Cape Town on a Backpacker Budget

Cape Town can be expensive, but it does not have to be. With a little planning, you can eat well, sleep comfortably, hike spectacular trails, and see penguins for less than 60 euros a day.

Stay in Green Point, Sea Point, or Observatory. Green Point and Sea Point are safe, walkable, and close to the waterfront and city bowl. Observatory has a younger, artsier vibe and some of the cheapest hostels. Expect to pay 12 to 20 euros for a dorm bed and 35 to 60 euros for a private room in a guesthouse.

The best activities are free or cheap. Hike up Lion's Head at sunrise, walk the Pipe Track along Table Mountain, visit the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, and spend a morning at the Kirstenbosch botanical gardens. The beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay are free, though parking can be tricky.

Public transport is limited, so use Uber or the MyCiTi bus for longer distances. Renting a car is useful if you want to visit the Cape Peninsula, but for the city itself, rideshares are cheaper than parking. Avoid walking alone at night in areas you do not know.

Eat at markets and food halls rather than tourist restaurants. The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock hosts the Saturday Neighbourgoods Market, with stalls from local producers. For everyday meals, the supermarket chain Woolworths has excellent ready-made food at reasonable prices.

A day trip to Boulders Beach to see the African penguins costs a small conservation fee, and the drive along Chapman's Peak is one of the most scenic in the world. Combine it with a visit to the Cape of Good Hope. The best weather is October to April, though the wind can be fierce in any season.