Updated in September 2026, this Nobel Square guide covers opening hours, entry, parking, transport, accessibility and what to see.
Nobel Square is a free, open-air public square at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa, honouring the country’s four Nobel Peace Prize laureates. As of September 2026, entry remains free and unrestricted, though the surrounding V&A Waterfront shops and restaurants keep their own separate trading hours. This guide’s opening hours and access details were checked against the V&A Waterfront’s official website in September 2026.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open 24 hours daily (outdoor public square) |
| Ticket prices | Free |
| Address | Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001 |
| Nearest transport/parking | MyCiTi bus to V&A Waterfront; Breakwater parking garage from R10 |
| Typical time needed | 15–30 minutes |
Nobel Square opening hours
Nobel Square is an outdoor public space with no set opening or closing time, so it can be visited at any hour.
The wider V&A Waterfront precinct, in which the square sits, keeps its own hours: shops generally trade from 9am to 9pm daily, and the information centre operates on the same schedule. Visiting the square itself does not depend on these hours.
Nobel Square ticket prices
There is no admission charge for Nobel Square, which is freely accessible to all visitors at any time.
The square is not part of a paid ticketing scheme, though several nearby Waterfront attractions, including the Two Oceans Aquarium and Zeitz MOCAA, are included in the Cape Town City Pass.
Opening hours and access details were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026.
Why book the Cape Town City Pass?
- 🚠 Table Mountain Cableway: Enjoy included access to Cape Town’s most famous landmark, providing breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, the Atlantic, and the Twelve Apostles.
- 🚌 Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: Navigate the city effortlessly with a City Sightseeing bus ticket, connecting you to major sites like Camps Bay, the V&A Waterfront, and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
- 🍷 Wine & Wildlife Experiences: Choose from a variety of unique activities, including wine tastings at Groot Constantia, sunset harbor cruises, or visits to the Two Oceans Aquarium.
- 💰 Huge Savings: Save significantly on total admission costs compared to purchasing individual tickets at the gate for each attraction.
- 📱 100% Digital & Easy: Manage your entire trip from your smartphone—simply show your pass at any of the 80+ participating attractions for instant, paperless entry.
How to get to Nobel Square
Nobel Square stands on Dock Road, in the Watershed and Breakwater precinct of the V&A Waterfront.
By public transport, take the MyCiTi bus (route A01 from the Civic Centre and Airport, or route 104 from Sea Point) to the V&A Waterfront stop. Metered taxis and e-hailing services also use designated drop-off zones around the Waterfront.
5 great Cape Town experiences to book
- ⛰️ Combine the region’s natural highlights on a Table Mountain, Boulders Penguins and Cape Point day tour.
- 🚌 Take the genuinely useful hop-on, hop-off city tour, with an optional harbour cruise.
- 🏛️ Go on a hassle-free Robben Island tour, with pre-booked tickets and transfers.
- 🦁 See the Big Five at the Aquila Game Reserve on a day trip including lunch.
- 🧗 Go ziplining at the foot of Table Mountain.
Parking at Nobel Square
The closest option is the Breakwater parking garage on Breakwater Boulevard, a short walk from the square.
Rates start at R10 for up to one hour, rising to R120 for a full day. The Clock Tower, Silo and Battery Park garages are also nearby and are free on weekends. All V&A Waterfront parking facilities are monitored 24 hours a day.
How long to spend at Nobel Square
Most visitors spend 15 to 30 minutes at Nobel Square, enough time to view the statues and read the accompanying inscriptions.
The square is often combined with a wider stroll around the Waterfront’s harbour, shops and the nearby Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island.
Accessibility at Nobel Square
Nobel Square is an open, paved outdoor space, step-free and accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs.
The wider V&A Waterfront precinct also provides accessible parking, restrooms and pathways throughout, as a modern harbour and retail development.
Inside Nobel Square
The square’s centrepiece is a set of four larger-than-life bronze statues, created by sculptor Claudette Schreuders, arranged in a semicircle with their backs to Table Mountain. They depict Albert Luthuli (Nobel Peace Prize, 1960), Desmond Tutu (1984), F.W. de Klerk (1993) and Nelson Mandela (1993).
In front of each figure, a chosen quotation is engraved into the granite, reflecting the values that guided their leadership.
Near the centre of the square stands the Peace and Democracy sculpture by Noria Mabasa, a bronze work honouring the contribution of women and children to South Africa’s transition to democracy.
The square itself covers 386 square metres of granite paving and opened on 16 December 2005, South Africa’s Day of Reconciliation.
A short walk away, the Nelson Mandela Gateway serves as the departure point for ferries to Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit in the early morning or late afternoon for softer light and fewer crowds at this popular photo spot. |
| Crowds | The square draws heavy foot traffic from Waterfront shoppers, so weekday mornings are quietest. |
| Layout | The statues stand in an open semicircle, easy to view from any angle in a few minutes. |
| Entry process | There is no ticket or gate, so visitors can walk straight in from Dock Road at any time. |
| On-site logistics | Combine the visit with the nearby Watershed market and Two Oceans Aquarium, both a short walk away. |
Frequently asked questions about Nobel Square
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Nobel Square suitable for children? | Yes. It is a free, open outdoor space with no age restrictions. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Nobel Square? | No. Entry is free and requires no booking. |
| Is Nobel Square open on Sundays? | Yes. As an outdoor public square, it is accessible every day, including Sundays. |
| Are bags allowed at Nobel Square? | Yes. As an open public square, there are no bag restrictions, though nearby indoor attractions may have their own rules. |
| Is Nobel Square wheelchair accessible? | Yes. It is a flat, paved outdoor space with step-free access. |
Things to do near Nobel Square
- Two Oceans Aquarium — a short walk away, showcasing marine life from the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
- The Waterfront Duck — an amphibious tour departing nearby, moving from city streets into the harbour waters.
- Zeitz MOCAA — a contemporary African art museum in a converted grain silo, a short walk from the square.
- Nelson Mandela Gateway — the departure point for ferries to Robben Island, a few minutes’ walk away.
- Watershed Market — an indoor craft market a short walk from the square, selling local design and art.
Alternative attractions
- Iziko Slave Lodge — about 10 minutes away in the city centre, tracing the history of slavery and human rights in South Africa.
- District Six Museum — about 10 minutes away, documenting forced removals under apartheid.
- Castle of Good Hope — about 10 minutes away, South Africa’s oldest surviving colonial building.
- Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum — about 15 minutes away, on the heritage of the Cape Malay community.
- Heart of Cape Town Museum at Groote Schuur Hospital — about 20 minutes away, telling the story of the world’s first heart transplant.
More Cape Town travel
Other Cape Town travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- A guide to tackling Chapman’s Peak Drive in Cape Town.
- Guide to riding the Flying Dutchman Funicular and visiting Dias Beach at Cape Point.
- World of Birds visitor guide: Why this Hout Bay wildlife attraction is more than just an aviary.
- Practical visitor guide to the Camps Bay Tidal Pool in Cape Town.
- A complete guide to visiting the Drakenstein Lion Park in Paarl.
