The view
City and ocean.
dconvertini — CC BY-SA 2.0 · dconvertini — CC BY-SA 2.0 · dconvertini — CC BY-SA 2.0 · dconvertini — CC BY-SA 2.0 · dconvertini — CC BY-SA 2.0
Signal Hill is a landmark flat-topped hill in Cape Town, South Africa, next to Lion's Head and Table Mountain, about 2 km from the city centre in a straight line. It is also called Lion's Rump, since together with Lion's Head it looks like a sphinx. The hill takes its name from the signal flags once flown from it to send weather warnings and anchoring instructions to ships, which could fly flags of their own to call for help. In 1836 a time ball was set up here, dropping at a precise moment so ships in the bay could check their marine chronometers, a practice that lasted until 1934. Today the hill is known for the Noon Gun, fired every day. A road leads to the summit, which looks out over the city centre, the harbour and the Atlantic seaboard, taking in the white beaches of Camps Bay, Table Mountain, Lion's Head and the blue ocean. Paragliders often drift from the slopes towards the shore. Visitors drive to the top for sunrise and sunset over the city and ocean, and many picnic on the grass. The visit pairs well with the colourful Bo-Kaap quarter on the hill's lower slopes.
City and ocean.
Over the Atlantic.
Over the slopes.
Signal Hill Road, Cape Town, South Africa
Bo-KaapCape Town's historic Muslim quarter, on the slopes of Signal Hill above the city16 minutes walk
Auwal MosqueThe oldest mosque in South Africa, built in 1794 on Dorp Street in the Bo-Kaap a17 minutes walk4.9
Company's GardenThe oldest garden in South Africa, at the heart of Cape Town, planted by the Dut23 minutes walk4.7By car on Signal Hill Road.
The Bo-Kaap.