Simon's Town is rich in historical significance. The settlement was founded in 1743 as a winter anchorage by the first governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel and named after him. After the British had taken over the Cape in 1806, the town became a base of the Royal Navy. In 1957 it became a South African navy base.

Simon's Town with its Victorian and Cape Dutch houses is a pretty little seaside town. The restaurants and coffeeshops in the Main Road and also in the new Quayside Waterfront with a harbour view, are an inviting way to spend some time.