Activities / Western Cape

Free Things To Do In Cape Town this Summer

Updated Sunday, 30 December 2018

Cape Town might be the most expensive place in South Africa, but the cityโ€™s long summer days (sunrise before 6am and sunset well after 8pm) help diminish the sting of inflated prices.

Best of all, summer comes with a list of things to do without price tags – you just have to know where to look.

Here is our selection of free things to do in Cape Town this Summer …ย 

Free Things To Do In Cape Town this Summer

CAPE TOWN WALKING TOURS

Enjoy free tours, on foot, from Green Market Square every day, 365 days a year (look out for the green umbrellas) at 11h00 and 14h00.

Choose between the Historic, District Six, or Bo-Kaap tours.

Groups of 10 or more need to book ahead. Rian, Stanni or Manni are your guides. Contact +27 (0)76 636-9007. #freetourscapetown

Green Point Urban Park

GREEN POINT URBAN PARK

The park and biodiversity garden on Green Point Common are a highlight of any visit to Cape Town, and completely free.

Stroll through the indoor museum that is the well signposted garden, enjoy the kidsโ€™ play parks, get to grips with fynbos, and picnic with views of the stadium, Signal Hill and Lionโ€™s Head.

These are really fabulous Free things to Do in Cape Town!

Bree Street

BREE STREETโ€™S ISLANDS

In the last few years Bree Street has become ultra fashionable, its wide road strewn on either side with pubs, bistros, restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques.

Down the centre are a series of fever-tree-laden paved islands that serve as smoke-break hangouts, and act as a great shady way to explore the road.

Muizenberg Waves

MUIZENBERGโ€™S WAVES

Surfing the waves of one of South Africaโ€™s most famous surf beaches comes absolutely free.

Youโ€™ll need to know how to surf, and youโ€™ll need a wetsuit.

But those waves just keep coming, which is why Muizenberg beach is considered one of the best surfing spots in the world and a fantastic “Free Things to Do in Cape Town“.

between Muizenberg and Kalk Bay

MUIZENBERG TO KALK BAY COASTAL WALK

There is a paved walkway on the waterโ€™s edge of False Bay between Muizenberg and Kalk Bay, passing alongside the pretty painted bather change rooms overlooking the tidal pool of St James.

Spend some time browsing Kalk Bayโ€™s antique stores and then return by train.

Library on Grand Parade

LOCAL LIBRARIES

Cape Townโ€™s local libraries are the cityโ€™s undiscovered gems.

Librarians are friendly, there are surprisingly numerous recently published books on the shelves, and they host holiday programmes for kids.

Central Library has a state of the art American Corner that includes a coffee bar, high-speed Wifi, laptop bank, sound recording studio and video production equipment.

Find it on the corner of Parade and Darling Streets.

First Thursdays

FIRST THURSDAYS

On the first Thursday of every month explore the art galleries and cultural attractions of Cape Townโ€™s central city until late.

When it started four years ago there were only six galleries on the map, including a pop-up exhibition. Today there are well over 20.

There is no guided tour, but you can pick up a map and highlights and design your own route.

Table Mountain Hike

THE HILLS

Table Mountain, Signal Hill, Lionโ€™s Head, Devilโ€™s Peak. Theyโ€™re all accessible, and you can climb them for free.

Just be sensible: good boots, sunscreen, hats, plenty of water, preferably a map, and leave your valuables at home.

Newlands

NEWLANDS FOREST

In the heart of Cape Townโ€™s southern suburbs is a forest well known to locals, who explore it often with their dogs, or in groups.

There are numerous pathways and trails, or you can link up with Kirstenbosch from here.

All the walks are free of charge.

St Georges Cathedral

ST GEORGEโ€™S MALL

This freely walkable area in the middle of Cape Townโ€™s city bowl is not a mall at all, but a pedestrianised area.

It used to be a busy road before it was paved over, and links the Foreshore to Company Gardens, lined with shops restaurants street vendors and buskers.

Walk it on Thursdays and youโ€™ll stumble upon the weekly independent local food market.

Cape Minstrel Carnival

KAAPSE KLOPSE

Every year the Cape Minstrels (Coon Carnival) take to the street for their Second New Year Street Parade.

Usually on the 2 January, last yearโ€™s was three days in a row.

If youโ€™re here over New Year, donโ€™t miss the process that snakes its way up Darling, Adderley, Wale and Rose streets.

Cape Town beaches

BEACHES GALORE

Some of the best beaches in the world, and theyโ€™re all free!

Choose between Cliftonโ€™s four beaches, Camps Bay, Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Llandudno, Noordhoekโ€™s Long Beach, and Bloubergstrand.

Bicycle path

THE ARGUS CYCLE TOUR

Watch the cityโ€™s major cycle tour from the sidelines (city bowl), or the comfort of a grassy bank (Kendal Road turnoff) in March every year.

In March, cyclists ride 109 km around the Cape Peninsula through some of the most incredible scenery ever.

Groot Constantia in the Constania Valley

THE GROUNDS OF THE OLDEST WINE ESTATE

Stroll down Groot Constantiaโ€™s avenue of oak trees, some of them over 300 years old (one is completely hollow), drink in the views from the edge of the orchards, or picnic under the trees (you can buy a picnic from Simonโ€™s Deli).

You might even be able to slip into the tasting hall to catch a glimpse of the permanent art exhibition.

Nobel Square

NOBEL SQUARE PHOTO MOMENTS

Have your photograph taken with Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Albert Luthuli or FW de Klerk.

The larger than life bronze statues of four Laureates are impressive.

Adderley Street Flower Seller

DE GROOTE KERK

De Groote Kerk, South Africaโ€™s oldest church on Adderley Street, doesnโ€™t advertise it but if you pop into the church during opening hours there is usually a guide present to take you through the buildingโ€™s finer architectural highlights.

And itโ€™s free of charge (you are requested to leave a donation).

Bree Street

THE FIRING OF THE NOON DAY GUN

Every day in the city bowl at 12pm there is a big bang (it can take you by surprise if youโ€™re not expecting it).

To witness the event head up Signal Hill, just before the red flag goes up, to hear the history behind the kaboom (there are two cannons; the second is backup).

Their firing is 100% accurate, set off from the South African Astronomical Observatory.

Lions Head, Cape Town

JAZZ FESTIVAL OPENING CONCERT

The pre-festival free community concert opens the annual Jazz Festival (Mar/April).

Itโ€™s held every year at Greenmarket Square in the heart of the city, drawing thousands of music lovers for a taste of the festival. World-class performers for the people of Cape Town.

Lions Head Hike

Can you suggest any other worthwhile Free Things To Do In Cape Town this Summer?

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