Introduction to Cape Town Tour: Dutch Trading to Democracy

On this 3-hour Cape Town City tour we'll join a local historian or expert to trace the history of Cape Town from its opening moments to its current standing as a major African destination. We’ll discuss the city’s indigenous history by talking about the Khoisan, we’ll delve into the impact of the Dutch arriving in 1652 and the more turbulent years of slavery in the Cape. We’ll touch on notable characters linked to Cape Town’s history, from Jan van Riebeeck to Cecil Rhodes to Desmond Tutu and, of course, Nelson Mandela. Our route will take us through the succinct centre of Cape Town as we soak up various sites important to the city’s colorful past, all with their own stories behind the growth of this captivating city. This is a great tour for first-time visitors who want to get their bearings in the city and learn more about its alluring history.

Our Cape Town City Tour starts at the Castle of Good Hope, built in the mid 1600’s by the Dutch East India Company, which established a refreshment station at the Cape to supply their fleet of merchant ships with fresh fruit and vegetables. We will consider relevant events of the 17th and 18th centuries and discuss colonial life at the Cape all from the fantastic setting of the Castle. From here, our route may take a number of different directions. We may walk in the direction of the Grand Parade and City Hall, where our expert will discuss notable events that occurred in both locations, such as Nelson Mandela’s address after his release in 1990. Our route on this Cape Town City Tour passes the Houses of Parliament, where we will examine the South African Constitution and how the various arms of our government function. We will discuss the influence of individuals such as Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, as we pass spaces which tie into significant moments in their lives. 

Another important, yet often overlooked aspect of Cape Town’s past is that of slavery. The establishment of the refreshment station at the Cape by the VOC (Dutch East India Company) went hand-in-hand with forced labor. We will discuss this as we explain the slave precinct, Iziko Slave Lodge (from outside) and what was once the auction site to sell slaves, which we can stand on today. Our expert might unpack the influence of this tormented history and the significant contribution to South Africa’s cultural diversity that it has brought. As we continue we might peep into the former Dutch reformed church, Groote Kerk and open the discussion on religion in the past and today in South Africa.

[For more on the discussion of slavery, venture out to Simon’s Town to delve into the subject on our Simon’s Town Tour].

The latter part of our walk will continue to take us through the town center as we discuss why there is a piece of the Berlin Wall in Cape Town which was gifted to the city in 1996. We might get a feel for the eclectic, history drenched atmosphere of this cosmopolitan city from Greenmarket Square as we talk about its roots from everyday market to today’s African arts hub. We’ll move to St. George’s Cathedral and admire the stained glass within as we spend some time discussing the role of the celebrated bishop Desmond Tutu. We’ll take in the newly designed wooden ‘Arch for Arch’ tribute to the legacy and work of Tutu as we discuss the fourteen chapters of the Constitution. From here, we may well walk through Company Gardens, passing statues of figures prevalent to the history of Cape Town and South Africa, such as the contentious character, Cecil Rhodes. We’ll take a moment to reflect on the various war memorials and the history of Cape Town from its indigenous days to today from the stunning setting of Company Gardens.

By the end of our Cape Town Day Tour, we'll come away with an enhanced understanding of Cape Town’s history from life as a Khoisan to the early settlers or slaves to finding its feet as the modern democracy we see today. We will also have navigated our way around the historical heart and its surroundings and feel better prepared to explore this charming city for our following days wandering alone.

The tour begins at the Castle of Good Hope and will end in the city. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.

Our tours operate rain or shine. We recommend bringing both an umbrella and sunscreen.