Discover Simon’s Town

Simon’s Town invites you to think about a trip through a range of very different interests: wildlife watching, cultural history and a historic walk form three distinct focal points. This variety makes the town especially interesting if you want to discover more than a single attraction. To help plan your days, first consider whether wildlife, history or a walking tour should take centre stage.

Penguins and the Boulders section

The Boulders Penguin Colony in Simon’s Town is home to a land-based colony of African penguins. The Boulders section of Table Mountain National Park includes three beaches, a penguin viewing area and three boardwalks. For planning your trip, these are two useful aspects: the colony highlights the wildlife, while the description of the park section also lists its beaches and boardwalks. If you are particularly interested in penguins, you can make this part of your trip a priority. This brings the focus on wildlife watching together with the specific features of the Boulders section.

Cultural history at the Simon’s Town Museum

The Simon’s Town Museum collects and presents the cultural history of the people of Simon’s Town. Its topics include their connections to the Dutch East India Company and the Royal Navy, as well as forced removals. Its scope therefore covers both institutions associated with the town’s history and forced removals. If you are interested in cultural history when travelling, the museum offers a clear thematic focus. The contrast with the penguin colony is distinct: here, the focus is on the history of the people and their historical connections, not wildlife watching. This can help you decide whether to shape your trip more around nature experiences, historical topics or both.

The Simon’s Town Historic Mile Walk

The Simon’s Town Historic Mile Walk usually starts at Simon’s Town railway station and ends at the gates of East Dockyard. The walk therefore has a named starting point and destination. Confirm its current availability before setting out. Compared with the museum, the walk is a route with a start and end, while the museum collects and presents cultural history. This can help you decide what kind of historical focus you prefer: a walking tour or the subjects covered by a museum. If you are interested in both, you can plan them as distinct travel experiences.

Which experiences should shape your trip?

When searching for holiday accommodation in Simon’s Town, these themes can help you picture your stay. First consider whether penguin watching, cultural history or the Historic Mile Walk appeals to you most. This means your planning starts with the character of your trip, rather than an arbitrary list of places to stay. If several themes matter to you, note them as separate interests: penguins, the museum and the walk offer different ways to discover Simon’s Town. Your priorities will determine which experiences you put centre stage. If you are travelling with others, it can help to discuss your interests beforehand and decide together which are most important. You can then look for holiday accommodation in Simon’s Town to suit your travel plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Strand, Blouberg, Matroosfontein, Blackheath, Hout Bay, Kommetjie, Durbanville, Southern Suburbs.

For the main travel overview: Cape Town.