About
The Castle of Good Hope stands on Castle Street in central Cape Town, South Africa, a short walk from the city's busy heart. It is the oldest colonial building in the country and is known in Afrikaans as Kasteel de Goede Hoop.
What you will see
The fortress has a star-shaped plan, built by the Dutch East India Company and completed in 1666. Its thick walls and bastions make it a clear example of the defensive architecture of its era. Today the castle is a military museum, so its rooms and grounds are arranged around the history of the armed forces and the men who served here.
What kind of visit it makes
- A close look at a building that has stood for more than three and a half centuries in one place.
- A museum visit suited to anyone interested in military history or colonial-era architecture.
- A stop that pairs well with time spent exploring the rest of the city centre on foot.
Because the castle sits in the middle of the city, it is easy to combine with other outings. Its position gives visitors a sense of how the historic core of Cape Town grew up around the fort.
Getting there and contact
The castle is at Castle Street, Cape Town, 8001. For questions before you travel, you can call +27 21 787 1249.