Pensioner discounts on 25 museums and places of interest to visit around the country

Lirette Louw Bezuidenhout
6 hours ago
4 min read

My family and I love to seek out museums and places of interest (like cave exploring experiences) to break up the long road and to give us plenty to talk about around the camp fire.

In South Africa, we are fortunate to have many museums to preserve our history and diverse cultures. For most the entry fees (even without a pensioners' discount) are very reasonable and if you visit small towns there is usually no entry fee to enter the local museum.

Three image showing an art museum exhibit and African artefacts and third image is of Ndebele beading as art form.

Whether you are planning a road trip for Easter or you're travelling around the country enjoying the more than 100 deals we found at camping and caravanning sites, a visit to a museum or place of interest is a must!

The origins of museums — A history stretching back 2,500 years

The idea of collecting and preserving objects of significance is as old as civilisation itself.

The very first known museum is believed to have belonged to Princess Ennigaldi, daughter of the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, dating back to around 530 BCE in the ancient city of Ur, in what is now modern-day Iraq.

When archaeologists excavated the site in 1925, they discovered dozens of artefacts neatly arranged side by side, complete with labels written in three languages — remarkably similar to how museums display objects today.

Before that, royal palaces and temples in the ancient world served a similar purpose, showcasing treasures, artworks, and objects from distant lands as symbols of power and prestige.

From private collections to public institutions

For much of history, museums were the privilege of the wealthy. During the Renaissance, European nobles and scholars began assembling "cabinets of curiosity" — rooms filled with fossils, coins, artworks, and exotic artefacts from around the world. It was only later that museums became accessible to the general public.

The Capitoline Museums in Rome, established in 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV donated a collection of ancient bronze sculptures to the people of Rome, are widely recognised as the oldest public museum in the world. The British Museum followed in 1759, opening its doors as one of the first truly independent public museums.

Over the centuries, what began as private wonder rooms evolved into the welcoming, educational, and community-focused institutions we know and love today.

Pensioner discounts on museum visits and places of interest

We have found the following pensioner discounts around the country:

Western Cape

Robben Island Museum (Cape Town): Discounted rates for over-60s on certain days of the week!
The Iziko South African Museum (Cape Town): Offers free entry on a Friday and discounted weekday rates to pensioners.
Bertram House (Cape Town): Pensioners enjoy special discounted rates in the week and free access on a Friday!
Bo-Kaap Museum (Cape Town): Walk the historic streets and visit the museum for free on a Friday and at discounted rates any other day of the week.
Groot Constantia Museum (Constantia): Make a day of it with wine tasting and a beautiful hike on the extended lawns with pensioner discounts to the museum on weekdays and free entry on a Friday.
Planetarium and Digital Dome (Cape Town): Enjoy a pensioner discount on this unique experience.
Rust en Vreugd Museum (Cape Town): Free on a Friday to pensioners and discounted rates offered on all other days.
Slave Lodge Museum (Cape Town): Step back in time with pensioner discounts on all days of the week and free entry on a Friday.
Iziko South African National Gallery (Cape Town): Enjoy the art at discounted prices any day of the week and free entry for pensioners on a Friday.
Castle of Good Hope (Cape Town): Discounted entry rates for pensioners every day of the week.
South Africa Naval Museum (Simonstown): Free entry 7 days a week!
SAS Assegaain Submarine Museum (Simonstown): Discounted rates for pensioners on guided tours inside a submarine.
Franschhoek Motor Museum (Franschhoek): Over-60s enjoy reduced entry fees any day of the week.
Museum of Illusions (Cape Town): Reduced entry fees for those over 60!
Zeits MOCAA (Cape Town): Entry is free every Wednesday for South Africans (and all African citizens) between 10 am and 1pm. Else make use of their birthday special to enter for free!

Image showing a cave inside with lights showing the way.

Gauteng

Pretoria Art Museum (Pretoria): Pensioners pay a reduced entry fee.
University of Pretoria Museums (Pretoria): Over-60s enjoy reduced admission fees.
DITSONG Museum of Cultural History (Pretoria): Offers a discounted entry fee to seniors.
Apartheid Museum (Johannesburg): Over-60s pay a reduced fee with guided tours also offered at a special pensioners discounted rate!
Maropeng Visitor Centre (Cradle of Humankind, Krugersdorp): Step back in time with a significant discount on offer for over-60s.

KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal Museum (Pietermaritzburg): Free entry for pensioners to this unique collection!

Mpumalanga

Baberton Museum (Baberton): Reduced entry fees and free entry on offer depending on which museums you visit as a pensioner.
Sudwala Caves (Nelspruit): Enjoy a cave tour at a discounted rate if you are over-60!

Eastern Cape

East London Museum (East London): Pay a reduced entry fee if you are over 60.
Old Residency Museum (Graaff-Reinet): Discounted multi-museum combo rates available for pensioners!

Know before you go

The following is important to keep in mind in planning a visit to any of the establishments listed above:

Some places require prior online bookings, so it's best to check the entry requirements before going.
Many museums offer guided tours, but these must often be booked in advance.
Check the operating hours since some museums are closed on public holidays.
Grandchildren can accompany you at discounted prices at almost all venues.

Enjoy exploring and learning more from visiting these establishments and it does not hurt that it comes with a discounted price tag!

All the best

Lirette

Co-founder, PensionersPayLess!

Lirette is a co-founder of PensionersPayLess! and the heart behind its mission to help South Africa's over-55s enjoy life to the fullest. Backed by a Doctorate of Law and two master’s degrees, she combines legal know-how with a passion for practical advice. Lirette writes about topics that she believes will appeal to a wide audience and which mostly relate back to her personal experiences, be it making plans for retirement with her parents, balancing a household budget or enjoying a good meal or holiday.