Budget-Friendly Ways To Enjoy Cape Town

Visiting Cape Town can be a wonderful way to enjoy one of the most culturally rich places on earth. Although, you might be worried about pinching your pennies and staying within budget on your trip. Even if you are trying to limit your expenses while visiting this gorgeous city, that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your experience. There are many budget-friendly ways to get the most out of your stay in the capital. 

Enjoy The Outdoors

Enjoying the outdoors is a budget-friendly activity, and you can see the great natural views that coastal South Africa has to offer. Thankfully the city is directly adjacent to the Table Mountain National Park, which offers a unique amount of biodiversity, and views that can’t be experienced anywhere else. In the southern part of the park you might even see baboons, although it’s recommended not to feed them. There are plenty of hiking trails around the area, with most having no cost, or requiring a minimal pass fee. The Krom River Hiking Trail leads to a waterfall along its route, but the trail itself is not for the faint of heart. There are numerous outdoor activities to do in Cape Town and the vibrant sights to see that you won’t soon forget. 

Stay In A Villa

Sometimes you can find a good deal on a hotel when you’re planning a trip to the city, but is that really the true experience of this city, or is it the tourist version? According to the villa professionals of Cape Town Villas you still get accommodations usually expected only from hotels. Depending on the type of stay you want to have, and your personal budget, you could consider staying in a one-bedroom apartment or something larger. You’ll be able to stay in the suburbs of the city, and you won’t feel like an out of place tourist. 

Visiting Robben Island

Robben Island is most notorious for being the location where Nelson Mandela spent nearly two decades imprisoned for his activism against apartheid. It’s regarded as both a world heritage site, as well as a national heritage site due to its historic importance to developing equality in South Africa. If you’re spending time visiting this nation, it might be good to appreciate the history behind its development, and it’s a relatively inexpensive journey to take. There are generally 3 tours a day, and they take several hours, but the condition of the ocean may not permit ferry travel. If you’ve run out of items to do on your itinerary, or you’re looking to see the location that held the famous Mandela, it should definitely be on your to-do list. 

Eat Local Food

The best way to save some cash while visiting the capital is by trying some of the local food. You’ll be able to try unique delicacies like the sweet doughy Koeksisters, or more creative dishes like bunny chow (a large size of bread hollowed out and filled with local curry). Eating at local restaurants means you’re not going to deal with the price gouging of more commercial businesses. If you’re wondering where any of these locations are, you can always try asking the locals, see if the market has any of these foods available, or check some online resources. 

Participate In The Culture

South Africa has a rich culture, and it would be a shame to visit this country and not participate in it. It has the added benefit of being budget-friendly and won’t break your bank account. There are tons of music festivals that go on in January, March, May, and June, but there are also local concerts playing through the year. If movies are your thing instead, you might visit the Labia Theatre to see if any local independent films are playing while having a drink. Or you may think about visiting the District 6 Museum in order to fully appreciate the apartheid experience during this time. If you do want to experience the rich historical culture of South Africa, the locals will probably love to point you in the direction of some “must visit” locations. 

A visit to Cape Town doesn’t mean you need to empty out your savings, and after visiting once, you’re likely to want to visit again. Travelling on a budget can be a boon because you’re more creative and more likely to see the city through a locals eyes. To help you stay on budget, plan your itinerary ahead of time and include all expenses so you won’t be blindsided on your journey. I’m sure both you and your bank account are going to enjoy your stay while you’re there.