As a student, you need entertainment and things to do during your college or university breaks. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 15 things to do in Cape Town on a budget this summer that are both fun and easy on the wallet!
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Visit the Iziko Planetarium in Cape Town
For just R40 with your student card, you can visit the Iziko Planetarium where you’ll be able to see celestial sights as you make your way through the planetarium and onto the museum for a mind-blowing experience. As an added bonus, there is an awesome restaurant at Mount Nelson up the road, for those of you who want to treat your taste buds to some serious lunch in style!
Price: R40 for students
Take the City Sightseeing Tour on the Red Bus
The red City Sightseeing Tour bus will take you all over Cape Town, where you can experience the Mother City as you never have before! Tickets range from R225 to R315 for students when you buy online, and the price varies between the two packages that are available for the City Sightseeing Tour bus.
Price: R225 –R315 per student
Visit the Escape Rooms at Hint Hunt
Grab 4 to 6 of your closest friends and book an Escape Room at Hint Hunt found at the Old Biscuit Mill. When making your booking, you’ll be able to choose from 5 different escape rooms, each with varying difficulties that take 60 minutes to complete:
- Escape Plan: 4/5 difficulty rating
- Torpedo: 5/5 difficulty rating
- The Cursed Treasure: 5/5 difficulty rating
- The Old Hotel: 4/5 difficulty rating
- Shipwrecked: 3/5 difficulty rating
The escape rooms at Hint Hunt are some seriously crazy, adrenalin-packed fun, so come prepared.
Price: R315 per person
Take the Aerial Cableway Up Table Mountain
For R250, you can ride the aerial cableway up to the top of Table Mountain and see some amazing sights of our Mother City! The price of this ticket is for a return ticket, meaning you don’t have to worry about climbing your way back down.
However, if you want to extend your trip to Table Mountain, and save a few extra rands, then you can buy the one-way ticket for R150 and hike your way either up or down Table Mountain.
Price: R250 for a return ticket and R150 for a one-way ticket
Hike the Trails at Lion's Head
The hiking trails at Lion’s Head are a favourite among many students as this historical landmark not only offers breathtaking views, but it’s also free! Get up early, pack some snacks and hike up Lion’s Head as the sun comes up. It only takes about an hour and a half and the view from the top is well worth it.
Price: Free
Go for a Bike n Wine
Taste delectable wines and tasty cheeses as you peddle your way through the Cape Vineyards at Bike n Wine. What could be more fun than cycling with your other half or with some good friends as you enjoy some of the most spectacular wine estates along the Cape Wine Route? The best part is that you don’t have to own a bike, you can rent one on the day!
Price: Varies according to the trail and your budget
Attend a Quiz Night at Fireman's Arms
Need something fun and educational to do on a Thursday night? Head over to the Fireman’s Arms and show your friends once and for all that you truly are the smartest! For only R25 you can prove your skills and have a few drinks as you show your stuff. It’s time to have a load of laughs before the weekend has arrived.
Price: R25
Visit the World of Birds at Hout Bay
Go check out 400 species of birds at the Hout Bay World of Birds sanctuary in Cape Town. Entrance for students is R85 and you can attend every Monday to Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm. Any proceeds that are given go to Animal Conservation, so be sure to visit the World of Birds and support a good cause.
Price: R85 for students
Taste Honest Chocolate in Cape Town
Sweet indulgence on a budget? Now that’s what we are talking about! Visit Honest Chocolate on Wale Street in Cape Town for some insanely delicious sweet treats for under R100. Melt-in-your-mouth muffins, cakes and various other goodies will have you smiling for the rest of the day.
Price: Under R100
Go Wine Tasting in Groot Constantia
Take in the idyllic view and surroundings as you stroll through the Groot Constantia Wine Farm before enjoying some fabulous wine for only R130 per person (over 18s only) for tasting. Soaked in history, the wine farm has been producing wine since 1685! There are two restaurants should you wish to spoil yourself with a bite to eat afterward.
Price: Wine tastings start at R130 per person
Catch a Movie, Old School Style
Renowned for its quaint charm, and old-school theatre, the Labia is a wonderful place to go watch a couple of old films to make you feel young. The Labia is simply one of those things you must do a few times in your life. At only R70 a movie, you can enjoy some independent, artsy films as you are whisked away into another world before your time.
Price: R70
See a Musical at the Tyger Valley Theatre
If you’re a student with a passion for musical theatre and the performing arts, then be sure to go and watch a musical at the Tyger Valley Theatre in Cape Town. The cost depends on the show you’d like to see as you enjoy some serious local talent at the renowned Barnyard Theatre in Cape Town.
Price: Tickets vary depending on the show
Go Rock Climbing at City Rock
For those adventurous types, head on down to the City Rock indoor climbing facility to break a sweat and have some fun! This is an activity for all ages as there are introductory classes for beginners most days of the week.
Price: R160 day pass for students
Have a Picnic at Kirstenbosch Gardens
With a student discount, you’ll be able to enjoy lush green hills, bubbling streams and scenic natural surroundings at the Kirstenbosch Gardens. If you’re looking for some peace and tranquillity this summer, then this is the perfect place for you to relax and have a picnic in the sun.
Price: R220 entrance, student discount R60
Visit the Promenade
Known as a hotspot for runners, joggers and dog walkers as well as some talented skateboarders and roller-bladers, the Sea Point Promenade provides myriad activities to get fit along the beachfront. Dust off your running shoes and take a late afternoon jog as you watch the sunset over the ocean.
Price: free
Add Funding to Your List of Things to Do
As the old saying goes, “all good things must come to an end.” The end of summer brings with it a whole list of new things to do as a student—such as finding funding for your studies.
Making funding one less thing to worry about by getting a student loan with Fundi! Fundi covers all of your educational costs, including accommodation, textbooks, school fees and more.
Try out the Fundi Calculator to see if you qualify for a Fundi study loan today!
