Groenpunt, Kaapstad, Wes-Kaap

Soho of Cape Town

Green Point is a very “chic” neighbourhood of Cape Town. Called the Soho of Cape Town, it lies wedged between the city centre, Sea Point, Signal Hill, Table Bay, and the V&A Waterfront, right in the middle of all the action!

However, there is more to Green Point than just being the heartbeat of the Mother City, this spot is cool, contemporary, convenient and is home to both the old and new of Cape Town with modern Hotels standing side by side with historical homes, all flanked by the beautiful, yet chilly, Atlantic Ocean.

The Green Point beachfront extends all along the coastline to the Sea Point promenade and is popular with cyclists and joggers, but what Green Point is most famous for is being the home of the V&A Waterfront with more than 450 shops and over 80 restaurants, this is certainly the most significant mall in the Province.

Stretching from the V&A Waterfront to Hout Bay is the Atlantic Seaboard and what is also known as the “Riviera of Cape Town” – these beaches along this stretch are where the fashionable go to see and be seen and are amongst some of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the world.

There is no shortage of holiday accommodation in and around Green Point - Hotels, holiday apartments, B & B’s and Guesthouses.

Things to do and see

• Cape Town (Green Point) Stadium
• Green Point Urban Park
• V & A Waterfront
• Signal Hill
• Lion’s Head
• Green Point Lighthouse
• Two Oceans Aquarium
• Cape Quarter Shopping & Village Market
• Cape Medical Museum
• Metropolitan Golf Course

Climate

Green Point receives approximately 853 mm of rain annually with most of its annual rainfall during winter.

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 14˚C and 27˚C.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 8˚C and 20˚C.

Transport

There are daily flights into the Cape Town International Airport, approximately 21 km’s away via the N2. Car hire facilities are available at the Airport.

History

The area about Green Point was first used for cattle grazing by the Dutch settlers. After the British annexed the Cape in 1806, the area developed as one of Cape Town’s most popuar social centres where horse races were held with every vehicle description known at the time – from Dutch Paardewagon to the English London-built Carriage.

Construction on the Lighthouse began in 1820 and during the South African War of 1899-1902, Green Point common was used by the Military as an encampment for a large number of British troops as well as a camp for Boer POWs.