Signal Hill & Noon Gun

Signal Hill is the long, flat-topped hill that rises directly behind Bo-Kaap, and it plays a special part in the life of the neighbourhood. Every day except Sundays and public holidays, at exactly twelve o'clock, a loud boom rolls down its slopes and across the city: the firing of the Noon Gun, a tradition that goes back more than two hundred years. In the evening, the top of the hill becomes one of Cape Town's favourite places to watch the sun go down over the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you come for the history, the views or a sunset picnic, Signal Hill is one of the easiest and most rewarding outings from Bo-Kaap.

Why it is called Signal Hill

Before radio and telephones, ships arriving in Table Bay had to be told about the weather, the harbour and the news from shore. Flags hoisted on the hill passed signals between the town and the ships, and lookouts watched for sails on the horizon. That is how the hill got its name. Earlier still, the Dutch called it the Lion's Rump, because together with Lion's Head it looks like a crouching lion when seen from the city.

The Noon Gun

The Noon Gun is fired from the Lion Battery on the lower slopes of Signal Hill, just above the top of Bo-Kaap. The tradition dates back to 1806. In the days of sailing ships, navigators needed to know the exact time to set their chronometers, the clocks they used to work out their position at sea, and the sound of the gun gave every ship in the harbour a precise time signal. Today the two old muzzle-loading cannons used for the firing are among the oldest guns in the world still in daily use, and the firing is carried out by the South African Navy.

You can hear the Noon Gun from anywhere in Bo-Kaap and the city centre — newcomers often jump — but it is worth going up to see it in person. The battery is reached via the steep streets at the top of Bo-Kaap and Military Road. Visitors can usually watch from close by as the gunners prepare the cannon; arrive by about 11:45, keep your hands over your ears when the moment comes, and check locally on the day, as access can change. The walk up from the centre of Bo-Kaap takes around fifteen minutes and gives wonderful views back over the colourful houses to the city and Table Mountain.

Sunset on Signal Hill

The summit of Signal Hill is reached by car along Signal Hill Road, which branches off at Kloof Nek and runs along the top of the ridge. There are several parking areas and viewpoints along the way, and grassy slopes where people spread out blankets in the late afternoon. From here you look out over Sea Point, Green Point and the stadium to the Atlantic, with Robben Island in the distance and Lion's Head rising behind you. As the sun sets into the ocean the sky turns gold and pink, and the lights of the city start to come on below.

Bring a picnic, a warm layer for when the sun goes down and something to sit on. Summer evenings can be busy, especially at weekends, so arrive early to find parking. Signal Hill is also a launch site for tandem paragliding flights — on a calm day you can watch paragliders take off from the slopes and float down towards the promenade at Sea Point.

The kramat on Signal Hill

On the slopes of Signal Hill stands a kramat, the shrine of a Muslim holy man, Sheikh Mohamed Hassen Ghaibie Shah. It is one of the kramats that form a circle around Cape Town, together with the grave of Tuan Guru in the Tana Baru cemetery in Bo-Kaap and others on Robben Island and at Macassar. For the Cape Muslim community these shrines are places of prayer and reflection. If you visit, dress modestly, remove your shoes before entering and keep your voice low. Read more about the history of Islam in the area on our Auwal Mosque page.

Safety tips

Signal Hill is a popular public space, but like many viewpoints in Cape Town it is wise to take some care. Visit with others, especially around sunset and after dark, and do not leave bags, phones or anything else visible in your car. Stick to the main viewpoints and paths, and avoid walking alone in quiet areas of the hill. The wind can be strong on the summit, so hold on to hats, maps and picnic blankets.

Getting there from Bo-Kaap

• For the Noon Gun: walk up through the top of Bo-Kaap to Military Road and the Lion Battery — about fifteen minutes, steeply uphill.
• For sunset on the summit: drive or take a ride-hailing app to Kloof Nek and follow Signal Hill Road to the top — about fifteen minutes by car from Bo-Kaap.
• On foot to the summit: experienced walkers can follow paths up the slopes, but it is better to go with someone who knows the way.

Combine it with other sights

Signal Hill sits between two of Cape Town's great hikes, so it is easy to combine with Lion's Head or a trip up Table Mountain by cable car. In the city below, the Bo-Kaap Museum and the Auwal Mosque are a short walk from the Noon Gun. After sunset, head back down to Bo-Kaap for dinner — browse our restaurants and halal guide — and find a place to stay on the slopes of Signal Hill on our accommodation page.

Photos via Wikimedia Commons: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0; Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0; Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0.