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Simon's Town is a worthwhile stop for antique's and quirky objects |
Cape Town shops have something for everyone and it?s relatively well priced for international travellers. If, however, you?re looking for International brands (particularly clothing brands) to be cheaper here then think again. From experience they seem to be either the same price or more expensive in Cape Town and things that are considered ?high-street? overseas are positioned in the exclusive boutique stores here. Best to stick to local goods or fashions. Jewellery is particularly inexpensive as most of South Africa?s talented goldsmiths and jewellery designers reside in the Mother City. If African art and souvenirs are you?re thing then you won?t be disappointed with every street corner and shopping mall selling wares from the all over Africa. Most stores will accept your international credit cards and travellers cheques and there?s ATM machines in abundance.
Canal Walk (a 10 minute drive on the N1 heading North from the city centre) is big. It?s more like a super-mall and with over 400 shops it has pretty much everything you?d ever want to buy. Despite having over 6,500 parking bays and being open from 9am - 9pm it can get very busy, especially on rainy weekends or leading up to Christmas so be prepared for crowds. The mall is enormous so it?s best to plan your route using one of the many information boards. Situated in the middle is a huge arena of fast food outlets, TV screens, multiplex cinema and a giant stage where they will often have promotional shows or exhibitions. Last Christmas they turned it into a winter wonderland with skating rink and dog sled rides for the kids and probably the biggest (fake) Christmas tree on the planet. All in all Canal Walk is a mecca for shopping mall lovers, it?s big, brash and busy.
This isn?t technically what you?d call ?high street shopping? but just a quick mention for Fruit and Veg City. It used to be exactly that, a huge, often uninviting warehouse of fruit and veg, mountains of the stuff piled row upon row in colourful abundance. Well the Fruit and Veg City chain have had, or rather are having, a makeover. Sure they still have the mountains of fruit and veg but now they have deli?s, fruit and nut counters, chocolate fountains and for me the best thing since sliced bread, it involves taking all the stuff you?ve put in your trolley to ?shortcuts? where they?ll chop, peel, dice, slice and then pack it for you completely free of charge.
Willowbridge (39 Carl Cronje Drive, TygerValley. Tel: +27 (0) 21 914 7218) is the most leisurely shopping mall in Cape Town (about 30 mins drive North from the City Centre). Situated along the greenbelt of the Elsiekraai river, Willowbridge is an open-air shopping and lifestyle experience. Not so great when it rains but when the sun shines (which it does a lot in Cape Town) you can while away the hours sipping coffee (or something stronger), having lunch in one of the many cool cafes and restaurants or just wander around the boutiques and home ware stores. It?s not as big as Canal Walk or Claremont and the shops are more boutique than mainstream but if you?re shopping just because you can then this is the place for you. If you?re travelling from Cape Town then be sure to take the slightly longer route back to town through the Durbanville Hills for some stunning scenery. (By the way Willowbridge also has the best Woolworths for home wares in Cape Town!).
Cavendish Square in Claremont (Tel: +27 (0) 21 657 5620) has over 200 shops, 16 cinema screens, 19 restaurants and coffee shops and over 1,500 parking bays. It?s where Capetonians in the Southern Suburbs go to shop and has all the latest fashions and brands. It is now linked by ?Sky bridges? across Dreyer Road to it?s sister shopping mall aptly named Cavendish Connect. This offers more of the same high street retail therapy as well as international concept stores and fashion boutiques such as India Jane (eclectic mix of hippie chic) and YDE (Young designers emporium, a showcase of local South African clothing and accessory designers). Be warned though, Claremont is a very busy central location and with shops on street level it?s easy to get lost if you?re unfamiliar.
Constantia Village (Tel: +27 (0) 21 794 5065) set in the heart of Constantia?s vineyards has over 80 clothing, shoe, jewellery, music and foods shops as well as the big names such as Woolworths and Pick n Pay (actually the best Pick n Pay in Cape Town). It gets very busy at weekends and it?s the only place in Cape Town where finding a parking space can be stressful. However, once you find a parking space go to Melissa?s (Constantia Courtyard, Tel: +27 (0) 21 794 4696) for coffee and something to eat, you won?t be disappointed. They produce the finest handmade and wholesome food in Cape Town using only the best and most natural ingredients. You can also order the most decadent and delicious cakes for special occasions. It?s fairly pricey by Cape Town standards but the quality speaks for itself.
Victoria Wharf (V&A Waterfront) has over 400 shops and is perfect for a day of shopping and site seeing. As well as local and international stores there are small African craft stalls to buy your souvenirs. Across the swing bridge from the Pierhead is The Clock Tower Centre which houses South African crafts, arts and designs is also home to an SA Tourism centre where you can pick up or book day trips, safari?s, events and accommodation. If crafts are your thing then check out the The Red Shed Craft Workshop for eclectic and hand-made goods. (I particularly like the Electric guitar made out of an old Castrol GTX can ... it plays just like a Fender!). The street entertainers also give the Waterfront a very African feel and don?t forget your camera, the views of Table Mountain are some of the best in Cape Town.
Greenmarket Square is a vibrant and colourful African craft and curios market in the heart of the City Bowl. The area used to be a slave market and then a fruit and veg market but now serves as a good place to hear, see and then buy the arts of Africa such as painted fabrics, wood carvings, clothing, drums and jewellery. Around the edges of the market are numerous cafe?s and coffee shops once you?ve finished haggling over your purchases.
Cape Quarter (72 Waterkant Street, Green Point) reminds me of Covent Garden in London. It?s not a place you go to shop for day-to-day goods it?s a place you window shop or eat and drink at the Piazza. Set in lovely Cape Malay architecture with a touch of modern Cape Town cool it offers a relaxed and vibey environment to while away the afternoon.
Wembley Square (Gardens) is a Sunday afternoon or chilling out with friends kind of place. There's a few exclusive shops including one of the best bikini shops in Cape Town but these are almost outnumbered by the number of restaurants and cafe's to choose from. From Sushi or Pizza to healthy wraps at Crush it's the perfect place to meet and chat. There's even the occassional live music to add to that Sunday morning feeling.
Imhoff farm (Kommetjie, Southern Peninsula about 40 mins from the City Centre) has a cheese dairy and farm shop offering country meals served in the Courtyard. Opposite is the Blue Water cafe which has one of the best views of Noordhoek beach and Chapmans peak you?ll see. Imhoff is great for kids too ... although there?s not much to buy there are small craft shops and jungle gyms to keep them busy. Imhoff is also home to 3 camels where for around R30 you can pretend you?re Lawrence of Arabia for a few minutes. And if snakes are your thing you can see all of Cape Towns favourites slippery creatures at the Snake & Reptile park.
Kalk Bay (Main Road, Southern Peninsula about 30 mins from the City Centre) is perfect for picking up antiques, pottery, arts or eclectic fashion on a good old-fashioned Cape Town street.
Milnerton Flea market (R27 West Coast Road) has a mixed bag of collectable goodies and car boot sale rubbish but well worth a visit if bargain hunting is your thing. Open every Saturday and Sunday, 7am - 4pm, but it?s best to arrive early for the real bargains.
Roadside stalls and vendors - budding African entrepreneurs can be seen at makeshift roadside stalls or traffic lights selling their wares. Popular items are wire beaded animals ranging in size from small flowers for a few Rand to almost life-size springbok and penguins. The weirdest I?ve seen is near Muizenberg with a traffic light vendor trying to sell 7ft metal sculpture giraffes. If shopping on the move is your thing then please remember to be cautious at traffic lights, don?t leave cellphones or valuables within arms reach and if in doubt then keep your window up, you can always buy exactly the same products at any shopping mall or market.
Neighbourhoods market (The old biscuit mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock. Tel: +27 (0) 861 009 900) Open Saturdays from 9am - 2pm the Neighbourhoods market is fantastic. Sample some of the the fresh local produce, regional organic foods, hand-made cheeses, wood-fired breads, luxury beers and speciality fine-foods on offer. There are also local designers, vintage & collectibles and live music. Sit at the big communal tables and enjoy your eats and drinks (the home-made ginger beer is a must). You can also take along your recyclables to the sorting depot on site. It does get busy and so best to arrive early especially with small children. |
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