Places of worship
St. George's Anglican Cathedral. Photo courtesy Ian Junor aka ifijay
South Africa endorses freedom of religion in its constitution, so mainstream religions are well represented by places of worship throughout the country and Cape Town is no exception.
Whether you’re a Christian who prefers to attend a service within the stunning architectural edifice that is St George’s Cathedral, or a Zionist who chooses to worship under a spreading African acacia tree, most religions are catered for in the Mother City.
We have included some of the main places of worship on the list below. There are a number of local venues across the city. Please call Cape Town Tourism on +27 (0)21 487 6800 or email info@capetown.travel to find out more information.
Traditional churches
The vast majority of South Africans belong to African Independent Churches, which combine traditional ancestral beliefs with Christianity. The Zion Christian Church is the largest of these. Over weekends groups of African Independent Church worshippers in green, blue or white robes, hold prayer meetings out in the open at riversides or in fields.
Catholic
The Catholic Cathedral is opposite Parliament, on the corner of Roeland, St John’s and Plein streets.
Anglican
St George’s Anglican Cathedral is famous for its former presiding bishop, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. A 1905 Herbert Baker Gothic building, it is located on Wale Street opposite St George’s Mall at the entrance to Government Avenue. Call +27 (0)21 424 7360.
Dutch Reformed
The Groote Kerk holds services in Afrikaans, but even if you don’t follow the service, the organ music is superb. Find it on the junction of Adderley, Spin and Bureau streets, opposite the Slave Lodge.
Methodist
The Central Methodist Mission on the corner of Longmarket and Burg streets, Greenmarket Square, is a typical inner-city church with members from all racial and economic backgrounds.
Calvinist
St James Church, 114 Third Avenue, Kenilworth.
Baptist
Meadowridge Baptist Church is easily accessible from the M3 highway by taking the Ladies’ Mile off-ramp.
Charismatic
Vineyard Church, 16 Salisbury Road, Kenilworth, Cape Town.
Pentecostal
His People, Cape Town, is a city-wide church with six congregations: Baxter, City Bowl, Kuilsriver, N1 City, Tokai and West Coast.
Township church
St Peters, Harare, Khayelitsha.
Mosques
The Bo-Kaap sector of Cape Town features a number of mosques, the largest of which is the Gatesville Mosque, about 15 minutes from the city centre: Masjid-ul-quds (+27 (0) 21 638 1121). If you walk from the corner of Wale and Chiappini in the Bo-Kaap, you will come across a number of mosques within a few minutes.
Synagogues
Close to the National Art Gallery in Cape Town’s Company’s Garden, worshippers will find the Great Synagogue. Temple Israel services the large Green Point and Sea Point Hebrew congregation. Find it in Marais Road, Sea Point.
Temples
Tushita Kadampa Buddhist Centre can be found at 21 Loch Rd, Rondebosch.
The Gurudwara Sahib Cape Town was inaugurated recently to cater for the growing local Sikh and Punjabi communities. Visit this temple in the Radha Krishna Temple Complex, Jeram Road, Rylands Estate.
There is a Sufi Temple at 183 Campground Road in Newlands.
- Phone: +27 (0)21 487 6800
- Email: info at capetown dot travel
Walking in Cape Town
Many visitors want to explore nature on higher ground as soon as they arrive in Cape Town and with Lion’s Head and Table Mountain beckoning, many do get to experience the local flora and fauna on foot. However, the entire peninsula can be enjoyed by avid walkers. From Blouberg Beach, with its picture perfect views from its sandy shores, to the more adventurous guided Hoerikwaggo Trails along the spine of Table Mountain, visitors have an expanse of ground to cover.
Castle Military Museum
The Castle Military Museum is housed in the oldest building in South Africa, the Castle of Good Hope, which was declared a national monument in 1936.
The Castle Military Museum is a tribute to the brave regiments of the past, providing an insight into the political history of the country and celebrating the rich military history of the Cape. Then Minister of Defence Joe Modise officially opened the Castle Military Museum on August 1, 1995.
South African Rugby Museum
Cape Town sport enthusiasts are lucky enough to live in the city that is home to the South African Rugby Museum. Located just a drop kick away from the Newlands Rugby Stadium in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, home of the Stormers, the South African Rugby Museum is a full of tokens, collector’s items, memorabilia and history of one of the country’s most watched sports.
Historic buildings and architecture in Cape Town
As the oldest city in South Africa, Cape Town boasts a number of historical buildings, many of which are still in use today and open to visitors. The city’s architecture is a testament to the many varying influences in South Africa’s unique history.
Art galleries in Cape Town
More than 100 art galleries – as diverse as the colours daubed on an artist’s palette – await discovery in and around Cape Town.
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