Sights · Our pick in Cape Town
Heart of Cape Town Museum
The first heart transplant, 1967
Guided tours of the theatre where the first human heart transplant was done, on 3 December 1967.
Our take
- 3 December 1967
- Guided tours only
- Book ahead
- Address
- Groote Schuur Hospital, Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town
Observatory · Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town - Nearest MyCiTi
- Upper Roodebloem
1.1 km · 14 min walk
More distances - Phone
- +27 21 404 1967
- Website
- heartofcapetown.co.za
About Heart of Cape Town Museum
On 3 December 1967, in the Charles Saint Theatre at Groote Schuur Hospital, Professor Christiaan Barnard led the first successful human heart transplant. The museum tells the story in guided tours, Monday to Friday at 9am, 11am and 1pm; booking is essential.
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Heart of Cape Town Museum before you go.
Last checked: October 2026 How we choose
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What’s nearby
Distances from Heart of Cape Town Museum are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 12 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest MyCiTi stops
- Upper RoodebloemMyCiTi1.1 km14 min walk
Key sights
- Zeitz MOCAA5.2 kmCycle 26 minCar or taxi 17 min
- Robben Island boats5.3 kmCycle 27 minCar or taxi 18 min
- The V&A Waterfront5.6 kmCycle 28 minCar or taxi 18 min
- The Table Mountain cableway5.7 kmCycle 29 minCar or taxi 19 min
- Kirstenbosch5.8 kmCycle 29 minCar or taxi 19 min
- Cape Town International Airport13 kmCar or taxi 37 min
- Cape Point46 kmCar or taxi 116 min
Railway stations
- Cape Town station3.9 kmCycle 20 minCar or taxi 14 min
Location
The map comes from Google Maps, which sets its own cookies once it loads.
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