Simon's Town (pop. 6,000), 6km/4mi south of Fish Hoek at the end of the electric rail line from Cape Town, took its name from Governor Simon van der Stel. Thanks to its sheltered situation it became in 1741 the winter port for Cape Town and in 1957 the main base and training center of the South African Navy. The harbor is also used by many fishing boats and yachts. In the section of St George's Street between the railroad station and Jubilee Square, known as the Historical Mile, there are a number of fine 18th and 19th C buildings.
Simon's Town Museum is housed in the former Governor's residence (1777), the winter residence for the Dutch East India Company's Governor. It exhibits the cultural history of Simon's Town's people and their connections with the Dutch East India Company and the Royal Navy.
Address: Simon's Town Museum, The Residency Court Road, Simon's Town, Western Cape 7975, South Africa
Hours:
9am-4pm; Sun:11am-3pm; Sat:10am-1pm
Always opened on: Human Right's Day - South Africa (March 21), Family Day - South Africa (April 8), Constitution Day - South Africa (April 27), National Women's Day - South Africa (April 19), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), Youth Day - South Africa (June 16), Heritage Day - South Africa (September 24), Day of Goodwill - South Africa (December 26), Day of Reconciliation - South Africa (December 16)
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Good Friday - Christian
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Simon's Town, Cape Town
