You don’t always need to book a flight or spend a fortune on a holiday to experience something new. Sometimes, the best way to break out of your routine is to explore the city you already live in with fresh eyes.
Also see: How to enjoy Cape Town’s tourist attractions as a local
South Africa has plenty of attractions, neighbourhoods, restaurants, cultural spaces and outdoor experiences that locals often overlook. The Department of Tourism has also encouraged South Africans to explore their own country, highlighting the value of domestic tourism to local businesses and communities.
If your next holiday feels too expensive, try becoming a tourist in your own city.
1. Visit a place you’ve never been
Make a list of attractions you’ve always told yourself you would visit but never have. It could be a museum, art gallery, botanical garden, heritage site, viewpoint or popular landmark.
You don’t have to travel far to discover something new. Even within a familiar city, different neighbourhoods can offer completely different experiences.
2. Take a different route
One of the easiest ways to see your city differently is to stop following your usual routine.
Instead of driving directly to work, the shops or your favourite restaurant, take a walk through a neighbourhood you’ve never properly explored. Look at the architecture, public art, parks and small businesses around you.
Changing your normal route can make familiar surroundings feel surprisingly new.
3. Eat somewhere you’ve never tried
Pretend you’re visiting your city for the first time and choose a restaurant, café or food market you’ve never visited.
Try a local speciality or ask the staff what they recommend. You could even make a day of it by exploring a neighbourhood and stopping at an independent restaurant rather than choosing the chain you normally visit.
The Department of Tourism suggests supporting local restaurants and businesses also means your spending contributes directly to the local economy.
Also see: Explore Gauteng’s hidden tourist gems
4. Become a visitor for the day
Give yourself a simple tourist itinerary.
Start with breakfast, visit an attraction, have lunch somewhere new, explore a neighbourhood in the afternoon and finish with a sunset spot or evening activity.
You don’t need to fill every minute. The goal is to experience your city rather than rush through it.
5. Look for free or affordable activities
Being a tourist doesn’t have to mean spending hundreds or thousands of rand.
Look for free exhibitions, public parks, walking routes, markets, beaches, community events and outdoor spaces. If you’re in Cape Town, for example, the city’s tourism organisation highlights activities ranging from nature and beaches to arts, culture, food and neighbourhood experiences, as per The Department of Tourism.
6. Ask locals for recommendations
Talk to people who know the area well. Ask a barista, shop owner, taxi driver or friend about their favourite places.
You may discover hidden gems that don’t appear on the standard tourist checklist. Exploring through local recommendations can also make the experience feel more personal.
7. Shop local
Visit independent shops, craft markets and small businesses instead of automatically heading to a shopping centre.
Buying locally made products, eating at independent establishments and supporting community-based tourism can help spread the economic benefits of tourism beyond large businesses.
Also see: Eager to become a tourist in your own country? Explore the beauty of Gqeberha
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