Adderley Street
Adderley Street
3.5
About
This street has always been Cape Town’s main street, from its earliest days as an elegant shady walkway to its present dense throng of storefronts.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
68 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
22
Average
28
Poor
6
Terrible
1
travelingcubz
Cape Town, South Africa92 contributions
Dec 2019
This year the annual switching on of the lights festival in Cape Town turned 50! It is a festival celebrated by Cape Townians to welcome the start of the Summer and the festive season, and also all those visiting the city during the Summer. The festival has definitely become more pop and a lot more crowded than I remember as a kid, but it's still something amazing to experience, especially the countdown to when the Christmas lights are finally switched on! It's magical, and there are stalls selling all kinds of festive props and souvenirs.
The kids obviously love this and although we've seen a fair amount of law enforcement at the event while we were there, I would warn to keep the little ones close and to be vigilant at all times. I suppose this is standard at any event anywhere with large groups.
I hope you have a fab time at the festival of lights,
Travelingcubz
The kids obviously love this and although we've seen a fair amount of law enforcement at the event while we were there, I would warn to keep the little ones close and to be vigilant at all times. I suppose this is standard at any event anywhere with large groups.
I hope you have a fab time at the festival of lights,
Travelingcubz
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands5,824 contributions
Nov 2021
Sort of Cape Town's main street Adderley is a busy thoroughfare lined with shopping centers, fastfood restaurants, retail shops, banks and some historical buildings. The railway station (under repair) and Adderley station, the main hub of the MyCiTi bus system is also on Adderley. For pedestrians the street is not always easily traversable (an underground passage is in disrepair). Cape Town's city planners still seem rather car-focused.
Wish they would restore the old canal with shady trees, once called Heerengracht as a place for pedestrians only.
Wish they would restore the old canal with shady trees, once called Heerengracht as a place for pedestrians only.
Written November 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The World is My Oyster
Orlando, FL21,671 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
Walked up and down the street and really wasn't tok impressed with the architectural design of the buildings, nor did the place have so much flare about it. It is a busy street with lots of traffic, nothing more.
Written September 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sianelizabethlewis
Caerwys, UK9 contributions
I worked in Adderley Street 20 years ago and returned this week for a visit. It's a disgrace how one of the main city streets can be so run down, dirty and full of crappy stalls. It used to be a smart thoroughfare full of smart shops and businesses.
Written November 18, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jana C
Prague, Czech Republic4,623 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
I wouldn't call this a tourist destination, this is a big street with shops and banks, some buildings are quite pretty but don't worry if you miss this street.
Written July 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dirk001
Denver, CO141 contributions
Sep 2012
Over-rated "attraction"I did not feel safe, with very little effective policing around or visible. I certainly would take care walking around here too late. The area was very crowded with mass of traffic, buit within walking distance of most down-town attractions and house of parliment, Iziko museum etc
Written December 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mike d
Fareham, UK843 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
Running up from the Main Railway Station to the bend at Company Garden into Wale Street, Adderley is a noisy, bustle of humanity. Street venders, rough sleepers, tourists, city workers, cab drivers, market traders they are all here joining the mix that is life on the street. High end retailers next door to cafes are found all along the main thoroughfare linked by buses and taxis.
Many of the pavements are used as shop extensions and a bollard blocked strip separates the road from the pathway.
There are many banks along the road and plenty of ATM's. Security is very visible with police, green beret helpers and citizen guards all on high alert. Watch out for scammers who will invite you to sign a bank card, any one will do Sir, receipt at an ATM to prove you are an "authorised tourist" and allowed to take photos. Yes it did happen like that.
Just refuse and walk away. Preferably towards a crowd.
That aside I like the vibrancy of the place.
Many of the pavements are used as shop extensions and a bollard blocked strip separates the road from the pathway.
There are many banks along the road and plenty of ATM's. Security is very visible with police, green beret helpers and citizen guards all on high alert. Watch out for scammers who will invite you to sign a bank card, any one will do Sir, receipt at an ATM to prove you are an "authorised tourist" and allowed to take photos. Yes it did happen like that.
Just refuse and walk away. Preferably towards a crowd.
That aside I like the vibrancy of the place.
Written July 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emarie B
Paarl, South Africa678 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
We stayed one night in Cartwright Building 19 Adderley St right in the middle of town. The apartment is completely sound proof so we had an excellent night of rest. We went for an early morning walk and it is 5 minutes to the Company Gardens, Parliament, Church square, Greenmarket Square and St Georges Mall. It is an interesting mix of buildings, old and new, of different architectural styles. More than worthwhile experience, comparing with the best in the world.
Written April 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
podrozniczka60
New Jersey16,593 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Very nice street full of former glory disturbed at times by the influx of other aspects of life. The buildings reflect the changes in architectural styles over the decades. Still fun to experience and take in but with some degree of awareness of your surroundings.
Written October 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerard N
Saint Julian's, Malta1,494 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
Adderly Street when we in our earlier days used to live there was fantastic. Huge and booming department stores, lovely shops, banks, newspaper houses and such. Law abiding. Now Adderly Street has become a part of Africa. Occupied by people of all cultures, nationalities and tribes it has become a mayhem and definitely a "not to go" place especially at night. If you get your timing wrong you will certainly be possibly robbed and at worst be mugged and/or pickpocketed. Why go to Adderly Street while the authorities seem to be doing nothing about visible law enforcement and crime prevention. There are so many options in the Cape area which are safe and very nice. Drug Pedlars are everywhere.
Written September 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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