Image Source Wikipedia
Cape Town, the Mother City, offers a wide range of activities to do. Whether you’re young or old, a student or a family, a local or a visitor, there’s something for everyone. What many people might not realise though is that you don’t need a lot of cash to enjoy yourself. Here are some fun things you can do in Cape Town for less than R50.
1. Go ice-skating
The Ice Station at the Grandwest Entertainment World is very popular, and affordable. Prices depend on whether you’re going during season or out of season, what time of day you go, and whether or not you’re renting ice skates, but the cost will never be more than R45 for a session. This is also a great place to host a children’s party. The Olympic sized ice rink is situated near a cinema, casino, restaurants and coffee shops, and many other places you might want to spend some time in. You can phone 021 535-2260 for more information.
2. Hike up Lion’s Head during full moon
This is a magical experience you shouldn’t miss. Once a month, hundreds of Capetonians brave the steep hour’s walk up Lion’s Head – the fynbos covered peak between Table Mountain and the ocean. This won’t cost you anything. Just be sure to bring along a torch, as well as a bottle of wine to enjoy at the top while watch the moon rising on the one side, and the sun setting on the other.
3. Visit the Planetarium
Iziko’s popular “theatre of stars”, one of only two planetaria in South Africa, is both entertaining and educational. Situated at the South African Museum building, the planetarium takes you on a journey through the universe, from the comfort of your theatre armchair. The extraordinary audio-visual experience will cost only R40 for adults, and R20 for children, students and pensioners.
4. Enjoy sun, sand and surf at the beach.
One of the amazing things about Cape Town is the variety of nature’s splendours you have to enjoy. Besides mountains and nature reserves, there are also plenty beaches to frolic in. For instance, you could spend the day at Boulders Beach, where the water is warm (thanks to the Indian Ocean), the beaches are white and you share the surf with penguins.
5. Explore the Kirstenbosch gardens
The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are world-famous for ndigenous beauty and diversity. You can wander around for hours around the 528 hectare sprawling gardens, juxtaposed against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. You can also view the onsite art gallery, have cake and coffee at the tea room, or simply bring along a picnic and lazily watch the clouds drift by. The cost is only R42 for adults and R25 for students.
Central Cape Town
6. Go wine tasting at Groot Constantia Wine Cellar and Cellar Tours
Constantia is a beautiful and historical area of the Cape, and wine tasting is the perfect way to enjoy it. A guided tour through the modern cellar includes a wine tasting and lasts for 45 to 60 minutes. To find out more about the tours that are offered throughout the day, email tours@grootconstantia.co.za. The tour costs R40 for adults and R6 for scholars.
Queenie Bates is a freelance writer currently based in Cape Town, where she lives with her partner and beloved Great Danes. Before she moved to her adoptive city, she fell in love with it well vacationing in hotels in Waterfront Cape Town.
