Last Updated on July 16, 2024 by Hannah Stephenson
Looking for some affordable activities in Cape Town?
The Mother City really doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, there’s a ton you can do here without spending much money.
I’ve already covered the best free things to do in Cape Town, so now I’ve turned my attention to the low-cost activities you can enjoy in the city. From boat cruises (yes, really) to gin tasting and world-class scenic drives, there are lots of cheap activities to keep you entertained in Cape Town.
So, without further ado, here are the best things to do in Cape Town for under R100 (£4.30/$5.50 USD).
1. Harbour and Seal Cruise
My top choice of activities for under R100 has to be this Waterfront seal cruise!
It only costs R70, and it’s such a fun thing to do on a sunny afternoon. I had such a good time, and saw tons of seals – including one that was playing with its dinner! I booked my tickets through Viator, which is just as well, as I had to reschedule it the first time I wanted to go.
It’s a sweet and fun activity, and a nice way to see Cape Town’s harbour. The crew were friendly, I was able to grab a drink on board, and I got to see the Waterfront from a new perspective. What’s not to like?
Click here to book your spot on the harbour cruise, with free cancellation!
2. Wine Tasting at Diemersdal
Who doesn’t love a good wine tasting?
I certainly do! And Diemersdal in Durbanville offers two tasting options for under R100. The Estate Tasting costs R50 or the Reserve Tasting is R70. Both include six different wines, so this is pretty generous!
There’s no need to book your tasting at Diemersdal. It’s about 30 minutes north of the city centre in Durbanville, but with prices this low, it’s definitely worth the drive.
The tasting room opens at 9 am from Monday to Saturday, with last admission at 4 pm. On Sundays, it opens at 10 am and the latest time you can start a tasting is 2 pm.
3. Swim at the Sea Point Pool
Right next to the food trucks, you’ll see the Sea Point Pool, an Olympic-sized saltwater pool with a diving board that looks out onto the ocean. It’s just R33 for an adult to swim here, so you could go three times for under R100!
There are showers, change rooms, and kids pools here. During summer, it’s open from 7 am until 7 pm!
4. Check out some museums
Cape Town has a tumultuous history to say the least, and you can discover more about the city’s complex past at one of the many museums around.
Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum
The Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum is housed in one of the neighbourhood’s oldest homes and teaches visitors about what life has been like for Bo Kaap residents from the 1800s right up to the present day. Admission costs R60 for foreign visitors, or R40 for residents.
District Six
The District Six Museum is also super interesting. District Six was a diverse, working-class neighbourhood whose community was displaced during apartheid as a result of the Group Areas Act, which decreed that different racial groups could not inhabit the same area.
It’s definitely worth taking the time to go and learn more about the area and read personal testimonies from those who were displaced during apartheid. Entry to the District Six Museum costs R60 per person.
Irma Stern
There’s also the Irma Stern Museum, which chronicles the life of the eponymous artist, traveller, and collector. After she died, her home was opened to the public, and for R60 you can go and learn all about her life and work.
The museum is open from 10 am until 5 pm on weekdays, and from 10 am until 2 pm on weekends. It’s in Rosebank, close to the University of Cape Town and Rondebosch.
5. Play Putt-Putt
If you’re not South African, you’ll know putt-putt as mini golf instead. But whatever it’s called, you can play it along the prom for R40 for one game, or R80 for three. It’s pretty good fun, and the course is open 9 am until 9 pm daily.
Check out this article for a full list of Cape Town’s putt putt courses!
6. Get a Pastel de Nata at the Oranjezicht Market
There are so many delicious treats on offer at the Oranjezicht Market that, for a first-timer, it can be difficult to make a decision. But seasoned Capetonians know that it’s all about the pasteis de nata from Vadas Bakery.
The classics are always there, but they also have limited edition flavours which change every few weeks. I like the hot cross bun flavours! Since they’re just R35 per tart, you can get three for less than R100 and enjoy them as you people-watch at the market.
I always tell yourself that I’ll save them for later, but it never happens.
7. Watch live music at Mojo Market
There’s always a fun vibe at Mojo Market, which is an indoor food market where you can find everything from bagels to oysters to Nasi Goreng. But what makes it even better is that there’s live music there every night at 9 pm!
You’ll definitely be able to find a drink at the bar for under R100, and then you can just sit back, enjoy the atmosphere, and listen to some local talent. I think I paid about R70 for a beer here (with tip).
8. Go Gin Tasting
There are a couple of great places to go gin tasting in Cape Town, and it’s a pretty cheap thing to do.
A gin tasting at Pienaar & Son costs R80 per person, and we got to try seven different spirits! It’s at the Makers Landing market at the V&A Waterfront, and the staff were so nice to us.
If you’re interested in the distillery process, you’ll love this tasting!
9. Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive
Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive is absolutely stunning. The road meanders along the rocky red cliffs, overlooking the ocean. The views are just stunning, and I always pull over several times to snap photos.
The journey begins at Hout Bay Harbour and ends in Noordhoek. I like head to the Aegir Project for a burger and a beer before heading home.
There’s a toll fee or R61 per vehicle, and you’ll need to keep your receipt with you if you want to take the same road back again.
Make sure to check the road status before you go, because it shuts during strong winds due to the risk of falling rock. Oh, and take it slow, because there are 114 bends in this road. So although it’s only 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) long, I’d allow about 25 minutes for this drive.
Thanks so much for reading this blog post! As you can see, you don’t need to spend a ton in Cape Town in order to have a good time. For more affordable activities, check out the following: