The bustling South African city of Cape Town is rich with history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a must-see destination for every travel enthusiast. Plenty of Cape Town’s major attractions cost less than R215 (approximately $15), making it the ideal destination for any adventurer on a tight budget, and its plethora of activities are sure to satisfy the preferences of every guest.
When you’re planning your own trip to this beautiful port city, check out the following top-rated attractions to keep your savings in check while still experiencing everything that Cape Town has to offer:
Take a free walking tour
Cape Town tour guides offer daily walking tours that are completely free to join, and require no reservation. Simply show up at Motherland Coffee Company at 11 am, 2 pm, or 4:20 pm to sign up for a tour of your choice. On the Apartheid to Freedom tour, you can learn about the impacts and consequences of apartheid while seeing several locations related to its history, including St. George’s Cathedral, Desmond Tutu, and The Cape High Court. For a deeper look into the past centuries of Cape Town’s existence, take a Historic City Tour to visit the Company’s Garden, The Castle of Good Hope, and Green Market Square. The third tour will take visitors through Bo Kaap to learn about the neighborhood’s distinct history, admire the colorful architecture, see the oldest mosque, and visit the Atlas Spice Trading Centre.
Go hiking
Cape Town is famous for its fantastic hiking opportunities that offer unbeatable views of the city and the ocean surrounding it. Lion’s Head, the slope nearest to the unique Table Mountain, is one of the most popular trails for Cape Town residents and tourists alike. If you’re a night owl, you can hike Lion’s Head during a full moon to go stargazing and enjoy a late-night picnic along with dozens of other hiking enthusiasts. For a more secluded hiking experience, head over to Tygerberg Nature Reserve to explore the various well-marked trails while keeping an eye out for wildlife such as Cape foxes, baboons, badgers, porcupines, and several other animals. More experienced and adventurous hikers can enjoy the thrills of hiking the more challenging routes, such as Platteklip Gorge, Suicide Gorge, and Devil’s Peak.
Wander the Iziko Museums of South Africa
Whether you want to learn more about the history of Cape Town, fuel your curiosity for science, or simply explore a fascinating museum, Cape Town has you covered! South Africa offers 11 museums, several libraries, a Social History archive, and the most advanced planetarium on the continent, all costing R60 or less. Visit the Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum to learn more about the history of Islamic culture and take a step back in time to see what life was like for a Muslim family in the 19th century. Take a tour of the South African Museum, which was founded back in 1825, to see over a million fossils, specimens, objects, and collections that attract tourists from all over the world. Admire the striking architecture of The Castle of Good Hope, which holds a significant portion of artwork, historical information, and artifacts that are from the early colonial period of South Africa. For more information about the various cultures that influenced South Africa and for a more comprehensive history of the region, the Social History Centre is the perfect place to begin exploring.
Relax at the beach
Cape Town is home to 72 various beaches that are perfect for catching some rays or riding the waves, depending on your individual preferences. A few of the most unique and popular beaches in the area include Boulder’s Beach, Silwerstroomstrand, Muizenberg, and Strandfontein. Boulder’s Beach is an ideal place for families with children since it’s rarely crowded and it’s considered a Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. Visitors to Boulder’s Beach also get the chance to see the colony of African penguins that reside in the area! Silwerstroomstrand is another family-friendly location that’s great for walking, fishing, and picnics along the shore. Muizenberg is an excellent beach for swimming, surfing, or playing beach sports like volleyball and soccer, and Strandfontein often hosts a range of events for you to check out.
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