The Open Top Red Tour Bus (or the ‘Hop On and Hop Off’, as it is often referred to) is by far the easiest and most convenient way to discover the thriving metropolis of Cape Town. Hop on or hop off wherever the mood takes you, then take the next bus to continue your trip.

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The company has an upgraded fleet of new buses that operate seven days a week, 365 days of the year, regardless of the weather. There are over 30 stops at regular intervals, making it possible for you to explore any of the over 50 different attractions that make this city so exceptional. Choose whether you want to do a tour of the historic city centre, a Sunset Tour or a visit to the Constantia Winelands, pop in at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or explore Hout Bay – or do it all!

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Some tickets allow you to spread this journey of discovery over two or three consecutive days. There can even be walking tours or a harbour cruise thrown in, depending on the option you choose. Live guided tours to the Winelands and Cape Point are also available.

Enjoy a five-star sailing experience aboard South Africa’s newest, largest and safest private yacht. Indulge mind, body and soul in an exhilarating sailing experience on The Mirage, a spectacular craft that offers five-star service and gourmet dining as you sail across the ocean around the Cape, seeing the full splendour of the Mother City from offshore, whether during the day or at sunset. 

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No matter what your event – birthday, anniversary, engagement, bachelorette and more – the Mirage team will help make it a magnificent one, with a private sailing experience on board South Africa’s newest, largest and safest catamaran, with the majestic Cape Town skyline as your backdrop. Impress your guests with the finest in gourmet food and drink pairings from our fully-functioning galley, bars and outdoor grills. Spoil them with a lavishly spacious deck and flybridge, and entertain them with a DJ or live music. Whatever your occasion, your guest list or your budget, our professional event coordinators are uniquely equipped to cater to your every need, down to the finest detail.

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The Mirage also offers one-hour daily trips out to Sea Point or Granger Bay, weather dependent. There’s a full-service cash or card bar, as well as some light snacks to purchase onboard. Departure times are 13:00 and 15:00.

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Cape Town is definitely the best location to watch the sun go down from the water, and The Mirage is the ideal place to do it from. With its meticulously designed, spacious layout and highly trained, responsive crew to attend to your every need, you’ll be able to stretch out and enjoy your sailing experience in complete peace of mind. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous or simply want to enjoy the crisp sea air, the flybridge beckons – a perfect vantage point from which to take in unparalleled views of the mountains above and the dolphins below. And if you’re thirsty for more extravagance, simply make your way to the full-service bar stocked with bottled beverages, fine wines and gourmet coffee. Departure time: 17:30 (subject to change; please confirm with us on 071 206 7319).

It’s that time of year, where December has caught up to us before we could even put pen to paper to list which gifts to buy whom! Luckily, the V&A Waterfront is here to help you out. In Cape Town’s most inspiring neighbourhood, you can find thousands of thoughtful, high-quality gifts across fashion, beauty, tech, kids’ gear, homeware, eyewear and many other speciality stores. We’ve created a festive gift guide to support your shopping spree, according to useful categories. Plus, we’ve made shopping easy for different budgets so that you don’t end up spending more than you need to – especially when leaving your Christmas shopping to the final days.

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Whether you’re looking for gifts under R300 or want to spend on premium presents, Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre is Cape Town’s one-stop shopping destination for the most original gift ideas.

Gift ideas for fashion lovers

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Buy a gift for the fashionista who loves looking good. These are some of the V&A clothing stores to shop at.

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Fashion under R300

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• H&M – shop for striped drawstring trousers for her; a loose-fit printed T-shirt for him; or a patterned cotton sun hat for kids.

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Fashion under R500

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• Zara – find a knitted halter-neck top for her; a cotton cap for him; or graffiti-print bermuda shorts for kids.
• Forever New – gift a lightweight floral scarf or a boat-neck tank top made from recycled materials.

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Fashion under R1,000

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• Fabiani – shop for men’s swim shorts, 100% cotton golf shirts, a silk tie or reversible leather belt.
• Poetry – buy a cotton pyjama sleep set, cotton kaftan or one-piece swimming costume under R1000.

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Boutique fashion

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• Psycho Bunny – explore classic craftsmanship in menswear and boys’ clothing that ranges from an exclusive collection of shirts and swimwear to slides, wallets, hoodies and more.

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Gifting beauty products and fragrances

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Shop for a present that smells good and is the perfect gift for someone who loves beauty products – all from the Waterfront.

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Beauty products under R300

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• Lush – shop for a scented gift set that includes a bath bomb and mini bubble bar, or buy a shaving cream of calming oat milk and lavender. 

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Beauty products under R500

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• Rain – gift your loved one a botanical cleansing gel, hydrating after-shave spritz or Moroccan Rose Himalayan body scrub.
• The Body Shop – find a relaxing pocket-size mind-and-body gift set that includes the Breathe essential oil and Breathe calm balm. 

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Beauty products under R1,000

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• L’Occitane – buy the Nuit Festive eau de toilette with sweet vanilla notes, the almond supple-skin oil or iconic Imortelle Precious Enriched Emulsion to lock in skin moisture.

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Premium beauty products

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• Skins – inside the Skins Holiday Box 2025 you’ll find a luxurious edit of 13 top body products, home fragrances and perfume from the most coveted beauty brands in the world –packaged in a festive gift box.

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Luxury gifts and jewellery

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Find gifts that will last a lifetime by shopping at these fine jewellery stores at the V&A Waterfront.

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Jewellery under R500
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• American Swiss – buy the woman in your life a set of sterling silver freshwater pearl earrings, a gold-plated charm necklace or stainless steel ring with cubic zirconia.

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Sparking gifts under R1,000

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• Swarovski – the Sommerset hoop earrings will make her day, while the Crystalline ballpoint pen is a must for him.

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Luxury jewellery
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• Browns – the signature Chorus 1.2-carat diamond bangle in 18K white and yellow gold is a symbol of harmony in love

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Gift Eyewear for Christmas

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These sunglasses stores at the V&A are where you’ll find top gift ideas for those who love sun protection – and premium-quality eyewear.

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Eyewear under R1,500

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• Sunglass Hut – grab a pair of Arnette, Vogue or Oakley sunglasses for the ultimate summer style.

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Exclusive Eyewear

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• Scene – The Eyewear Collective – at this Cape Town pop-up in Victoria Wharf you’ll find the latest sunglass collections by Jacques Marie Mage.
• Atelier de Lunettes – this new sunglasses store at the V&A Waterfront offers world-renowned brands including Dior, Fendi, Celine, Loewe, Givenchy, Stella McCartney, Kenzo, Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Fred, Barton Perreira and Vuarnet.

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Christmas Presents for Children

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Shop for the coolest gifts for kids all around the Waterfront. Here are three Cape Town stores to get you started.

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Kids’ gifts under R500

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• Cotton On Kids – buy a rash vest and swim shorts, hooded towel or sandals for children.

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Kids’ gifts under R1,000

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• Game 4 U – shop for PlayStation games or charging stations, gaming headphones, an XBox case for console and accessories, or a portable bluetooth speaker.

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One-of-a-kind gifts for kids
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• Toy Kingdom – spoil your children with a gigantic LEGO set that matches their passion – from Fortnite or Harry Potter to Jurassic World or Star Wars. 

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Gifting Tech and Gadgets

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Buy a gift for the tech guru who never has enough gadgets. The V&A Waterfront has all the stores for technology, games and electronics.

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Tech gifts under R300

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• Cell C, MTN and Vodacom – buy airtime or data for the person who always runs out, so that they can connect with loved ones throughout the holidays.

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Tech gifts under R1,000

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• Incredible Connection – buy a backpack to fit a laptop and tablet, or a gaming keyboard or cellphone case.

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Top-of-the-range tech gift

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• iStore – shop for the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max in silver, deep blue or cosmic orange. Add Apple air pods, a privacy glass screen and power bank for the ultimate tech gift.

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‍Lifestyle Presents for the Home

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At the Waterfront, you’ll find unique gifts for the home, suitable to any budget.

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Gifts for the home under R300

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• Typo – find USB lights in letters of the alphabet, a perpetual calendar housed in a polyresin pomegranate, quirky trinket trays or themed cushions.

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Gifts for the home under R500

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• Le Creuset – buy a stoneware mug to add to your loved one’s collection, a set of three trivets for their hot pans, or a silicone spatula spoon for bakers.

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Gifts for the home under R1,000

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• Yuppiechef – go shopping for braai tongs by Joseph Joseph – stainless steel with extending hands; a Ngwenya Glass decanter; or a Victorinox chef’s knife.

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Luxury homeware

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• ‍‍Carrol Boyes – shop for the iconic bread bin crafted from stainless steel and wood, or choose a classic salad bowl made from aluminium, and held up by a sculptural ‘man’ in pewter.

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A summer season for shopping – and everything else too!

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If you are in a spin with last-minute Christmas shopping, Victoria Wharf has everything you need – and more – all in one convenient location. Plus, we’ve got Joy From Africa to the World handmade festive decorations to marvel at, and hundreds of delicious eateries where you can enjoy a moment of calm between gift shopping.