A tranquil scene in the Company Gardens, situated in the heart of Cape Town next to the parliament precinct. (Image: City of Cape Town)
As I’m in the process of planning (and paying!) for my wedding, I find myself unusually broke most times of the month these days. Resultantly, I have found tons of things to do in Cape Town that costs nothing and simply have these share them.
Cape Town offers loads of outdoor activities with the beautiful Table Mountain (just been confirmed as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature!) in our back garden, the beach and forests in such close proximity.
Here are some of my favourites:
Seapoint Promenade is a popular meeting place for Capetonians. For the fitter amongst you, it’s the perfect place for a sunset run, power walk or workout at the outdoor gym. For everyone else, a walk in the fresh air and an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful views from the promenade is a great early evening out! A walk in the mountain or one of the beautiful natural forests in Cape Town is a treat! Table Mountain and Lion’s Head offers a number of really beautiful walks, ranging from easy to difficult. You can enjoy a picnic on top of Table Mountain or a full moon hike up to the top of Lion’s Head.
Newlands Forest is a quick 10-15 minute drive from the centre of town and offers a beautiful, safe forest with plenty parking and beautiful freshwater streams coming down the mountain. There are lots of runners, walkers with dogs and children during summer and on weekends. Cecilia Forest and Constantia Neck are a little bit further from town but also offer beautiful settings for enjoyable, safe walks with your family or doggies.
Perhaps you prefer a more leisurely stroll? The Company’s Garden includes beautifully landscaped gardens that are one of the oldest in Cape Town. Watch out for the squirrels, they are so cheeky and tame; they might very well climb onto your lap!
Cape Town, Western Cape province: The Victoria and Albert Waterfront is a shopping and entertainment complex set in a working harbour. Photo: Mary Alexander, MediaClubSouthAfrica.com
During the summer months, the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre offer free music concerts; check the dates at one of their tourism information booths. De Waal Park in Gardens/Oranjezicht offer free concerts every second Sunday during summer – nothing better than taking a picnic, sitting under the trees with a glass of bubbly and listening to some chilled Sunday vibes as the sun slowly sets.
The City Bowl Market in Hope Street and the Neighbourgoods Market at the Biscuit Mill, Woodstock are two of the best Saturday markets in the city. Further out, there are the Hout Bay market and the Blue Bird Garage market in Muizenberg – all offering plenty of food and drinks to sample (and hopefully tobuy!). In addition, it’s a great place to pick up a reasonably priced breakfast in a social, local setting.
Free wine tastings at:
– Wine Concepts (Kloof street) daily
– Brewers & Union on Thursday nights (remember to book first)
– Tjing Tjing from 5pm onwards on Wednesdays plus meet the winemakers!
– Don’t forget the numerous wine farms where you can enjoy a free wine tasting and a walk around the beautiful manor houses and wine estates – visit Buitenverwachting, Steenberg Vineyards, Uitsig and many others for a taste of the Cape!
Cape Town, Western Cape province: A view of Table Mountain from the ferry to Robben Island. Photo: Mary Alexander, MediaClubSouthAfrica.com
Entrance to many of Cape Town’s museums is free on public holidays:
The South African Museum is situated across from the Company’s Gardens and features an exhibit of the indigenous peoples of SA and interesting artifacts in human and natural sciences.
To learn more about the history of Bo-Kaap and Islam in Cape Town, you should visit the Bo-Kaap museum. The houses, shops and mosques in the area are painted in beautiful, bright colours and makes for a visually stimulating walk around this neighborhood.
The Holocaust Centre in Hatfield Street pays tribute to the Holocaust victims and draws comparison to the wrongs of apartheid in South Africa.
Aside from the visual entertainment at Greenmarket Square, the Old Town House was Cape Town’s first public building. It is now houses the one of the most significant collections of Dutch paintings outside Europe and North America (Michaelis Collection) as an art museum. There are many more museums and galleries in Cape Town – visit the tourism centre in Burg street for more detailed information.
Enjoy!