Fill Your Suitcase: Cape Town's Best Shopping Spots

From trendy markets in the CBD to delicious food stalls in Muizenberg and bargain hunting in Kenilworth. Talented entrepreneurs who showcase the creativity of the area, farmers with fresh local produce and hordes of bargain outlets for the wallet-wary. The Mother City has no shortage of shopping opportunities for the discerning holiday buyer.

Contemporary design in Cape Town’s CBD

There’s a lot more to Cape Town’s shopping landscape than the tourist-trodden V&A Waterfront. In fact, you’ll find some of the best shopping spots in the winding streets of the city centre. Walk less than a kilometre up Kloof Street and you’ll come across clothing and jewellery stores, salons, burger joints and a small cinema. The most fashionable street in Cape Town is said to be Bree Street, which boasts a selection of small boutiques and galleries, as well as an artisanal bakery and restaurant.

A short drive from the city is Woodstock and the Old Biscuit Mill, a small shopping village with an impressive collection of art, jewellery, furniture, chocolate, wine, fashion and pottery. Also home to day and night markets, the Mill offers delicious food stalls and excellent restaurants, such as the Test Kitchen, Pot Luck Club and Burrata.

Located nearby is another shopping gem, called the Woodstock Exchange. This creative hub offers affordable workspace to young businesses, designers, artists, photographers, fashion designers, illustrators, and more. The Woodstock Exchange is where you’ll find bags made locally from sourced canvas and leather suppliers as well as furniture made using environmentally conscious design and locally produced materials.

Bargain Hunting Hot Spots

If you are more of a "turn every sent around" type of person, you’ll appreciate the thriftier side of Cape Town’s shopping scene. There is a utopia of hidden discount stores and factory shops selling branded fashion for a fraction of the usual price. Choose from over 100 onesie designs at aFREAKa Clothing, locally made using the highest quality materials to ensure durability and comfort.

Access Park is a massive shopping complex in Kuilsriver and Kenilworth with over 100 factory stores. Here, you’ll get up to 50% off fashion, footwear, sports equipment, party favours, and more from leading brands such as Guess, Cotton On, Levi’s, Nike, Puma, Aldo, Forever New, Superga, Cape Union Mart and New Balance. Other major factory shops in Cape Town include Freezerland, Playtex Factory Shop, Jordan Footwear, Falke Socks and Bargain Books - so you never have to pay full price for your favourite brands.

The Mother City’s Top Markets

Once a deserted fish factory, the Bay Harbour Market in Hout Bay is now a trendy warehouse that not only treats you to a unique taste of Cape Town, but South Africa as well. Entry to this charming market is free and every Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday (from 9am to 4pm), the market takes shape with local and international traders, live music, cheerful patrons and gourmet food. With over 80 stalls to browse there’s plenty to see, hear and taste; including jewellery, vinyl records and vintage clothing. Be sure to try the gourmet chillies filled with blue cheese and bacon or chilli prawn and cream cheese. If that’s not your style, there’s also sushi, oysters, Tunisian falafel, traditional Cape Malay curry, slow-cooked leg of lamb and pancakes on offer.

The Milnerton Flea Market is a plunder of quirky collectibles, rare finds, bargain deals and other bits-and-bobs. Be sure to arrive early on a Saturday morning or you may miss out on some of the best deals. As one of the largest and oldest informal fairs in the city, the Milnerton Flea Market is home to a family of passionate traders who have been selling their wares religiously for over 20 years.

Every Friday evening between 4pm and 10pm, you can visit the Blue Bird Garage Food and Goods Market, situated in an old plane hangar in Muizenberg. This small neighbourhood market is a cosy space for small business owners and families to meet up for a jovial start to the weekend. Grab a glass of craft beer or wine while you peruse the stalls featuring steampunk jewellery, second-hand books, leather bags and bohemian dresses. When you get hungry, you can satisfy your appetite with delicious thin-based pizzas, gluten-free chocolate brownies, gourmet burgers, smoothies, healthy wraps and sushi. The market also has a large play area for children, with climbing walls, monkey bars, ropes, slides and swings to keep the little ones occupied.

The Willowbridge Slow Market in Tygervalley is a hidden treasure for lovers of natural, organic and fresh produce. Here you’ll find all the free range eggs, olives, cheese and wine that you could want, and for reasonable prices. With all this and more to choose from, it’s clear that the Mother city has all you could wish for in a shopper’s paradise. So, go on and check out our amazing Cape Town deals to book your holiday.