Muizenberg boasts one of the finest bathing and surfing beaches in the Cape, as well as a modern pavilion and many charming Victorian adn Edwardian villas.

The town is said to have been named after Wynand Willem Muijs, who commanded a small outpost here in 1743.

Muizenberg was once the site of one of the most famous halfway houses in Cape history, Farmer Peck's Inn, built in 1825, on the road linking Muizenberg and Simon's Town.  Surviving places of historical interest include the old Posthuys, once a Dutch East India Company look-out post, the Edwardian red brick railway station and the South African Police Museum.

With a history dating back to the late 1600’s Muizenberg is famous for it’s excellent bathing and surfing beaches, rated amongst the Cape’s best. The beachfront boasts a modern pavilion, esplanade and amusement park. Zeekoevlei and Sandvlei offer water sport opportunities, while the bird sanctuary at Rondevlei contains a variety of birds, including Cape Waterfowl, and facilities for watching the hippopotamus population.

HISTORICAL VIEW

All Saints Anglican Church

Modest T-shaped stone church with a belfry-gable, dating from 1890.

Muizenberg Synagogue

This architecturally historical Synagogue was built on the site of the original wood and iron building.

Muizenberg Toy Museum and Collectors Shop

Toys reflecting the craftsmanship of many of the famous turn-of-the-century toy factories is displayed amongst this unique collection of early steam trains, pedal cars, rocking horses, dolls, clockwork figures, dinky toys etc. The collection is housed at 8 Beach Road, a historical Herbert Baker mansion. Also on the site is a collectors shop, specializing in both current and rare, obsolete toys and models.

South African Police Service Museum

The first police museum in the Western Cape, opened on 21 June 1990. The complex consists of two buildings, i.e. the old police station (used as library in earlier years) as well as the courthouse (previously utilized as a post office).

Het Post Huijs

Built during the late 18^th century as a custom house for the Dutch East India Company, this stone building is considered the oldest structure along the False Bay coast. Houses displays depicting the Battle of Muizenberg (1795).

Natale Labia Museum

Erected in 1930 on the site of an old British military fort the museum today is a satellite of the South African National Gallery and houses a permanent display of furniture and superb works of art. It also is a regular venue for exhibitions, lectures and music recitals. Café Labia offers teas and light lunches.

Rust en Vrede

Designed by Sir Herbert Baker for Cecil John Rhodes and built by Abe Bailey, the mansion is regarded as one of Baker’s finest works. (Private Residence).

Rhodes Cottage

The holiday cottage of Cecil John Rhodes – empire builder and Prime Minister of the Cape Colony (1890-1896) – he died here on 26 March 1902. The cottage contains personal memorabilia, period furniture and a diorama of his burial place in the Matobo Hills near Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.

NATURE

Rondevlei Bird Reserve

View a variety of Cape birds. This is one of the Peninsula’s most important waterfowl wetlands. Of the 222 bird species recorded, 70 are known to breed here. There are observation hides with telescopes – giving visitors a chance to glimpse the small family of hippopotami that live in the reserve.

Leopard Gill Fields Museum

A natural history museum. Short trails. Hides for observing the hippo. Open daily from 08:00 to 17:00.

Silvermine Nature Reserve

Covering 2100 ha, the reserve offers some of the Cape’s finest scenery. The area consists of mountain peaks, lush valleys and vast plateaux – covered in fynbos with patches of evergreen forest. The reserve offers sanctuary to a variety of small mammal, reptile and bird species. A number of walking trails meander through the reserve. Open from sunrise to sunset.

Southern Blackbacked Gull Sanctuary

Situated east of Muizenberg along the R310, the sanctuary is located on top of the Swartklip cliffs and is one of the last remaining breeding colonies for the blackbacked gull or kelp gull (Larus dominicanus). Breeding occurs during the summer months and the birds can easily be observed from the road.

Zandvlei Bird Sanctuary

Proclaimed in 1987, entrance to the sanctuary is restricted to members of the Cape Bird Club and members of the public accompanied by the ranger. The vlei is regarded as an species identified so far.

Zandvlei

A large expanse of water formed by the many streams originating in the Constantia and Tokai Mountains. Zandvlei offers excellent boardsailing, yachting and canoeing.

ATTRACTIONS

Beaches

Muizenberg is famous for it’s excellent bathing and surfing, ideally for novice surfers. The beachfront boasts a modern pavilion, esplanade and amusement park. There is a sandy beach, which provide safe swimming for bathers.

Masque Theatre

An intimate theatre staging at least twelve productions annually.

Joan St Leger Lindbergh Arts Foundation

A unique cultural foundation staging regular art exhibitions and musical performances. It houses an Africana reference library and Internet computer room, as well as a display of early Muizenberg photographs.

Sunrise Circle Fleamarket

This fleamarket offers a wide range of bric a brac, clothing, gifts and household goods, attracting huge crowds. Hosted every Sunday.

ACTIVITIES

Canoeing

The boardsail Inn, situated on Zandvlei for canoe hiring

Zekoeivlei and Sandvlei

Offer water sport opportunities

Walks Muizenberg – St James Walkway

An invigorating, scenic walk along the coast.

Yachting

The imperial Yacht Club is located on the western bank of Zandvlei and is the oldest yacht club in South Africa.

Sport

Bowls

The municipal greens are adjacent to Zandvlei and open all year round. Visitors welcome.

Golf

The closest courses to Muizenberg are Westlake Golf Course off Boyes Drive in Lakeside and Steenberg Golf Course.

Putt-Putt

Muizenberg Pavillion

Swimming

The swimming pool at the Pavillion is open daily

Accommodation in and around Franschoek