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Top 10 Free Things To Do In Cape Town

Top 10 Free Things To Do In Cape Town

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There is no reason that budget should get in the way of you doing something good for your mind and body. These 10 things to do in Cape Town are absolutely free.

Sources: NLSA.ac.za, NationalGeographic.com, CapeTownMagazine.com, TripAdvisor.com, ShimanSkyTours.com, Saao.ac.za

getaway.co.za
getaway.co.za

1. Hiking

There’s no shortage of good hiking trails around Cape Town. Whether you want a casual stroll with the family or a rigorous hike, pack a picnic and enjoy the unique flora, fauna, and physical exercise. Here are some of the top picks:

  • Lion’s Head (Easy)
  • Table Mountain (Varying difficulties)
  • Chapman’s Peak (Intermediate)
  • Pipe Track (Intermediate)
  • Cape Point (Difficult)
capetownmagazine.com
capetownmagazine.com

2. Moonlight Mass Cycle

The Moonlight Mass Cycle is a bike ride that starts at the Green Point Circle on the full moon each month. The ride is casual, so don’t worry if you aren’t the best of shape!  Best of all — it’s free. You can find out here when the next ride is.

capetownmagazine.com
capetownmagazine.com

3. Free Wine Tastings

Wine tours are pricey, but you can go to a wine tasting without having to spend a rand. Wine Concepts on Kloof Street, Cape Town, offers free wine tastings daily.  You can also get free tastings from Steenberg Vineyards, Constantia Uitsig, and Buitenverwachting wine farm in Constantia.

capetownmagazine.com
capetownmagazine.com

4. Gallery Hopping

Except on certain public holidays, you have to pay an entrance fee to visit Cape Town’s art museums. However, it is always free to visit the many art galleries in Cape Town. Some of the top galleries worth visiting include Everard Read, What If the World Gallery, the AVA, and Michael Stevenson.

capetownmagazine.com
capetownmagazine.com

5. Diamond Tour

Whether you are looking for a place to take a date or the family, the Shimansky Diamond Tour is a good pick. You will learn about how diamonds were formed 3.3 billion years ago and how they are mined, cut, and graded. The tour is free, though you might be tempted to buy a pricy rock. Tours operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

saao.ac.za
saao.ac.za

6. Free Days at Museums

Some Cape Town museums are always free, like the Cape Medical Museum and the Cape Town Holocaust Centre. Other Cape Town museums have free days. We recommend going open nights at the South African Astronomical Observatory headquarters the second and fourth Saturday each month. For no cost, you get a talk, a tour of the grounds, and get to gaze at the stars.  They also sometimes lead hikes up to Lion’s Head for stargazing.

wikipedia.org
wikipedia.org

7. Noon Gun

One of the most popular and free attractions in Cape Town is going up to the top of Signal Hill to hear the noon gun. Not only will you get a chance to exercise and reacquaint yourself with history, you might also meet some interesting tourists who also came to hear the gun.

capetownmagazine.com
capetownmagazine.com

8. Creative Coffee Mornings

Creative Mornings is a group found in several South African cities, including Cape Town.  Once a month on a Friday morning, they get together for insightful talks led by a creative speaker. There are free snacks though you will be expected to buy a coffee. This is your only cost for the event. You can find out more on their website: creativemornings.com

tripadvisor.com
tripadvisor.com

9.  Feeding Squirrels in Company Gardens

Whether you are an adult or child, feeding the squirrels at Company Gardens never gets old. Bring a picnic and remember to pack some nuts for the furry critters.

wikimedia.org
wikimedia.org

10. Centre for the Book

Centre for the Book is a unit of the National Library of South Africa.  It frequently holds free events such as poetry readings and workshops to promote culture, reading, writing, and publishing in local languages. You can visit their Facebook page to get news about upcoming events.