February, the month of love, is just around the corner. It’s the perfect time to plan a romantic date for your special someone. But, here’s the best part is – in Cape Town you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy a lovely day or night date with your loved one.
Home to a variety of beautiful landscapes, stunning natural wonders, thrilling adventures, an exciting culinary scene and so much more; the Mother City has an endless variety of date spots perfectly suited to every budget.
Best Date Ideas in Cape Town for Under R200
In order to ensure you have the most amazing day or night with your special someone, here are the best date ideas in Cape Town for under R200.
Have a romantic picnic in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
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Crowned one of the great botanic gardens of the world, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is undoubtedly one of the Mother City’s most magnificent natural gems. Situated at the base of Table Mountain, a visit to Kirstenbosch is not only filled with beauty and adventure but tons of romance too.
Besides thrilling hiking trails, nature walks, waterfalls, unique fauna and flora and the famous Treetop Canopy Walk, the botanical garden also boasts beautiful lush lawns and large shaded trees perfect for a romantic picnic for two. It’s certainly one of the best date ideas in Cape Town for under R200.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Entrance Fee:
- Adults: R75
- South African Students (with student card): R40
- Scholars/Learners (6 – 17 years): R20
- Children under 6 years: Free
- South African Senior Citizens (with ID): Free on Tuesdays except on public holidays
Take a sunset drive along the captivating Chapman’s Peak Drive
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Known as one of the most magnificent marine drives in the world, Chapman’s Peak Drive is not only one of Cape Town’s top attractions but one of the most beautiful too. This captivating coastal road ribbons along the Atlantic coastline between Hout Bay and Noordhoek showcases some of the most spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean and beyond.
Besides the stunning views that stretch as far as the eye can see, Chapman’s Peak Drive is also one of the most magnificent sunset spots in the city. Thus, taking a romantic sunset drive along this beautiful coastal road is one of the best date ideas in Cape Town for under R200. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a few beloved members of the Marine Big 5 too. So, keep your eyes open for dolphins, whales, Cape Fur Seals and African Penguins.
Cost | Standard Tarif Toll Fee: R50
Recommended Accommodation
Take a stroll along the Sea Point Promenade and play an exciting game of putt-putt
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The Sea Point Promenade has become the ultimate mecca for anyone wanting to enjoy a stunning stroll along the beachfront paired with spectacular views. The best thing is, this beautiful Cape Town spot has a few exciting surprises too. In addition to enjoying a romantic walk along the Atlantic coast filled with jaw-dropping scenic views, you can choose to enjoy a thrilling game of putt-putt on your special Sea Point Promenade date too. This adds a bit of fun and excitement to an already special Cape Town date experience.
Cost: R28 per game
Enjoy a romantic open-air screening of one of your all-time favourite movies at the Galileo Open Air Cinema
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Known as the ultimate outdoor cinema in Cape Town, the Galileo Open Air Cinema has fast become one of the top things to do in the Mother City. And certainly one of the most fun and romantic too. There’s nothing quite as exciting as enjoying a screening of one of your all-time favourite movies under the Mother City moonlight and night sky. But, getting to do it with your significant other or special someone by your side just makes it extra special. As this is one of the Mother City’s most sought-after experiences, tickets can sell out quite fast. So, make sure you book yours as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!
The Galileo Open Air Cinema offers a variety of packages that range in price.
Standard package: R109 p/p
Warm Package: R117 p/p
Comfy package: R125 p/p
Warm & comfy: 130 p/p
VIP: R195 p/p
Take a late afternoon beach stroll on Llandudno Beach & watch the sun go down
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Llandudno Beach is undoubtedly one of Cape Town’s most beautiful beaches. Boasting large granite boulders, turquoise water, white sand and a spectacular view, it is pure beach bliss. Let’s be honest, what could be more romantic than taking a relaxing stroll along one of the most magnificent beaches in the Mother City? But, if you’re looking to make it extra special, a sunset sundowner picnic on one of Llandudno’s giant granite boulders is the perfect date idea. Llandudno’s granite boulder isn’t known as one of the Mother City’s most beautiful secret sunset spots for nothing. It’s certainly one of the best date ideas in Cape Town for under R200.
Cost: Free
Enjoy an old-school movie screening at the Labia Theatre
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A classic movie date is without a doubt one of the top all-time favourite date ideas for love birds of all ages. But, the Mother City sure loves to put her own unique spin on a romantic movie date for two with a special movie screening at the Labia Theatre. It’s the oldest Independent Cinema in South Africa, showing independent movies, foreign films, historical cinema and other alternative and art circuit films for movie lovers from all walks of life. In addition to enjoying a memorable movie screening, the Labia Theatre also has a coffee shop, stocked with all the delicious movie treats your heart desires, as well as a fully licensed bar with a terrace. Thus, it’s one of the most unique and memorable Cape Town movie date ideas of all time.
Cost: All shows: R50 p/p
Enjoy a unique wine tasting experience in a “cave” at Klein Roosboom Boutique Winery
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What would a Cape Town date be without sharing some exceptional wine with the one you love? Located along the beautiful Durbanville wine route, Klein Roosboom is one of Cape Town best kept wine secrets. They add an extra unique touch to your wine tasting experience by allowing you to enjoy a range of their incredible wines in a ‘cave’. This makes a truly memorable Cape Town date neither of you will soon forget.
Cost: White wine tasting: R40 (3 sauvignon blancs, 1 unwooded chardonnay, 1 rosé)
Cost: Red wine tasting – R30 (merlot, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz)
Sunrise or sunset hike up Lions Head
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This Cape Town date idea is dedicated to all the adventure loving couples out there! There’s no denying the fact that the top of Lions Head is one of the most romantic date spots in Cape Town. Although it might take a little extra work and some hard hiking graft to reach the top of your date destination. The view from the top promises to be worth every second. Not to mention the fact that the hike up Lions Head offers some of the most spectacular views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean, Camps Bay and beyond all the way throughout.
If you’re however looking to make this adventure date extra special, a sunrise (for all the early risers) or sunset hike up Lions Head is absolutely incredible. It isn’t known as one of the Mother City’s best sunset and sunrise spots for nothing. If you want to add another surprise, pack a couple of treats in your backpack and enjoy a romantic picnic for two on the summit of Lions Head. All while soaking up every second of the magical Cape Town sunset view.
Cost: Free
Go on a Sunset Hop-On-Hop-Off Red Bus Tour of the Mother City
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If you’re looking to do something slightly different and adventurous for your perfect Cape Town date, going on the ultimate sunset hop-on-hop-off Red Bus tour around the Mother City is definitely it. The Mother City’s famous Red Bus City Sightseeing Tour provides visitors with the ultimate opportunity to see a variety of Cape Town’s top attractions, landmarks and sought-after locations. You can either choose to pass on by or get off at a particular destination and stay a while. And once you’re done exploring your chosen location, you can catch the next bus and continue your journey through the city. But experiencing the city at sunset on the ultimate city sightseeing experience is something truly special.
Online prices: Adult: R140 | Children: R80
Enjoy a sunset cocktail at Café Caprice on the famous Camps Bay sunset strip
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Café Caprice is not only known as one of the most sought-after beachfront spots along the famous Camps Bay sunset strip. But one of the best sunset spots in the city too. Besides enjoying a cool and refreshing cocktail, craft beer or glass of Cape Vino at one of the hottest spots in town. It will be perfectly paired with one of the most spectacular sunset views of Camps Bay and the Atlantic Ocean too. Not to mention the vibrant energy this magical Cape Town beach is known for – a perfect sunset date in Cape Town.
Visit the cute & charismatic African Penguins at Boulders Beach
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While this might seem slightly unconventional for a romantic Cape Town date. It promises to be filled with beauty, fun and excitement all the way through. Undoubtedly making it one of the best date ideas in Cape Town for under R200. Plus, if you’re looking to make it a family affair, you have the awesome option of doing that too. Besides being a really cool date idea, seeing these tuxedo cuties in their natural habitat has fast become one of the most sought-after experiences for anyone travelling to Cape Town.
Located just past Simonstown, Boulders Beach is also one of the only places in the world where you can actually get up close and personal with the charismatic African Penguins. It makes a pretty incredible bucket-list worthy experience to say the least. By paying a small conservation entrance fee you can gain access to the popular African Penguin Viewing Site. Spend the day on the beach with these cool ocean locals at the beautiful Boulders Beach. Now if that doesn’t constitute a memorable Cape Town date experience, we’re not sure what will.
Conservation entrance fee to Boulders Bay:
- South African Citizens and Residents (with ID): R40 p/adult per day | R20 p/child per day
- SADC Nationals (with passport): R80 p/adult per day | R40 p/child per day
- Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors): R160 p/adult per day | R80 p/child per day
Have a Gin & Tonic at one of Cape Town’s coolest secret gin spots
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If you consider yourself and your special someone to be head-over-heels gin lovers at heart, a visit to the Gin Bar is the perfect Cape Town date spot for you. Locally known as the Secret Gin Bar due to its hush-hush unmarked location behind another one of the Mother City’s best kept secrets, Honest Chocolate. The Gin Bar is the ultimate inner-city gin nirvana. Located in Wale Street, right in the heart of Cape Town’s city centre, the Gin Bar is one of the Mother City’s coolest hidden gems. It is also one of the country’s only true speak-easy bars, and a visit to the bar is a truly memorable experience and it’s the perfect Cape Town date spot for all gin lovers at heart. Plus, the fact that it’s nestled in a Mediterranean-style secret courtyard makes the setting as cool and captivating as the awesome G&T drink selection and bar itself.
Sunset date at Cape Town’s secret ‘Sunset Rock’
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Dubbed by Cape Town locals the ‘Sunset Rock’, there is no denying the fact that it is one of the most spectacular secret sunset spots in the Mother City. So, if you’re looking to plan something extra special for your special someone, a romantic picnic and sundowners on the ‘Sunset Rock’ is bound to knock their socks off. But where exactly is this Cape Town secret sunset gem?
Make your way right to the end of Ocean View Drive. Once you’re there, you’ll have to ‘bundu bash’ your way through some greenery and over a few rocks. As it’s one of the Mother City’s most beloved local secret sunset spots, there is no clear path laid out. But it’s all part of the adventure right! You’ll then stumble upon a natural collection of large flat granite boulders that overlook Clifton and Camps Bay. Once you’ve found the perfect spot, you can sit back, relax and watch the sunset from a phenomenal outdoor vantage point. It promises to be both a spectacular and romantic sunset experience you and your date will never forget. Plus, you get to tick something amazing off your Cape Town bucket-list at the same time.
Cost: Free
Step into the most magical garden at the Babylonstoren
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Situated in the Drakenstein Valley in the heart of the Cape Winelands, almost halfway between Franschhoek and Paarl, Babylonstoren is about as beautiful as they come. It’s therefore no surprise that the magical Babylonstoren has established itself as one of the most beautiful Instagrammable spots in Cape Town. Famous for its beautifully lush 3.5-hectar garden, the Babylonstoren gardens is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular displays of Mother Nature. But in true Cape Town style, this is no ordinary garden. Boasting towering rose vines towering vines, organic veggies, lush lawns and an amazing cactus patch. It truly is the ultimate nature lover’s paradise and perfect spot for a romantic Cape Town date.
Garden entrance fee: Weekdays: R10 for adults & children | Weekends & public holidays: R20 p/adult | R10 p/child under 12
These amazing destinations, experiences and attractions are not only the best date ideas in Cape Town for under R200. But they promise to add tons of beauty, fun and excitement to your day or night date spent with your special someone. The Mother City is not only known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but certainly one of the most romantic too. It’s up to you to take advantage of every glorious and magical second of it.
Cape Town date ideas don’t get better than this! If you’re looking for ideas on places to stay for a romantic getaway in Cape Town? Check out our list of the best romantic accommodation in Cape Town and start planning the ultimate couple’s weekend now! You can also contact us if you would like to learn more about the accommodation options on offer in the city or tour activities to indulging while in town.
We’d also love to hear from you – what is your best romantic place to go on a date in Cape Town? Share your tips and ideas below and let us know!
