Cape Town on Foot: St. George’s Cathedral to Greenmarket Square
About the Tour
On this tour you'll walk along St George’s Mall, once known as Venus Street, to Greenmarket Square. A long time ago, seafarers would have wandered here in search of a tavern or boarding house. Wealthy burghers, whose elegant homes lined the street, would have sent their slaves off to Greenmarket Square to restock the larder, and a dentist would have fitted you with a set of wooden teeth... Or you could have engaged in a friendly chat with Baroness von Ludwig in her tobacco shop.
Bishop Robert Gray may not have approved of smoking and imbibing, but he too ambled down St. George’s Mall. And much later, so did Cecil John Rhodes. More recently you might have had the fortune to shake hands with Nelson Mandela, as he wound his way from the Mandela Rhodes Building to St. George’s Cathedral.
Ah yes, and today? You'll be able to mingle with the crowds, browse the souvenir and food stalls, cafes and restaurants, and admire some of the remarkable architecture of the boisterous Greenmarket Square. Here you can join in with the holiday mood, tap your feet, or even dance a little to the spirited tunes of cheerful singers and drummers.
Tour Producer
Ursula Stevens
Hi, I am Ursula, your guide.
I grew up in Hamelin, the Pied Piper’s town, and, like a Pied Piper, I will lead you along the streets of Cape Town, and soon along the enthralling Route 62 discovering the wonders of Little Karoo.
The Wanderlust bug bit me early, running off to Africa as a little child, but alas, my venture was foiled, so I completed my schooling in Germany.
After matriculation I travelled, first to Namibia, my mother’s home, then to Victoria Falls where I found the proverbial gold at the end of the ‘rainbow’, my future husband.
We settled in Cape Town, and I embarked on a BA Degree, majoring in history and languages, and obtaining a Teacher’s Diploma.
After 12 years of teaching , the travel bug returned, I established ‘Wanderlust’, guiding groups across the mountains of the Western Cape and along the Namibian Fish River Canyon trail.
Eventually I hung up my hiking boots and, as a certified tourist guide, worked for various companies, before managing my “Cape Town on Foot Walking Tours” for twenty years.
Inspired by my experiences I authored guidebooks about the Western Cape, the first being ”Cape Town on Foot”, and created audio walking tours.
Presently I live in the coastal town of Knysna enjoying a somewhat slower pace and hoping my tours will tempt you to explore further.
Thank you for listening and keep travelling!
Preview Location
Location 3
St. George's Mall
This is St. George’s Mall. Buskers, coffee bars, food and souvenir stalls brighten it up throughout the year. On Thursdays, a fresh produce market between Wale and Church Streets attracts office workers a... Read More
How VoiceMap Works
Major Landmarks
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Cape Town's St Georges Cathedral
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The Mandela Rhodes Foundation
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Iziko Old Town House Museum
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Central Methodist Mission
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St George's Cathedral
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Saint Georges Mall
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Mandela Rhodes Building
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Segment of the Berlin Wall
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Newspaper House
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Castle Street
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Burg Street
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Greenmarket Square
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Iziko Old Town House Museum
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Central Methodist Mission
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Old Shell House Greenmarket Square
Getting There
Route Overview
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Total distance1km -
Distance back to start location207.59m
Directions to Starting Point
The tour starts in front of the Crypt at St. George's Cathedral. From the train or MyCiti bus station, walk up Adderley Street, past the Slave Lodge and then into Wale Street to St. George's Cathedral. Parking is possible in the Mandela Rhodes Building (entrance in Burg Street), or in Queen Victoria Street.
Tips
Places to stop along the way
St. George's Cathedral, FNB Bank, Newspaper House. You'll also find a multitude of cafes and restaurants in St. George's Mall and Greenmarket Square.
Best time of day
Best time to walk the route is between 9am and 4pm, Mondays to Fridays, and 9am to noon on Saturdays. On Sundays the streets are fairly deserted and lack atmosphere and security.
Precautions
Be aware of beggars and street children. Do not carry valuables in the back pockets of your rucksacks, and avoid wearing jewellery or keeping your phones in shirt or blouse pockets – quick and nimble fingers might extract them.
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