Once you’ve booked your cheap flights to Cape Town because you simply couldn’t resist the lure of this entertaining city, it’s time to consider how best to get the most out of your money during your stay, and we can help you with just that.

Our list of weird, wonderful and amazing things to do in Cape Town for under R200, will help you to see and do more than you ever thought possible while in the Mother City.

As an international visitor who has booked cheap domestic flights to the Cape, click here to compare prices in the currency of your choice. Tariffs are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.

Here’s what to expect when you are visiting Cape Town on a budget:

1. Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art

The Zeitz MOCAA is one of the more recent additions to the Cape Town skyline, having opened its doors in late 2017. The Museum was constructed from the old Silo at the V&A Waterfront and is an architectural masterpiece and a cultural highlight (for all ages) of any trip to Cape Town.

The largest collection of contemporary African art in the world is housed within its walls, spread over 9 floors and more than 100 galleries. The artists represented here hail from all over Africa as well as the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.

After several hours browsing these incredible exhibitions you can wind down with a meal and something cool to drink at the rooftop restaurant which boasts 270-degree views of the city skyline, ocean and mountains.

Cost:

R180 per adult, under 18s free. Click here for the latest prices and to book online.

Special Offers:

Free entry for African Nationals on Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm

Half price on the first Friday of every month.

Opening Times:

• Every day including Public Holidays from 10am 6pm. Last entry: 5h30pm
• Closed on Tuesdays except during the December school holiday.
• First Friday of the month: Open until 9pm

Address: 

Silo District, S Arm Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

2. Take a drive around Chapmans Peak

At Boulders Penguin Colony, you can enjoy a moment in time in the close proximity to one of the world’s few remaining colonies of African penguins. Wooden walkways give you access to meander among the birds and see their nesting sites, while the information centre is an fun stop for children.

Boulders Beach is sheltered with shallow pools for children to paddle in and popular with families who want to avoid the crowds on the more touristic beaches.

Cost:

R76 for adults, R41 for children (2 11 Years). Click here for the latest prices.

Opening Times:

7 days a week as follows:

• Dec Jan: 7am 7h30 pm
• Feb April: 8am 6h30 pm
• May Sept: 8am 5pm
• Oct Nov:  8am 6h30 pm

Address:
Kleintuin Rd, Simon’s Town

3. Boulders Beach Penguin Colony

At Boulders Penguin Colony, you can enjoy a moment in time in the close proximity to one of the world’s few remaining colonies of African penguins. Wooden walkways give you access to meander among the birds and see their nesting sites, while the information centre is an fun stop for children.

Boulders Beach is sheltered with shallow pools for children to paddle in and popular with families who want to avoid the crowds on the more touristic beaches.

Cost:

R76 for adults, R41 for children (2 11 Years). Click here for the latest prices.

Opening Times:

7 days a week as follows:

• Dec Jan: 7am 7h30 pm
• Feb April: 8am 6h30 pm
• May Sept: 8am 5pm
• Oct Nov:  8am 6h30 pm

Address:
Kleintuin Rd, Simon’s Town

4. Royale Eatery on Long Street

Long Street is pumping any time of the night and day, filled with all of Cape Town’s most interesting people. They flock here for the boutiques, sidewalk cafés and thumping nightclubs on the strip.

Once you’ve had your fill of the action, settle down for some people-watching on a balcony table at Royale Eatery for a meal and a bird’s eye view of the passing parade. This multi-award winning establishment is famous for its burgers and double thick shakes and has been recognised as one of the city’s foremost casual dining venues.

Cost:

Currently, a Royale Classic burger with your choice of fries will set you back R85 and a shake to go with that is R35. Check out the latest menu here.

Opening Times:

Monday Saturday: 12pm 11h30pm

Address:
273 Long Street, Cape Town

5. Iziko Cape Town Planetarium

The Iziko Cape Town Planetarium harnesses the power of digital technology, multiple projectors and the Minolta ‘Star Machine’ to showcase spectacular displays of the night stars any time of the day or night. Tours are offered on most weekdays and audio visual presentations are held at 1pm on weekdays and at 2h30pm on the weekends. An evening show is held on Tuesdays at 8pm.

While you are there you can browse among the incredible artefacts of the South African Museum too. Together, these two venues are the oldest in South Africa and the planetarium is one of just 2 in the country.

Cost:

Adults R60, Under 19s, students and pensioners R30. See the latest prices here.

Opening Times:
Monday –  Sunday: 9am 5pm
Closed on Worker’s Day (1 May) and Christmas Day

Closed on the first Monday of every month except during school holidays

Address:
25 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town

6. Company’s Garden Cape Town

After your outer-space experiences spend some ‘free’ time back on terra firma in the lush and peaceful environment of the Company’s Garden nearby. This verdant city space is a popular spot for locals to spend their lunch hour and the venue for trendy markets on the weekend. The Company’s Garden is South Africa’s oldest cultivated place, set up to feed the original settlers. The gardens boast glorious views of Table Mountain.

Read a book, admire the lush indigenous gardens, or befriend a squirrel while you relax in this peaceful hub. The onsite restaurant is run by the highly-regarded Madame Zingara’s franchise and offers light meals and liquid refreshment. Scones and coffee are just the thing to compliment this peaceful experience.

Cost:

FREE to enter

Scones, pastries and cake slices are all under R60 and a cup of the good stuff will set you back R22. See the latest restaurant menu here.

Opening Times:
The Gardens are always open
Restaurant hours are from 7h30am to 5h30pm every day of the week

Address:
15 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town

7. Mojo Market Sea Point Cape Town

The Mojo Market is one of the latest additions to the Cape Town urban street market scene. Housed in a 2 000m sq. venue in bustling Sea Point.

Here you can sample a wide range of artisan coffees at the Coffee Collective, snack on quick eats courtesy of 25 vendors, browse to your heart’s content among the 45 upmarket shops, pick up some fresh produce, or catch a free live music show if you’re in luck.

A stroll down the Sea Point Promenade at sunset is a fitting end to a day spent in this vibey suburb.

Cost:

FREE to browse.

Opening Times:
Food Stalls –  Monday Thursday: 11am 10pm
Friday Sunday: 10am 10pm
Open for breakfast from 8am

Retailers: 10am 6pm, 7 days a week

Address:
30 Regent Road, Sea Point, Cape Town

8. Devil’s Peak Brewing Company

Get into the trendy Woodstock groove with a stop at Woodstock Brewing Company after you’ve ambled the streets of this up and coming neighbourhood. The colourful characters in this area are an attraction in themselves, but then there are also the antique shops, coffee cafés, and vintage boutiques to explore.

At the brewery, you can tempt your taste buds with a craft beer and food pairing board, enjoy 50% off during the daily Happy Hour, or tuck into a wide range of weekly specials. You’re bound to find something to suit your palate and your wallet here.

Cost:

Happy Hour: Monday Friday, 4pm 6pm

Specials range from R100 to R195 (platter for two)

Download the menu and see the latest deals here

Opening Times:
Bar: Monday Saturday: 11am 2am
Meals served Monday Sunday: 12pm 10pm

Address:
150 Cecil Road, Salt River, Woodstock, Cape Town

9. Take to the Trails at Meerendal

Cycling, jogging and walking are a treat at Meerendal Wine Estate. You can amble or pedal at will along well-maintained trails with a view of the surrounding vines and countryside.

Afterward, the onsite restaurant or tasting room offer opportunities for refreshment if you wish and the bike store is open daily for repairs, spares and bike sales.

Take your own bike or head for the trails on foot for a wonderful experience in the wine lands just 30 minutes’ drive from Cape Town. There is a free park run at 8am every Saturday morning.

Cost:

R30 for adults, R10 for children under 12. (Paid into the honesty box at the entrance).

Opening Times:
Daily from 8am 6pm

Address:
Vissershoek Road, Durbanville, Cape Town

10. Honest Chocolate Cape Town CBD

Round up a group of friends or like-minded travellers and indulge in a chocolate tasting at Honest Chocolate in the Cape Town CBD.

You’ll get to sample their range of sustainably produced organic bars, bonbons and spread and get to learn a little about how they create these masterpieces too. The experience lasts about half an hour and the only catch is that you need a group of 8 people to take part.

If you can’t rustle up a posse, you may have to settle for a tasting of your own making at the onsite restaurant which serves up coffee, tea and chocolatey goodies of every description instead.

Cost:

R100 per person, minimum 8 people. See the latest price list and menu here. 

Opening Times:
Sunday Thursday: 9am 6pm
Friday Saturday: 9am to 9pm

Address:
64A Wale Street, Cape Town CBD

11. Franschhoek Motor Museum

Ladies and gentlemen can rev their engines at this immaculate display of exceptional vehicles in the gorgeous environment of the Franschhoek Valley. This priceless collection is housed on the Antonij Rupert Wine Estate, just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town and features cars, bicycles and motorbikes.

Here you can view vehicles which were crafted at the dawn of the last century, such as the 1904 Oldsmobile, as well as a few racy numbers like a McLaren F1.

Cost:

R80 per adult, pensioners and motor club members pay R60, R40 for children aged 3 12. See the latest rates here.

Opening Times:
Please note that advance booking is essential

Monday Friday: 10am 5pm
Saturday Sunday: 10am 4pm

The museum stays open an hour later during the December and March South African school holidays.

Address:
R45, Franschhoek

12. The Duck Parade at Vergenoegd Wine Estate

You’ll find a variety of wine tastings along Cape Town’s wine routes for around R50. The experience usually includes a selection of 5 or more wines and takes about an hour.

A visit to Vergenoegd Wine Estate in Stellenbosch comes with a charming addition to the experience. Every day, visitors can enjoy the parade of the estate’s Indian Runner ducks as they walk to and from their day jobs in the vineyards. These waddling workers are part of Vergenoegd’s environmentally-friendly pest control efforts. There are currently over 1 000 ducks hard at work in the fields and you can see them marching by at set times during the day.

Other attractions at Vergenoegd include picnics, wine tastings and Cellar Tours. Pre-booking is essential for all the activities at this wine estate.

Cost:

Picnics from R195 per couple

Kiddies picnics from R75

Wine tastings (R50)

A R10 donation is appreciated for the Duck Parade

See the latest rates here.

Opening Times:
Please note that advance booking is essential.

Duck Parade Daily at 10h30am, 12h30pm and 3h30pm

Wine tasting Open daily

Monday Saturdays: 9am 5pm
Sundays 10am 4pm

Address:
R45, Franschhoek

Find More, for less with Cheap Flights Around South Africa

We could fill many pages with all the budget friendly options available for visitors to Cape Town, but we had to start somewhere! Most of the beaches offer free access, the ocean is a playground for kite surfers, surfers and kayakers, nature is on show for a song at numerous National Parks around the city, and you’ll find no shortage of markets, museums and theatres with Free or cheap entry fees.

If you are planning to visit South Africa from abroad or want to explore more of your home country, check our flight comparisons before you do another thing. We compare prices from all the leading airlines to bring you cheap domestic flights in South Africa to all the country’s major destinations.

Start planning all that you can do for under R200 in the Mother City by booking cheap flights to Cape Town today.