
The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 21 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket worth booking?
The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket is a 1.5-hour experience in Cape Town, South Africa, from $25 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 21 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (21)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $25 per person
Celebrate one of the greatest moments in medical history at the Heart of Cape Town Museum – a museum dedicated to the world’s first successful heart transplant. Visitors experience the drama of that moment in the fully restored, original operating rooms laid out as they were on the day of the operation. Highlights • Museum dedicated to the world’s first successful heart transplant • Fully restored, original operating rooms laid out as they were on the day of the operation • Trained and certified tour guide
What you get
About this experience
Celebrate one of the greatest moments in medical history at the Heart of Cape Town Museum – a museum dedicated to the world’s first successful heart transplant. Visitors experience the drama of that moment in the fully restored, original operating rooms laid out as they were on the day of the operation. Highlights • Museum dedicated to the world’s first successful heart transplant • Fully restored, original operating rooms laid out as they were on the day of the operation • Trained and certified tour guide
What's included
Included
- Guided tour
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Heart of Cape Town Museum
Celebrate one of the greatest moments in medical history at the Heart of Cape Town Museum – a museum dedicated to the world’s first successful heart transplant. Visitors experience the drama of that moment in the fully restored, original operating rooms laid out as they were on the day of the operation. The medical museum also includes a timeline of events that led up to the operation and exhibitions on the donor Denise Darvall, and the surgeon Christiaan Barnard. A trained and certified tour guide will describe the electrifying events of the day with the help of silicone models and reenacting important scenes. History After being declared braindead, Denise Darvall was brought to Theatre B at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town on 3 December 1967. She was prepared for surgery, and at 03:00 her heart was harvested for transplantation. Professor Christiaan Barnard, assisted by Rodney Hewitson, proceeded to sew the donor heart into the recipients’ chest. The operation lasted four and three quarter hours, and at 06:13, the heart began beating in its new home. The Heart of Cape Town Museum honours the skill and wisdom of the transplant team, the courage of the recipient, the generosity of the donor’s father and the memory of the donor herself. Did you know There were several important milestones that led up to the first human heart transplant. The first of these was an operation performed on a dog on 22 July 1958. Norman Shumway and Dick Lower succeeded in bringing a dog’s heart back to life after it had stopped and been stored in saline for one hour. Six days later, Chris Barnard performed his first open heart surgery on 15-year-old Joan Pick. Advice for visitors At the time of this surgery, Christiaan Barnard received a lot of criticism, particularly with regard to ethics. At the Heart of Cape Town Museum, the exhibition covers Barnard’s struggle and the ethical backlash and international attention the surgery received. Another fascinating feature to take note of is the recreation of the donor recipient’s recovery. Ask the guides as much as you can about it – they are knowledgeable and some have even worked with Barnard! The tour lasts roughly two hours, and although it is a fantastic learning experience for children, pre-school age children and youngsters are not recommended as guests.
Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Heart of Cape Town Museum
Main Road, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town Central, 7925, South Africa
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Heart of Cape Town Museum · Main Road, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town Central, 7925, South Africa
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- SA City Pass
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- The tour lasts roughly two hours, and although it is a fantastic learning experience for children, pre-school age children and youngsters are not recommended as guests.
- The museum is closed on Public Holidays and Weekends
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 21 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
21 verified traveler reviews for The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wrong information
I bought the tickets easily for May 1st. When we got to the hospital we found that the museum was closed due to the public holiday.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback, and we sincerely apologise for the disappointment caused. Unfortunately, Heart of Cape Town Museum was closed on the public holiday, and we understand how frustrating this must have been after successfully booking your tickets. We are reviewing the holiday operating information displayed to ensure this is communicated more clearly to future visitors. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, as feedback like this helps us improve the overall guest experience. We approve a full refund.
via Viator
A Must See
Exceptional! Gide was well educated and communicated well with audience. She made the experience memorable
Response from the operator: Hello Hans. Thank you for the positive feedback and rating your experience with The Heart of Cape Town Museum. City Pass Team
via Viator
Exceptional
An exceptional experience. An inspirational visit. Must visit. Excellent tour guide. Check timing of tours and visit with a guided tour. Guided tour is no extra cost. Guided tour 1 and half hours. Post that you can spend more time on your own. Post the tour read a few more of the Exhibits.
via Viator
An emotional journey back in time.
Well worth a visit. It was very emotional for my husband because one of the surgeons assisting during the first heart transplant had flown over to England to perform a lifesaving heart operation on him back in 1966. But even for the uninvolved it's a super, insightful experience. Highly recommended.
via Viator
Simple and effective
A chronicle of the first human heart transplant with historical video and demonstrative set-up. Simple and effective.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Price range
- $25 to $395
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cape Town.
How much does The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket cost?
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Prices start at $25 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cape Town usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cape Town is not rushed.
Is The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 21 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cape Town, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket?
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Around 7 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cape Town can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cape Town and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cape Town within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cape Town?
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On Outty we rank every Cape Town experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunrise/Sunset Hike, Hike Table Mountain or Lions Head in Cape Town Like a Local, Cape Point and Boulder's Penguins Full Day Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cape Town?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket?
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Included: Guided tour. Not included: Food and drinks; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket?
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The experience starts at Heart of Cape Town Museum, Main Road, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town Central, 7925, South Africa. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Cape Town. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about The Heart of Cape Town Museum Admission Ticket?
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Across 21 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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