Houses of Parliament

East of the tree-lined pedestrian Government Avenue, which runs through the Company Gardens at the top of Adderley Street, lies the complex of Parliamentary buildings, containing numerous chambers, offices and corridors. It was here that the racial segregation policy of Apartheid rose and fell along with the ascendancy of the National Party which made South Africa the political pariah of the world. Visitors can now book a guided tour of the legislative complex, including historical background and an explanation of how Parliament works. It is also possible to observe debates from the public galleries in the National Assembly or the National Council of Provinces. Open : Hourly tours Mo -Friday 9am to 1pm; Tours are free, but booking is essential!