Cape Town is the gem in South Africa’s crown. Equipped with breathtaking scenery, world-class cuisine and thriving culture, there are many ways to explore the Mother City.
The best part of this city is the fact that it’s accessible to everyone, its top attractions are easily accessible for just a few dollars.
Things to Do in Cape Town for Under $10
Here are the 7 best things to do in Cape Town for under $10.
1. Tour Chapman’s Peak Drive
The Cape Peninsula is known for its most awe-inspiring scenery. One of the very best ways to take it all in is to tour Chapman’s Peak Drive, a popular road with a minimal per-vehicle toll. This road is 5.5 miles/ 9 kilometres long reaching the western flank of Chapman’s Peak Mountain, connecting the picturesque coastal villages of Hout Bay and Noordhoek.
On this road, you’ll get to see lookout points and picnic sites offering panoramic views of the Constantiaberg Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean from atop the road’s plunging cliffs.
Cost: ZAR 45 per car or ZAR29 per motorbike.
2. Enjoy Nature at Kirstenbosch Gardens
Located against Table Mountain’s eastern slopes, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a veritable garden in the heart of the city. This is coupled with plants from every region of Southern Africa spread out over 36 hectares of land.
You will find Fynbos, proteas, and sugarbushes that recreate the magic of the area’s UNESCO-protected Cape Floristic Region, which is also home to a host of colourful birds like the Cape sugarbird and the orange-breasted sunbird.
Cost: ZAR 65 per adult or ZAR 15 per child (kids under 6 are free)
3. Meet the Boulders Beach Penguins
Located just outside Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach is yet another city’s picture-perfect coastal village. Home to a rare land-based African penguin colony, this beach offers a unique opportunity to see these lovable little birds up close.
For a small conservation fee, you can see the penguins on their nests without disturbing their daily routine.
Cost: ZAR 70 per adult or ZAR 35 per child
4. Learn About Apartheid at District Six Museum
This is quite an affordable museum narrating the story of District Six, a municipal area earlier inhabited by an eclectic mix of immigrants, merchants and freed slaves.
More than 60,000 District Six residents were forcibly removed, their homes bulldozed to ensure that they could not return.
The museum narrates the story of their suffering and also sheds light on the area’s regeneration over the years.
Cost: ZAR 40 per adult (self-guided tour) or ZAR 55 per adult (guided tour)/ ZAR 15 per student
5. Explore the Colorful Streets of Bo-Kaap
Also known as the Malay Quarter, this place between Signal Hill and Cape Town city centre is now known as Bo-Kaap. It is home to the city’s Cape Malay people, descendants of Malaysian and Indonesian slaves brought to South Africa by Dutch colonialists in the 1700s.
It’s known for its steep cobbled streets and pastel-painted houses where you can join a free walking tour or explore the neighbourhood on your own, visiting landmarks like Auwal Mosque, and the Bo-Kaap Museum.
Do not forget to enjoy the traditional Cape Malay cuisine at a traditional restaurant.
Cost: Free to explore on foot, ZAR 20 per adult/ ZAR 10 per child for entry into the Bo-Kaap Museum
6. Hike Up Lion’s Head Mountain
You can also hike up nearby Lion’s Head which takes nearly 1.5 hours. With the help of steel ladders and chain hand rails, you can reach the summit.
The view from the top is just amazing and worth your effort. You can watch Table Mountain, as well as Cape Town, Table Bay, and Robben Island, spread out hundreds of meters below.
Cost: Free to explore
7. Party at Bay Harbour Market
Located in an old factory near the beautiful Hout Bay waterfront, Bay Harbour Market is one of the best-loved of Cape Town’s many markets. It is held every Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, with over 100 independent stalls selling an incredible range of food, fashion, crafts, and decor.
In winter, a huge fireplace keeps you warm, while the Bay Harbour Sound Stage hosts local live acts throughout the year.
Cost: Free to enter
Synopsis
These are some of the most popular and worth seeking places in Cape Town that you should not miss out on checking just under $10.
