Since being named World Design Capital in 2014, Cape Town has become a hub of local craft and design. With a number of well-established and growing artisan markets throughout the city, there is no shortage of traditional African crafts, handmade goods and bespoke souvenirs to add to your collection.
Markets range from bustling urban shopping centres to seaside craft fairs and attractions for food lovers. At each stall, the best of Cape Town is on offer. Expect a few opportunities to haggle, to meet the local designers, and to taste the simply wonderful flavours of the local Cape communities.
Green Market Square
In the heart of Cape Town’s business district, you’ll find Greenmarket Square. Once a slave market, it’s now a bustling marketplace where stalls offer every kind of African souvenir imaginable. There’s also entertainment to be found, in the form of buskers, mime artists and jugglers, especially on Saturday mornings. Soak up the scene after you shop, and grab a shaded seat at one of the cafes that surround the cobblestoned square.
- Opening hours: Monday – Saturday: 9:00 – 16:00
- Address: Corner Shortmarket and Longmarket Streets, Cape Town, 8000
Cape Town City Bowl Market
City Bowl Market on Hope Street is the place where Cape Town’s food lovers meet. Featuring tastes from across the globe, you’ll find huge pots of paella, famous Durban curries, spicy samoosas and more on offer from the various traders here. Along with the food vendors are local winemakers and craft brewers introducing their latest ranges. Expect a vibrant scene of locals and visitors by 18:00 when the market welcomes live performances from Cape Town’s up-and-coming musicians.
- Opening hours: Thursday only: 16:30 – 20:30
- Address: 14 Hope Street, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001
- Website: www.citybowlmarket.co.za
Neighbourgoods Market in Woodstock, Cape Town
One of the hippest places in Cape Town, the Neighbourgoods Market in Woodstock is a must visit Saturday market. Housed in the Old Biscuit Mill, a converted mill house, it offers a number of quirky shops selling crafts, clothing and jewellery from local artisans. Live entertainment is also on offer, filling the bustling square with a range of acoustic or DJ tunes. But the major draw of this market is the food. A variety of mouth-watering food stalls here sell everything from breakfast fare to dumplings and gyros, with craft beers and bubbles to wash it all down.
- Opening hours: Saturday only: 9:00 – 14:00
- Address: The Old Biscuit Mill, 373 Albert Road, Cape Town, 7915
- Website: www.neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za
Oranjezicht City Farm, Cape Town’s farmers’ market
A true farmer’s market, the Oranjezicht City Farm sells the products and produce of local urban farmers. Everything from seasonal fruit and veg, flowers and homemade goodies are on offer here.
Vegans and vegetarians will be especially happy here, as the market is well-known for catering to all types of foodies, as well as those seeking wheat, gluten, sugar and dairy-free alternatives. Housed at the V&A Waterfront, this market is perfect for an outdoor breakfast with a sea view.
- Opening hours: Saturday only: 9:00 – 14:00
- Address: Granger Bay Blvd, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8002
- Website: www.ozcf.co.za
Watershed Market on Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront
This beautiful Waterfront space next to the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront is home to over 150 local designers. Immensely popular with locals, visitors have caught on to the unique locally-made goods sold here, including ceramics, furniture, fashion and jewellery. Everything at the market is South African-made and offers a true opportunity to support local trade. Upstairs at the market, find ‘Wellness at the Watershed’, offering a range of spa treatments. If you’re peckish, swing next door to the V&A Market on the Wharf for a food lover’s marketplace.
- Opening hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 – 19:00
- Address: 17 Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8002
- Website: www.waterfront.co.za
Bay Harbour Market in the fishing village of Hout Bay
The Bay Harbour Market is a vibrant weekend must-do just 20 minutes from the city centre. Located at the Hout Bay Harbour, the seaside market offers handmade and second-hand gems every Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Live music entertains shoppers, who are treated with a wide selection of traders offering a little bit of everything. An ideal afternoon getaway, the market is kid-friendly, and many visitors get stuck in with a drink and lunch alongside the live music stage.
- Opening hours: Fri 17:00-21:00, Sat-Sun 09:30-16:00
- Address: 31 Harbour Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town, 7872
- Website: www.bayharbour.co.za
Scroll Through Some More Attractions
Table Mountain Cable Car
City Sightseeing Bus Tours
Waterfront Charters Sunset Champagne Cruise
Cape Point Explorer Tour
Groot Constantia Wine Tasting and Tour
Two Oceans Aquarium
Tandem Flight Co.
Marine Dynamics Shark Cage Diving
Great White Shark Tours
Drumbeat Charters Seal Colony Cruise
PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience
Mojo Market R100 Bar Voucher
Urban Oasis Eatery & Bar
Fish & Chips in Hout Bay
Enjoy a Free Burger & Chips in Camps Bay (sit down only)
Acrobranch Constantia
Acrobranch Stellenbosch
Ocean Experiences
Helicopter & Ocean Combo
Flying Dutchman Funicular
Zeitz MOCAA Museum
Mama Africa Restaurant
Circe Launches Seal Island Cruise
Cape Town Helicopters’ Twelve Apostles Scenic Helicopter Flight
Beerhouse on Long
PlayDate SuperPark
Gold Restaurant – African Dining Experience
Stellenbosch Vineyards
Aquila Game Reserve and Spa Afternoon Safari
Vredenheim Winery & Big Cat Sanctuary
Cobra Experience
Free Tasting at Woodstock Gin Company
Franschhoek Wine Tram Explorer Tour
World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park
City Sightseeing Bo Kaap Walking Tour
Spier Wine Farm
Shimansky Rockwell Diamond Experience
Iziko South African National Gallery
Bo-Kaap Museum
Iziko South African Museum
Norval Foundation
Iziko Slave Lodge
Franschhoek Adventures Historical Village Walk
City Sightseeing LaGuGu Township Tour
The Franschhoek Cellar
Tour and Tasting at Pienaar and Son
Cape Town Diamond Museum
The Diamond Gallery
Cape Wheel
Avontuur Estate Farm and Wine Experience
Le Bonheur Reptiles and Adventures
SUP Cape Town (Stand Up Paddle Boarding)
City Cruiser Bicycle Rental
Dyer Island Cruises Whale Watching
Castle of Good Hope
Alpaca Loom Barn Tour & Coffee Shop
Rush Trampoline Park
Simonsig Wine Estate
Franschhoek Winelands Luxury Cycle Tour
Stellenbosch Winelands Luxury Tour
Cape Peninsula Pedal
Stellenbosch Half Day Winelands Cycle Tour
Stellenbosch Vineyard Meander
Stellenbosch Adventure Ride
City Sightseeing Historic City Walk
City Sightseeing Imizamo Yethu Township Tour
Eagle Encounters
Waterfront Charters Harbour Cruise
South African Jewish Museum
City Sightseeing Harbour Cruise
City Sightseeing Canal Cruise
Heart of Cape Town Museum
Waterfront Charters Harbour & Bay Cruise
Cape Side Cars Chauffeured City Tour
Cape Town Holocaust Centre
District Six Museum
TOKARA Wine and Olive Farm
Scratch Patch
Lovane Boutique Wine Estate and Guesthouse
Cave Golf
Honest Chocolate
Tanzanite International
Diamonds 27
Sport Helicopters Huey City Hopper Flight
Cape Explorer: Wine Tour & Tasting Full-Day Excursion
City Grill Steakhouse
Wharfside Grill at Mariner’s Wharf
Moyo Restaurant, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Cape Town Tandem Paragliding
Two Oceans Aquarium Diving and Penguin Encounter