7 Romantic Weekend Getaways in South Africa
With the endless rat race in the city, times are tough for those who want...
9 April 2024 
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Looking for fun things to do in Cape Town under R200? You’re actually spoiled for choice. Cape Town is one of the world’s most beautiful cities and travellers come from all around to experience the mountain, coastline, and culture.
Here at Drive South Africa, we’ve put together a list of 10 fun things to do in Cape Town. Best of all, none of them will cost you more than R200 per person, and if you rent a car with us, you’ll be able to do them all. Read on to learn more about these affordable escapades in the Cape.
When you visit the penguins at Boulders Beach, make sure to keep your distance
Where? Simons Town
How much? R45 (SA residents), R95 (SADC nationals), R190 (international citizens)
Boulders Beach near Simons Town is home to one of the few African penguin breeding colonies in the world. It’s part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, and for good reason. Since 2010, the African penguin has been classified as endangered and the population has plummeted from 150,000 breeding pairs to fewer than 30,000.
By visiting Boulders Beach, you’re contributing to the protection of this unique and threatened species, as long as you follow the rules. Many visitors are guilty of getting way too close to these wild seabirds, disrupting their natural lives. When you visit Boulders, forget the close-up selfie and watch the penguins from a respectable distance. Better yet, pack your swimming costume and spend some time exploring the beach.
The Sea Point Pavillion swimming pools
Where? Sea Point
How much? R99 for one hour, R150 for two, R200 for three
These days, Sea Point is a hub of fun activities and world-class restaurants and markets. However, it hasn’t lost any of its seaside charm, and the best way to explore the Atlantic Seaboard is on a rental bicycle. Up Cycles offers Dutch-style, single speed, back pedal city bikes that are perfect for navigating the long, flat promenade. You can cycle from the Sea Point Pavillion to the V&A Waterfront in a matter of minutes or head in the other direction and drop your bike in Camps Bay.
This is also the safest place to ride a bicycle in Cape Town and Up Cycles even offers kids bikes and child carriers at this branch. While you’re at it, pop in at the Mojo Market in Sea Point for lunch.
One of the lighthouses at Cape Point
Where? Cape of Good Hope Section, Table Mountain National Park
How much? R100 (SA residents), R200 (SADC nationals), R400 (international citizens)
Cape Point is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Africa. The nature reserve showcases the incredible diversity of the Cape Floristic Kingdom and shelters animals like zebra, eland, red hartebeest, and bontebok. It’s also home to some spectacular beaches surrounded by sheer cliffs. Just make sure you keep an eye on the local chacma baboons as they can be a handfull.
While you can walk up the winding pathway to get to the Cape Point viewpoint, you can also buy a ticket for the Flying Dutchman funicular, which takes you all the way to the top. From here, you can enjoy incredible views of the Cape Peninsula and see exactly why Sit Francis Drake dubbed it “the fairest cape in all the world”.
The Boomslang walkway at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Where? Newlands
How much? R100 (SA residents and SADC nationals), R220 (international citizens)
Cape Town is lucky to have one of the finest botanical gardens in the world. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden celebrates the remarkable diversity of plant life in South Africa, spanning 528 hectares of Table Mountain’s eastern slopes. Harold Pearson established the garden in 1913 and set about transforming the neglected landscape into a world-class collection of South African flora.
Notable sections include the Kay Bergh Bulb House, Fynbos Walk, and the Protea Garden, which attracts an incredible array of birdlife in spring. You can also explore the Arboretum’s treetops on the Boomslang Canopy Walkway, a stunning example of low-maintenance, low-impact engineering. Kirstenbosch also has dozens of lawn areas where you can lay down your blanket and enjoy a picnic. If you’d rather sit at a restaurant, you can try MOYO or the Kirstenbosch Tea Room.
The Old Biscuit Mill in Cape Town
Where? Woodstock
How much? Entry is free
The Old Biscuit Mill is a beautifully-preserved example of old Capetonian industrial architecture. Today, it features several boutique stores and high-end restaurants, including the world-renowned The Test Kitchen. Each Saturday and Sunday, the mill welcomes visitors to the Neigbourgoods Market, offering up local fashion, art, and culinary delights ranging from authentic African meals to Vietnamese delicacies.
There’s also a live DJ and a well-stocked bar, so you could easily spend the entire day browsing around. Make sure you visit Espresso Lab for some of the best specialty coffee in the Mother City.
People get ready to go kayaking at the V&A Waterfront
Where? V&A Waterfront, Green Point
How much? R200 per person and up
Cape Town’s coastline isn’t just pretty to look at. It’s also a thriving biodiversity hotspot where you can see dolphins, whales, Cape fur seals, and sharks up close. In fact, if you go on a kayak tour, you might be lucky enough to get right up to the action. Several tour operators offer kayaking adventures in Table Bay, with many departing from the V&A Waterfront. Some even offer night tours, enabling you to see the city lights from a whole new perspective.
Recently, visitors have even seen orcas and ocean sunfish on these tours, but it all comes down to the luck of the draw. You’ll never know until you try, though, and with so much coastline to explore, you’re guaranteed a memorable Cape Town experience.
People strap in to the Sky-Hi Ride
Where? Hotel Sky, Cape Town CBD
How much? R50 to R200 per person
Hotel Sky’s Sky-Hi Ride is one of Cape Town’s newest activities, giving you the thrill of a lifetime as you free fall at up to 100 km/h on the 28th floor. The ride rises high above the city skyline, giving you unparalleled views of the City Bowl and its impressive skyscrapers. Don’t stress about safety, either, because the operator observes strict health and safety protocols at all times. However, you’ll need to keep an eye on the weather before you visit.
The ride is one of just three of its kind in the world and the first in Africa, making this a fun thing to do in Cape Town that you really don’t want to miss. Be warned: the ride generates up to 4 Gs of force, so it’s not for the faint-hearted.
The view from atop Lion’s Head
Where? Tamboerskloof
How much? Free
Lion’s Head is arguably Cape Town’s most popular hike for locals and tourists alike. It’s moderately challenging and features sections with chain ropes and steel ladders, but many people jog up the mountain in under an hour. From the top, you get a 360° view of the Mother City, with particularly spectacular views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Seaboard. Trust us: the hike is worthwhile for the Instagram posts alone.
Many hikers gather here for regular full moon hikes, lighting Lion’s Head up with torches. The trail is also dog-friendly, but mountain biking isn’t allowed. Remember to stay safe: stick to the path and never hike alone.
The iconic sign outside the Labia Theatre
Where? Gardens
How much? From R90 per ticket
The Labia Theatre is the oldest independent art-repertory cinema in South Africa and is a bonafide Cape Town institution. Where else can you watch a movie with a cold beer or a glass of wine? The Labia Theater regularly screens both new and old movies, ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to foreign-language masterpieces. You can also purchase Movie Meal Specials for Two and combine a movie experience with a meal at one of several nearby restaurants.
The theatre has been going strong for 65 years and if Capetonians have their way, it’ll remain a cornerstone of the local art scene for decades to come.
The Norval Foundation facility in Steenberg
Where? Steenberg
How much? From R100 (free for children under 18)
Situated in Steenberg, near Constantia’s wine farms, the Norval Foundation aims to make art widely available to the public through its self-sustaining centre for art. It’s specifically dedicated to “the research, understanding and care of twentieth and twenty-first century visual art from Africa and its diasporas”. In addition to its galleries, it also features a spectacular sculpture garden set on the mountain slopes. In fact, the foundation is also the custodian of a nearby natural wetland.
When you’re done browsing the art galleries, you can enjoy a picnic catered by Vovo Telo. Each Thursday, you can also join a free Weekly Walkabout tour through the current exhibitions.
The Cape Town city skyline
Unless you plan to stick to the City Bowl, we highly recommend car rental in Cape Town to make the most of your time in the Mother City. Beyond these 10 experiences, you should make time to visit the Cape Winelands and beyond. Sadly, you can’t rely on public transport in Cape Town, so it’s best to hire a car.
Drive South Africa also offers 4×4 rental in South Africa and luxury car hire in Cape Town and beyond. For more information, speak to one of our expert agents today.
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