Cape Town shopping is the kind where you come home with something meaningful such as a print from a local artist, a jar of fynbos honey, or a piece of wire art that becomes the first thing people ask about when they see it in your home.
Before You Go: Cards, Cash, and ATMs
One thing to know before you go: most places take credit cards, so there’s rarely a need to carry cash, but there are ATMs around the Waterfront if you’d like some on hand. I sometimes still like to have a little cash on me, but it’s not necessary.
The Oranjezicht City Farm Market
I figure a good place to start is the Oranjezicht City Farm Market, right along the water with views out toward Table Bay and Robben Island. It’s open Saturday and Sunday mornings, with a smaller version on Wednesday evenings. It’s a great place to grab a coffee and something to eat before a day of shopping.
You’ll find tables piled with vegetables, warm loaves of sourdough, cheese, buckets of flowers, and jars of local honey. There’s a stand selling fresh pasta made right there that morning, plus jewelry from local makers, lovely olive oils and balsamic vinegars worth tucking into your bag to take home, and a handful of food vendors if you want a proper breakfast or lunch.
The V&A Waterfront
From the market, it’s a short walk to the V&A Waterfront, close enough that you can do both without needing a car. The Waterfront is where most of Cape Town’s shopping happens, a mix of South African designers alongside international names, with the water in view almost the whole way. And if you get hungry, you won’t have any trouble. There are restaurants everywhere, from a quick waterside lunch to more upscale dinners.
The Watershed
Another great stop at the Waterfront is The Watershed. It feels more like a market hall than a mall, with over a hundred vendors selling textiles, jewelry, leather goods, ceramics, art, and all kinds of things for the home. It’s an easy place to find something special, whether you’re picking up a gift or something for yourself.
If You Have More Time: Kloof Street and Bree Street
If you have more time, it’s worth checking out Kloof Street and Bree Street, a short drive from the Waterfront and lined with polished South African boutiques and a few excellent bookshops.
Fitting Shopping in Cape Town Into Your Trip
Shopping in Cape Town is an easy way to fill a morning between the bigger moments of a trip, and it’s usually one of the things people mention wanting to do again once they’re home.
