Castle of Good Hope

"We don't know too much about this place; care to kick us off?A sprawling building near the shoreline of Table Bay, the Castle of Good Hope is a 17th-century site that draws large crowds. Daily tours tell the rich history of the building, which was built by the Dutch East India Company as a fort and replenishment station for ships, and dates back to 1666. It's the oldest colonial building in the country. Sounds cool. So, what kinds of things are we going to see here?There are a number of elements to see, from the prison cells to the governor's house to the gruesome torture chamber. It's a lot to take in, so make the most of the experience by booking a guided tour. Hm, a guided tour...can you tell us a little more about those? What's included?Regular guided tours run throughout the morning and afternoon, but the key ceremony—unlocking the entrance of the castle by the ceremonial guards—and the canon firing both take place at set times in the morning. If you can't make these, don't write off the experience; do, however, carve out time for a guided tour. Keep an eye on the calendar for events like festivals and concerts. Alright, duly noted. Any other practical advice you can offer?Wear a good pair of walking shoes. Although you won't be trekking long distances, you will be moving around. Got it. Oh, and if there's a gift shop, is it worth a stop? Is there anything in particular we should pick up?You can pick up locally made items at the gift shop, but it's not worth the trip alone. Good to know. How about the café? Or should we hightail it somewhere else to eat?There's an in-house deli, but it's nothing to write home about—especially not in Cape Town, one of the greatest food cities on the continent." - Mary Holland