Robben Island Prison, Cape Town, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Attractions close by
V&A Waterfront 13kmTwo Oceans Aquarium 13kmIziko South African Musuem 15kmCycle Tour 364 15kmNature Reserves | Cape Town 15kmBlue Flag beaches in Cape Town 15kmTable Mountain 18kmKirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens 21kmGroot Constantia 26kmRelated Places
![Image Title Image Title](https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Aerial-view-of-Cape-Town-before-Volvo-Ocean-Race.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=1125&q=90&w=2000&s=db29dce74f9cb80e9257c7e42bcbb32f 2000w, https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Aerial-view-of-Cape-Town-before-Volvo-Ocean-Race.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=1013&q=90&w=1800&s=82befb877f863c4a254d463368e9f792 1800w, https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Aerial-view-of-Cape-Town-before-Volvo-Ocean-Race.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=900&q=90&w=1600&s=79060401b797e28675e5faff7635733f 1600w, https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Aerial-view-of-Cape-Town-before-Volvo-Ocean-Race.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=788&q=90&w=1400&s=2078684b336d7f74f614486b659ad228 1400w, https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Aerial-view-of-Cape-Town-before-Volvo-Ocean-Race.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=675&q=90&w=1200&s=d60a45970e43fcc547d92b60e4894b16 1200w, https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Aerial-view-of-Cape-Town-before-Volvo-Ocean-Race.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=563&q=90&w=1000&s=1fa63de0612cdf10edeebb543c485b53 1000w, https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Aerial-view-of-Cape-Town-before-Volvo-Ocean-Race.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=450&q=90&w=800&s=863db0836a7127af0dcb1a1686595072 800w, https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Aerial-view-of-Cape-Town-before-Volvo-Ocean-Race.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=338&q=90&w=600&s=7c24374ff52462f370997bea2f0389df 600w, https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Aerial-view-of-Cape-Town-before-Volvo-Ocean-Race.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=225&q=90&w=400&s=eaaa25dec0274615ef5e999a5bcbd47a 400w, https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Aerial-view-of-Cape-Town-before-Volvo-Ocean-Race.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=169&q=90&w=300&s=f8dd87983854589a98898a8e81b5c53c 300w)
Cape Town
What to expect: Former South African president Nelson Mandela spent 18 years imprisoned on Robben Island, which is located just under 7km from off the coast of Bloubergstrand, Cape Town. His stay there has formed an important part of the narrative and itβs the perfect place to start learning of not just his life story, but his fellow political prisoners.
Be inspired by the stories of former prisoners as they guide you through the prison hallways and around the island, which includes a visit to the Lime Quarry and the house of another famous political prisoner Robert Sobukwe. This three to five hour excursion is a life changing experience.
Website: Robben Island Museum
Robben Island Lighthouse
The lighthouse on Robben Island is a shining symbol on an already very symbolic island. Built using locally quarried stone, it dates back to 1865. But during his time imprisoned on the island, Nelson Mandela was forced to quarry the same type of stone.
The circular tower is still operational, and flashes every seven seconds. View the lighthouse on the Robben Island Museum tour. Ferries for the tour leave daily from the Clock Tower at the V&A Waterfront.
![Robben Island Museum Robben Island Museum](https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Robben-Island-Museum.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=1000&q=90&w=2000&s=beb4faaa3aeedc46ef502b2caf9ffeaf)
![Disembarking at Robben Island Disembarking at Robben Island](https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Disembarking-at-Robben-Island_191105_101907.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=1980&q=90&w=2000&s=90cb919eeb8748cac16ec8f01d581989)
![Robben Island Museum 6 Robben Island Museum 6](https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Robben-Island-Museum-6.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=1980&q=90&w=2000&s=0e8bbb71d08e3f759aced3bb777aa600)
![The Lime Quarry at the Robben Island Museum 1 The Lime Quarry at the Robben Island Museum 1](https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/The-Lime-Quarry-at-the-Robben-Island-Museum-1.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=970&q=90&w=2000&s=1337de9e223bdcb2b2b3c2ef4f8ed07f)
The Kramat of Tuan Matarah
Also known as Sayed Abduraghman Motura, was well-known for bringing comfort to prisoners on Robben Island when they were ill. Tuan Matarah passed away on Robben Island, and his Kramat serves as a shrine for remembering his influence of Islam in Cape Town. The Kramat in his honour can be viewed on the Robben Island Museum tour. Ferries for the tour leave daily from the Clock Tower at the V&A Waterfront.
Off the island
In addition to experiences on the Island, there are a number of free Robben Island Museum exhibits on the mainland. This includes the Jetty 1 site, the historical departure point to Robben Island.
Visit for the multimedia interactive exhibition, telling stories from those who went through that space. Also included are accounts of ex-political prisoners, ex-prison warders and their families.
Tucked inside the bustling V&A Waterfront harbour, this is a hidden gem of history that even locals are surprised by.
![Robben Island Museum 1 Robben Island Museum 1](https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Robben-Island-Museum-1.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=1000&q=90&w=2000&s=04d0f8914b1677597850b95fac39ac12)
![Nelson Mandela Gateway at the VA Waterfront Nelson Mandela Gateway at the VA Waterfront](https://wesgro.imgix.net/uploads/files/Tourism/Nelson-Mandela-Gateway-at-the-VA-Waterfront.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=jpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&fp-z=1&h=1980&q=90&w=2000&s=febec81538d431e6177c27c33a93f084)