If only we could have a limitless budget to explore the Mother City! Until we figure out how to do this, we’ll have to keep an eye on our budgets. We’ve hunted down a few fun things that you can indulge in, without feeling guilty about your spending.

#1 Catch a Comedy Show at The Cape Town Comedy Club

Situated in the Pump House at the V&A Waterfront, you can get your dose of endorphins from top South African comedians including Alyn Adams, Nik Rabinowitz, and Dave Levinsohn. While you are enjoying the laughs, you can also order some food.

Tickets to weekday shows (Wednesday or Thursday) cost R95 and Sunday night shows are R60.

Visit capetowncomedy.com for more information.

#2 Have a Meaty Township Lunch at Mzoli’s

This unique culinary experience is situated in Gugulethu. So before you head over, remind yourself to not expect a flashy fine dining outing. In fact, there won’t even be knives and forks on the tables. And no waiters at your beck and call. It’s a down to earth authentically local experience. You can buy your beer or wine at the bottle store across the road before heading over to the butchery to select your braai meat. After you’ve selected your meat, head over to the braai grids, and wait for your freshly braai’d meat.

You determine the price of your meal. The average prices range from R89 per kilogram for the mutton chops and R60 per kilogram for the boerewors. And their homemade bread is a must, R10 per slice.

Visit the Mzoli’s Facebook page to stay in the loop with upcoming events.

#3 Catch a Movie under the Stars

The age of drive-in theatres are now a thing of the past, but the Galileo Open Air Cinema has put a fresh spin on outdoor movies. Imagine watching a movie at a wine farm. Or in Kirstenbosch Gardens! Other venues include the V&A Waterfront rooftop, Hillcrest Quarry in Durbanville, and various wine estates in Stellenbosch and Somerset West. They screen old classics and new blockbusters. Screenings are scheduled throughout the week during the summer months, from October to April. They also offer picnic baskets and there are food stalls as well.

Online bookings: a standard ticket costs R70 | Warm ticket with blanket included R79 | Comfy ticket with chair included R88 | Warm & comfy ticket with chair and blanket included R95

Visit thegalileo.co.za for more information.

#4 Have a Beer at Perseverance Tavern

It’s not every day that you get to sip a beer at the oldest surviving pub in the country. The Perseverance Tavern poured its first beer in 1808 and has remained operational ever since. For 28 years it went under the radar and only became an official pub with a liquor licence in 1836. In the beginning it also operated as a hotel. Surviving for more than 200 years is a feat to be cheersed with a beer!

You can buy a beer from R20.

Visit perseverancetavern.co.za for more information.

#5 Enjoy Theatrical Dining

This restaurant puts a new spin on “dinner and a show”. Your waitron will surprise you with their hidden talents. During the evening the waitrons spontaneously jump on stage and transform into a glitzy entertainer, wooing you with their sultry voices. If you are brave enough, and you know the lyrics, you can join them on stage! It’s a great way for students from the art schools around Cape Town to practice their performance skills, while saving money towards their studies.

You can determine your budget for the night, whether you simply want to pop in for a quick drink, or stay for a scrumptious meal.

Visit stardustcapetown.com  for more information.

#6 Visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Photo by Leo Moko on Unsplash

A visit to this world-renowned botanical garden is a must! Nestled against the slopes of Table Mountain on the Southern suburbs side, it feels like a little tropical forest in the city. The gardens cover five out of the six South African biomes. It was founded in 1913 with the main purpose of preserving and showcasing the country’s unique flora. Make sure you take a stroll to the top of the gardens and walk on the Boomslang walkway.

Entrance fees: R70 (adults) | R40 (students with valid SA card) | R20 (children 6 to 17 years) | Children under 6 have free access.

Visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens website for more information.

#7 Visit the Springbok Experience Rugby Museum at the V&A Waterfront

The museum opened in 2013 and has been bestowed with many international accolades. It offers an interactive experience of the South African rugby history. View the largest collection of Springbok memorabilia in the world! You can admire the Springbok jacket of Paul Roos, the original Springbok Captain, and listen to audio recordings of classic games.

Entrance fees: R75 (Adults) | R50 (Pensioners over 60 | R50 (students with valid SA card) | R50 (children 6 to 18 years) | Children under 5 have free access.

Visit sarugby.co.za  for more information.

#8 Visit the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA)

Another world-first in the city, a museum solely dedicated to contemporary African art. And the housing of the artwork is a masterpiece in itself. The old grain silo dates back to 1921. Thomas Heatherwick was the mastermind behind the conversion of the silo. Read the TimesLive interview with the innovative architect. There are a 100 gallery spaces to explore, so make sure you set aside enough time to admire the unique collections.

You can enter for free on Wednesdays between 10 AM and 1 PM (only for African citizens with a valid ID/Passport/Driver’s Licence); on Museum Night and Heritage Day (24 September) between 10 AM and 6 PM.

Alternatively, pay half-price (R95) on the first Friday of every month between 4 PM and 9 PM

Visit www.zeitzmocaa.museum for more information

#9 Explore the City on a Bicycle

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Have you every explored this beautiful city with @upcycles before? Tag a friend who needs to experience this. Comment below⁣ ⁣ Follow @secretcapetown for more and tag us or use #secretcapetown to be featured.⁣ ⁣ Photo by @katiamua2⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #bicyclesofcapetown #bicyclelifestyle #upcycles #capetown #cityofcapetown #amazingcapetown #seecapetown #visitcapetown #thisiscapetown #ig_capetown #pictureperfect #southafricaza #visitsouthafrica #africa #ig_southafrica #thisisafrica #capetownmag #instagramcapetown #weheartsa #capetowntourism #westerncape #capetownsouthafrica #meetcapetown #capetownetc #thisisafrica #southafrica #capetowntravel #explorecapetown #bicycle

A post shared by Secret Cape Town Spots (@secretcapetown) on Mar 14, 2019 at 10:00pm PDT

There’s just something about getting on a bicycle that reconnects you with your adventurous side. This is a nifty way to explore the city from a unique perspective. The UpCycles bikes are classic Dutch-style, single speed bikes, with back pedal brakes (important thing to know, so you don’t panic when you can’t find the brakes!) Their upright shape and sprung saddles will keep you comfy while you admire the city views. They also have bikes with child seats. They also offer more advanced mountain bikes, aluminium road bikes and pedal assist ebikes (on request for pre-booking). Their drop-and-go stations are located at The Pavilion on the Sea Point Promenade, Breakaway Café (Waterkant Street Fan Walk), Silo 5 (V&A Waterfront Silo District), and Camps Bay (Bay Hotel). You can hire the bike at one station, and return it at another.

Bike hire: one hour costs R75 or two hours for R110 (if you want to go a little over your cheapie budget)

Visit upcycles.co.za for more information

Another option is to go for a guided bicycle tour around the city, but this will cost more than R100.

#10 Swim at the Long Street Baths

The Long Street Baths date back to 1908, a true historic gem. Although the interior has been upgraded, the original look is preserved. It has a 25m indoor heated pool that’s perfect for a quick morning or lunchtime workout session. The Turkish bath section has specific times dedicated to men and women. Tuesdays from 10:00 to 14:00 are exclusively for the ladies.

Turkish baths entrance R64 per hour or R120 per 4 hour session
Indoor pools entrance R23 (Adults) | R12 (Children) | free for pensioners
Hot baths/showers entrance R19 (Adults) | R19 (Children) | R19 (Pensioners)

Visit capetown.gov.za for more information.

Read about all the amazing public pools in Cape Town here. If you are up for more adventure explore Cape Town’s 19 tidal pools.

Share the Cheapie Fun with Secret Cape Town

Remember to share your epic Instagram pics with us! Tag @secretcapetown or use #secretcapetown to be featured with our #guesswhere.

When exploring Cape Town, it’s easy to get stuck on the major tourist attractions. Table Mountain, the aquarium, Boulder’s Beach, Robben Island. And although you will definitely not be disappointed when visiting the iconic tourist attractions, if you stay in the Mother City, you might feel the need to spice things up a bit.

Dig A Bit Deeper into The Mother City Fun

We’ve found a few alternative activities to enjoy. From foodie fun, to outdoor activities, to learning new skills. Cape Town truly has something to offer every type of person.

#1 Tuning the Vine – Inner City Wine Route

You don’t have travel all the way to the Stellenbosch winelands to taste good wine. Now you can simply venture into the CBD and embark on an inner-city wining adventure. The route meanders between 13 venues, each offering you a snippet of their best wine selections. Meander from Tjing Tjing Torii, to Publik Wine Bar, to House of Machines and other distinguished venues tucked away in the city centre. The event occurs once a month, at R150 per person. Your wine tasting will be infused with wine-tasting challenges, food pairings, and live music. The ticket includes access to the various venues, a glass, and a tasting map.

Visit tuningthevine.co.za to stay in the loop.

#2 Visit the R10 Restaurant

Photo by elle.co.za

The Xpresso Café believes that good coffee (and tea) should be affordable. And a cup of good coffee (or tea) should be accompanied by a yummy munchie, also at an affordable price. So, they decided to make everything on their menu, yes you heard right everything, only R10. The concept keeps things plain and simple, but delicious. They are open Mondays to Fridays from 7am to 6pm, on Saturdays from 7am to 4pm and Sundays from 8am to 1pm.

They have branches in Durbanville, Canal Walk, Cape Town CBD, Cape Gate, Stellenbosch, N1 City, Vangate Mall, and Table Bay Mall.

#3 Life-size Chess in The Company Gardens

Photo by eatout.co.za

Feel like you’ve fallen down Alice’s rabbit hole and pretend you are part of a Wonderland scene with this oversized chess set. It’s situated close to the Company Gardens Restaurant. If you feel a bit tired after dragging the big pieces around, pop in at the restaurant for a refreshing beverage. It was recently revamped by the Madam Zingara group, breathing a breath of fresh air into the eatery with its sought-after location.

#4 Embark on A Real Life Treasure Hunt

The Gallivanting Goose is a fun treasure hunting concept. Explore areas you’ve seen a hundred times before in a fresh new way. At the start of the hunt, you get a special smart device loaded with the game and used for navigation. Choose between the following venues: V&A Waterfront, Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town City Walk, Hout Bay, and Stellenbosch. Do you have the strategic, navigational, and problem-solving skills it takes to be the winning team?

Visit thegg.co.za for more info.

#5 Smash A Few Plates

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Every month, on the last Saturday, you can fill your tummy with great Greek food and then party like only the Greeks can. Drink ouza, say “opa!” and decadently break a plate.  Hosted at Mykonos Taverna, in Sea Point, this popular Greek restaurant is a firm favourite in the local culinary scene. So, make sure you book a table to avoid disappointment.

Visit mykonostaverna.co.za for more information.

#6 Hike to The Kleinplaas dam

Photo by capeexplorers.co.za

Cape Town is full of hiking opportunities, tucked away within the city borders. If you are looking for a leisurely weekend outing that the whole family can enjoy, this is a great option. The dam lies in the Redhill area, situated above Simon’s Town. Along the way there are also interesting old ruins to explore.

#7 Learn to Salsa

Dancing is a fun couples’ activity to do. The Que Pasa dancing school hosts fun free dance classes every Friday night at La Prada, 107 Bree street (CBD), starting at 21:00. Or join at Jade Bar, 39 Main road (Greenpoint) on Sunday nights, starting at 20:00.

For more info, visit quepasa.co.za

#8 Fine Dining on Peaceful Waters

The V&A Waterfront has a magical vibe. It’s always abuzz with activity. And now an even more exciting restaurant has entered the scene, a first of its kind in the city. The Alba offers you a floating restaurant experience. While you are feasting, you can stare out over the calm waters of the harbour.

The 22m long cruise boat can seat 72 people for an unforgettable dining experience. It’s designed as an all-weather boat, so come rain or sunshine, you can enjoy a unique dining experience. Plus, it operates every day of the year. You can also book out the Alba for your private function. The cruise and dine options range from R495 to R695, depending on the time of day.

Book your floating seat now!

Related: Top 10 things to do at the V&A Waterfront

#9 Become A Chocolatier

Lindt chocolate is a world-famous brand. If you are a hardcore chocolate fanatic, you most likely have an opinion on the various types of chocolate they create, with the cocoa percentage varying from milky sweet to darkly bitter. You can book a class to learn how to make your own chocolate delights with the delicious Lindt chocolate. Classes range from R345 to R475. Choose between making truffles, cupcakes, a cake, macarons, or a fondant pudding. They also offer kids chocolate making classes.

Visit the chocolate studio website to book now.

#10 Explore the Abandoned Zoo

Photo by commons.wikimedia.org

Did you know the city once had a zoo? It was functional from 1931 to 1975. Cecil John Rhodes requested it, and it included animals from his own menagerie. Situated close to the Rhodes Memorial it makes for an interesting exploration adventure with friends. Investigate the eerie remains of the old cages and other structures.

Back in the day it was very popular and offered free access to the public. Look out for the lion’s den, it is the most distinguishable structure.

Share the Unique Fun with Secret Cape Town

Remember to share your epic Instagram pics with us! Tag @secretcapetown or use #secretcapetown to be featured with our #guesswhere.