching peak into the past!!
9. Franschhoek Motor Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,606 reviews
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. LIMITED TIME SLOTS. The Franschhoek Motor Museum offers visitors a special opportunity to look back at more than 100 years of motoring history with its unique and exciting collection of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and memorabilia in the magnificent setting of L'Ormarins. Across the length and breadth of Southern Africa, only one place can adequately portray the evolution of the automobile, The Franschhoek Motor Museum.
Reviewed By 459niccih - Johannesburg, South Africa
We are a family of five - three teens who have very different interests and we all really enjoyed the motor museum with the cherry on top - the president-booked drive around in two of the vintage cars.
10. Rupert Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By Gavin673 - Cape Town, South Africa
A visit to the Rupert Museum is a must for any art lover. An amazing collection by South African artists is on view in a modern spacious building in a glorious setting in Stellenbosch. The Pierneef exhibition was fascinating and well worth seeing.
