Budget

There is so much to see and do in Cape Town – even if you're travelling on a shoestring.

Cape Town is a favourite destination for backpackers and independent travellers, and there’s lots of accommodation going for a steal, even more so in the "Green Season" (winter in Cape Town, summer in Europe). There are a number of top-rate backpacker lodges in the city centre, but it’s also a good idea to move along to lodges close to the ocean such as in the suburbs of Blaauwberg, Simon's Town and Camps Bay.

If you’re looking for something quirky, then book a night at the now famous Daddy Long Legs Art Hotel (+27 21 422 3074; www.daddylonglegs.co.za). Each room has been individually decorated by an artist, poet or musician and the rooms are downright zany. The lastest accommodation by the same team is the Daddy Cool Hotel (also on Long Street) where you can sleep in one of seven authentic Airstream caravan on the hotel's roof! Contact us to book.

There are plenty of bed & breakfasts in and around the Mother City and self-catering apartments such as Mandela Rhodes Place are also popular. If you’re feeling adventurous why not hire a camper van and enjoy the freedom of the open road?

Self-catering on the scenic Hoeriekwaggo Trail is popular. Don’t forget that City Parks and various nature reserves also offer camping options for budget travellers. Why not stay over at the Helderberg Nature Reserve; the Kogelberg Nature Reserve or the Rondevlei Nature Reserve?

Visit our Accommodation Database to find options in your budget.

For entrance into the Table Mountain National Park, remember to purchase your Wild Card for special discounts (www.sanparks.org).

Cape Town Tourism makes South African National Parks reservations for accommodation in the parks across the country and can make bookings for any Cape Nature reserve. Call us on 021 487 6800 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

When it comes to leisure time, you don’t have to spend much to enjoy the Fairest Cape. Cape Town is sunny, especially during the summer months, so head to the fantastic beaches – and there are so many to choose from including Clifton, Camps Bay and Muizenberg, to mention a few. Remember that surfing and whale-watching come free of charge.

Head up to Signal Hill for gorgeous views of the city and Table Bay. Pay your respects at the Noon Gun and if you're feeling energetic, walk up Lion’s Head for even more gorgeous views. A trip to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is inexpensive, and you can spend the better part of a day there, looking at some of the 22000 plants and trees it is home to, or simply reading a book on the lawn. Kirstenbosch is also a great place for picnics and there is a free walking tour daily at 10am.

Spend an entertaining day window shopping or people watching and you needn’t spend a cent. You might want to take a 30-minute tour of the V&A Waterfront harbour, which you'll be able to do for about R50.

Cape Town’s markets are another great space to browse, a favourite being Greenmarket Square. There are also a number of factory shops surrounding Cape Town where you can pick up bargains for next to nothing.

Stroll through the leafy Company Gardens in the heart of the city – old and young will enjoy watching the cheeky squirrels. Go past the South African Library (or go in and peruse an old newspaper from a century or more ago, at no charge), then head towards De Tuynhuys, the official office of South Africa’s president.

The Castle of Good Hope is South Africa’s oldest building, dating to 1679 and is well worth a visit. There are daily tours including trips to the dungeons and prison cells. Another iconic building, City Hall, is within easy walking distance. Who can forget Nelson Mandela’s first speech from the balcony of City Hall in 1990 when 100000 people gathered to hear the great man speak after being imprisoned for 27 years?

Hiking is a popular past-time in Cape Town. There are a number of routes available on and around Table Mountain, or you can take part in full-day guided hikes. Contact Cape Town Tourism (+27 21 487 6800, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).for further advice on booking a guide or planning a hike.

Hiring a bicycle to get around is another option, cycle around Masiphumelele and get to know a little more about life in Cape Town’s townships. If you’re feeling energetic head off on a longish walk across Noordhoek beach and beyond to Kommetjie. A hike up the scenic Chapman’s Peak is another option, though you'll need to be fairly fit.

For a bit of rest and recreation, visit any of the 3 Cape Town Wine Routes - Helderberg, Durbanville and Constantia and go on a wine-tasting tour (generally pretty reasonable).

The Bo-Kaap area is another lovely place to walk around. Take a photographic safari in this part of the world with its pastel-coloured buildings and quaint city streets. Visit the old mosques and pop into the local museum; the entrance fee is minimal.

Cape Town is home to several museums worth visiting and that won’t break the bank – try out the District Six Museum (www.districtsix.co.za); The Gold of Africa Museum (www.goldofafrica.com) as well as the Holocaust Exhibition at the Holocaust Centre near Parliament, which is free of charge.

The South African Museum and Planetarium, housed in nearby buildings, are a must. The entrance fee is next to nothing and the museum displays exhibitions of traditional arts and crafts as well as natural history displays (www.museums.org.za/sam). The Planetarium hosts weekly talks on what's happening in the southern skies.

For music lovers, hang out at the Waterfront for free live performances, and/or spend time at Kirstenbosch for the summer concerts.  The Cape Town Jazz Festival is another event worth saving up for and also holds a free concert in Greenmarket Square.

Cape Town is also a fantastic wedding and honeymoon destination for travellers with limited resources. You’ve got the mountains, the beaches, the history and culture, the fantastic cuisine and a number of spectacular venues. Stay on a bit for the honeymoon of a lifetime …

Please Contact us to find out more about budget accommodation, tours and experiences, getting around, top attractions, restaurants and more.

If you need further information or would like to speak to a friendly consultant, please call us on +27 21 487 6800 or email us on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Our friendly team is waiting to help.