2 cities · 3 museums
The best museums in South Africa are Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, Apartheid Museum and Robben Island Museum. World Museum Guide covers 3 museums in South Africa across 2 cities, with admission prices, opening hours and highlights for each. Check each guide for current prices and free days.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
| # | Museum | City | Admission | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa | Cape Town | R250 for international visitors | 2 hours |
| 2 | Apartheid Museum | Johannesburg | From R150 | 2–3 hours |
| 3 | Robben Island Museum | Cape Town | From R400 including return ferry | 3.5 hours |
Cape Town, South Africa
Art Museum · Best for art lovers & first-timers
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is a contemporary art museum located in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa. The museum opened on 22 September 2017 and is the largest museum of contemporary African art in the world.
R250 for international visitors · ⏱ 2 hours · Closed Tuesdays
Johannesburg, South Africa
History & Archaeology · Best for history enthusiasts
The Apartheid Museum opened in 2001 on a seven-hectare site next to Gold Reef City in Johannesburg. It was the first museum in South Africa dedicated to documenting the apartheid era and the struggle for democracy — conceived before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission had completed its work.
From R150 · ⏱ 2–3 hours · Closed Mondays
Cape Town, South Africa
World Heritage & Culture · Best for history enthusiasts
Robben Island — 'Seal Island' in Dutch — lies 7 km off the coast of Cape Town in Table Bay. For over 400 years it served as a prison, leper colony, and military base. From 1961 to 1991 it held political prisoners of the apartheid regime, including Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 of his 27 imprisoned years here.
From R400 including return ferry · ⏱ 3.5 hours
The best museums in South Africa are Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, Apartheid Museum and Robben Island Museum, ranked by visitor numbers and collection strength.
World Museum Guide covers 3 museums in South Africa across 2 cities.
Most charge admission, but Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa offer free or reduced entry on certain days or for certain visitors. See each guide for the rules.
