10 free things to do in Cape Town, South Africa

As major world cities go, Cape Town is pretty affordable. Eating out is fairly cheap by European or North American standards, and many of the museums and smaller attractions charge only a modest fee. But if you’re seeking to save a little more, there are ways to experience the art, culture and natural beauty of the Mother City without opening your wallet, leaving you with more rands to spend on local cuisine, souvenirs or supporting one of the many community tourism projects.

The green flanks of Lions Head rise to a pointy, rocky summit, with the blue ocean in the backdrop. The development of Cape Tow laps at the lower edges of Lions head and the ridge running from it © Renee Vititoe / 500px — A panoramic view of Lions Head, Signal Hill, Robben Island and Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain © Renee Vititoe / 500px

1. Hike the Table Mountain range

Most people who arrive in Cape Town whizz to the top of Table Mountain on the cableway, but hiking the slopes is a far better – and cheaper – way to experience the city’s craggy centrepiece. The most popular hike is Platteklip Gorge, a steep, 2.5-hour climb that’s hellish on the knees on the downward leg. But there are trails galore throughout the range, from the gently undulating pipe track to the two-hour walk up to Elephant’s Eye Cave. And for the hike with the best view of Table Mountain, join the throngs plodding up Lion’s Head, a short but steep scramble that involves clinging onto chains and ladders to reach the peak. Never hike alone and ask for local advice on safety as there have been muggings on certain trails.

2. Explore Green Point Urban Park

Whether you’re interested in local flora, keeping fit, picnicking on the lawn or clambering over a jungle gym, Green Point’s park can easily provide a half-day of gratis entertainment. The park was redeveloped when South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and now acts both as a place to cycle, jog and walk as well as an open-air museum, with information plaques detailing the remarkable biodiversity in the Western Cape.

Sitting within a round section of lawn surrounded by a low hedge is a statue of a two-headed hippo-like creature with horns. In the background is the modern building housing the Norval Foundation art museum © Monica Suma / Lonely Planet — The Norval Foundation contains many works within its walls, but also outside in its sculpture garden © Monica Suma / Lonely Planet

3. Visit the Norval Foundation

Normally, this privately-owned contemporary art gallery is one of the city’s pricier attractions, but on Tuesdays entrance to the exhibition spaces and sculpture garden is free. The large, rather austere building houses several galleries showcasing rotating exhibitions from African artists. The garden is a marvellous place to wander, where wetland birds and rambling indigenous plants meet incongruous statues bursting out of the ground.

Under a deep blue sky and sitting atop a white sand beach is a line of closely-spaced beach huts. The colours of each is different, some bright yellow, others red, blue or green © Ariadna22822 / Shutterstock — Muizenberg's brightly coloured beach huts on the Atlantic ocean © Ariadna22822 / Shutterstock

4. Meander from Muizenberg

Following a decade-long regeneration project, Muizenberg’s beachfront is now a place to embrace rather than avoid. Once you’ve taken in the restaurants, surf shops and Victorian bathing huts, follow the meandering pathway as it hugs the coast for 10 marvellous kilometres. Stop to paddle in the tidal pools at St James, browse the antique shops on Kalk Bay’s Main Road and end with a dip in the ocean at Fish Hoek’s lovely white sand beach.

A series of row houses and front walls, each a bright pastel shade of pink, green, orange, yellow and red, flank either side of the street © Nicky Classen / Lonely Planet © espiegle / Getty Images — The colourful architecture of Bo-Kaap © espiegle / Getty Images

5. Enjoy the architecture

There is plenty to see in central Cape Town if architecture is your passion. Top of most lists are the iconic houses of the Bo-Kaap, whose residents are used to having their colourful homes photographed. A short walk away are the art deco facades edging Greenmarket Square, which is always buzzing with activity thanks to the craft market held daily there. A few blocks southeast you’ll find the Edwardian City Hall overlooking frenetic Grand Parade. From here it’s a two minute stroll to the city’s oldest building, the Castle of Good Hope, constructed in the late 17th century.

Beneath some Art Deco 10-storey buildings is the tree-filled Greenmarket Square. Between the trees are numerous stall with colourful cloth coverings © Ariadne Van Zandbergen / Lonely Planet — Worth a stroll, the leaf-covered market in Greenmarket Square © Ariadne Van Zandbergen / Lonely Planet

6. Take a walking tour

Various companies offer free walking tours of the city. Some tours take in well-known sights like Greenmarket Square, Company’s Gardens, Bo Kaap and Grand Parade; others offer a different view of the city, such as the Taste of Cape Town tour, which samples traditional snacks and visits galleries and street performers. Although the tours are billed as free, a tip for the guide is expected.

7. Visit parliament

South Africa’s recent political history is as fascinating as it is tumultuous, and the free tour of parliament sheds light on some of these local stories as well as offering insight into how the country’s parliamentary system operates. Once the tour is done, be sure to admire the 19th-century building from outside, with its neoclassical facade and oft-photographed bust of Nelson Mandela. Tours take place on weekdays only and must be booked in advance. Be sure to bring your passport in order to enter the parliament building.

With Table Mountain as a backdrop, four bronze statues stand side-by-side in front of the V&A Waterfront and a flagpole with the South African flag. — Statues of South Africa's four Nobel laureates in V&A Waterfront's Nobel Square © Simon Richmond / Lonely Planet

8. Get on board at Nelson Mandela Gateway

Situated at V&A Waterfront, the Nelson Mandela Gateway is the launching point for ferries to Robben Island. If you’re saving cash, lacking in sea legs or your trip has been curtailed by the weather, the free-to-enter visitor centre is worth a peek. Here you’ll find information panels giving insight into the struggle against apartheid, with a particular focus, of course, on Nelson Mandela.

The paved promenade, backed by lawns and high-rise apartment blocks, meanders along the rocky shore of Sea Point © michaeljung / Shutterstock — Sea Point Promenade meanders north towards the peak of Lions Head © michaeljung / Shutterstock

9. Stroll along Sea Point Promenade

On warm evenings, the wide promenade edging the Atlantic Ocean is alive with dog-walkers, skateboarders, sun-gazers and kite-fliers. If the ocean views aren’t reason enough to visit, there are intriguing art installations, open air gymnasiums and plenty of places for kids to play. When the thermals are right, this is also the landing spot for paragliders leaping off Lion’s Head.

Beneath a backdrop of Table Mountain is Company's Garden, a manicured lawn with paved paths, monuments and the South African Museum © Ariadne Van Zandbergen / Lonely Planet — Company's Gardens, Deville Wood Memorial and South African Museum © Ariadne Van Zandbergen / Lonely Planet

10. Wandering Company’s Garden

Cape Town has many magnificent, free-to-enter public parks and gardens, but this one is the oldest and by far the most popular. In the 17th century the Company’s Garden functioned as a veggie patch for the Dutch East India Company, and a small produce garden now commemorates the original purpose. Elsewhere there is an aviary, rose garden, small info centre, some grand monuments, and countless squirrels. Edging the park is a selection of museums, galleries and the striking parliament buildings.

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