13 Free and Cheap Date Ideas to Try in Cape Town

It may be the number-one free activity in Cape Town, but it’s for a good reason. There are endless scenic walks to take in and around the city, and it’s a great way to hang out with someone without the pressures of a traditional date. If you’re both hiking enthusiasts, you could take on an extreme hike all the way to the summit, or you could just explore the lower reaches of Table Mountain or Lion’s Head with a bottle of wine.

Table Mountain (Nature Reserve), Cape Town, South Africa

Lion’s Head, Signal Hill, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

Right up there with an afternoon walk on the mountain is an all-South African sundowner on one of the city’s incredible beaches. A sundowner – essentially having a drink while watching the sun go down – is a great idea for a cheap date. But bear in mind that consumption of liquor is illegal on most beaches in South Africa, so either pack a non-alcoholic tipple or head to one of the city’s famous ocean-side bars with a view of the sunset, such as those in Camps Bay, though you’ll likely pay a bit more for the privilege.

Wine farms are not only the domain of expensive fine dining. Most estates in Cape Town, and the surrounding towns of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, offer cost-effective tastings of their best wines, in remarkably date-worthy locations. Each estate handles tasting in their own manner, so a bit of planning ahead might be helpful. Some offer free unlimited tastings, but most require a payment of about R40 ($3 USD) to sample a selection – which often includes their flagship wines.

The city has a thriving literary culture, and there are exciting launches almost every week at selected venues. These launches usually include readings, an interesting, intimate interview with the author, and often a few glasses of wine. The two most popular locations for regular book launches are Kalk Bay Books, and The Book Lounge.

Kalk Bay Books, 124 Main Rd, Kalk Bay, Cape Town, 7975, South Africa, +27 21 788 2266

The Book Lounge, 71 Roeland Street, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa, +27 21 462 2425

A cliché it may be, but sharing ice cream on the beach makes a great cost-effective date idea. There are several popular spots serving ice cream located near to most busy beaches in Cape Town, ranging from cheap soft-serve cones to sublime small-batch combinations, such as those at Sinnfull and The Creamery Café. The latter has a small branch perfectly located next to the Sea Point Promenade, which makes a great budget date combo.

Sinnfull Harbour Rd, Hout Bay Harbour, Cape Town, 7872, South Africa, +27 21 790 8143

The Creamery Café, 163 Beach Rd, Mouille Point, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa, +27 21 434 2455

Cape Town’s food markets are no longer the location of killer deals, but they still represent good value for a morning out. There are several great markets located throughout the city, including the Bay Harbour Market, Mojo Market, Oranjezicht City Farm Market, and the classic Old Biscuit Mill. All offer vibrant atmospheres and enough diversity in their delicious food offerings to add a positive element to any date.

Bay Harbour Market, 31 Harbour Rd, Hout Bay, Cape Town, 7872, South Africa, +27 83 275 5586

Mojo Market, 30 Regent Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town, 8060, South Africa, +27 87 940 7474

Oranjezicht City Farm Market, Granger Bay Blvd, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8051, South Africa, +27 83 628 3426

Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7915, South Africa, +27 21 447 8194