Long Street Tours

Long Street

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Admire the Victorian architecture of the buildings and the quirky atmosphere in the bookstores and museums of this iconic street.

Long Street is a historic avenue with diverse international restaurants and eclectic nightlife options. With its bookstores, second-hand shops and ethnic dining establishments, it has a bohemian atmosphere and an important place in local history. Hear how the theaters on this street are renowned for having put on anti-apartheid plays in the 1970s.

Note the eccentricity of some of the shops in this trendy area. Inspect the Victorian architecture and the wrought iron balconies overlooking the street. Among the impressive edifices are the Carnival Court and the Blue Lodge, which are now youth hostels.

Order a drink at one of the coffee houses and watch the vacationers, shoppers and joggers congregate along the street. Rest your feet in the Turkish Baths of the Long Street Baths complex. It has a large main pool and a children’s pool with hot baths and showers.

This main avenue is the place for city-wide celebrations and events. Peruse the intriguing trinkets and artifacts on display in the Pan African Market. Haggle for souvenirs and gifts with an African theme, such as jewelry, art and traditional masks.

Stay into the evening, when the neon signs of fashionable bars and hip nightclubs light up the street. Rowdy clubs with skilled cocktail designers entertain revelers until the early hours of the morning. Many parties are held on the private balconies and rooftop lounges, while the street below is abuzz in summer.

Note that traffic flows one way uphill in a southwestern direction, with the parallel Loop Street carrying traffic downhill. The whole street is 2.3 miles (3.8 kilometers) long.

Long Street runs through the City Bowl part of the Cape Town City Centre. Ride a bus to one of the many stops along the street. Visit the nearby Bo-Kaap neighborhood a few blocks west and see St. George’s Cathedral to the south.

Browse tours and tickets to explore Long Street

Reviews of Long Street

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
60
" "5 - Excellent 30.456852791878173%
4 - Good
101
" "4 - Good 51.26903553299493%
3 - Okay
29
" "3 - Okay 14.720812182741117%
2 - Disappointing
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" "2 - Disappointing 2.5380710659898478%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 1.015228426395939%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Feb 13, 2020

Watch your haandbag - pickpockets abound! Lots of fun boutiques and bars.

4/5 - Good

Holly
Apr 23, 2019

"Merchants on Long" has the best selection of luxury fashions made in Africa.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Feb 5, 2019

good place to exchange money.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 13, 2019

I was in Cape Town during New Year’s Eve. Long street was bustling! Full of night life, businesses and restaurants. Absolutely great vibes on Long Street.

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Best Lodging Options Near Long Street

Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel
Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel
4 out of 5
38 Long Street, Cape Town, Western Cape
Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel
Taj Cape Town
Taj Cape Town
5 out of 5
1 Wale Street, corner St Georges Mall, Cape Town, Western Cape
Taj Cape Town
AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront
AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront
4 out of 5
Dockrail Road, Foreshore, Cape Town, Western Cape
AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront
City Lodge Hotel Victoria And Alfred Waterfront
City Lodge Hotel Victoria And Alfred Waterfront
3 out of 5
Cnr Dock And Alfred Roads, Cape Town, Western Cape
City Lodge Hotel Victoria And Alfred Waterfront
ONOMO Hotel Cape Town - Inn on the Square
ONOMO Hotel Cape Town - Inn on the Square
3 out of 5
10 Greenmarket Square Road, Cape Town, Western Cape
ONOMO Hotel Cape Town - Inn on the Square
SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl
SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl
3.5 out of 5
23 Buitengracht Street, Corner Buitengracht & Strand Street, Cape Town, Western Cape
SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl
Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town
Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town
4 out of 5
1 Lower Buitengracht, Cape Town, Western Cape
Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town
Gorgeous George by Design Hotels
Gorgeous George by Design Hotels
5 out of 5
118 St Georges Mall, Cape Town, Western Cape
Gorgeous George by Design Hotels
Southern Sun Cape Sun
Southern Sun Cape Sun
4 out of 5
23 Strand Street, Cape Town, Western Cape
Southern Sun Cape Sun
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.