The Cape is home to many talented designers and master crafters who produce a wide range of quality handmade goods from beaded bags to embroidered cushion covers.

Craft & Design

The Cape is home to many talented designers and master crafters who produce a wide range of quality handmade goods from beaded bags to embroidered cushion covers.

Designs are drawn from the diverse cultures and traditions of the people living in the City and province and styles range from the traditional to the contemporary.

A tourist attraction in itself, Greenmarket Square is an intimate, cobblestone curiosity that nestles in the very heart of Cape Town. While admiring the scenic beauty and historic sights, look out for hand sewn clothing, beautiful beadwork, handcrafted jewellery, rare objets d?art and bric-a-brac galore. The crafts on display are from a number of African countries.

Cape Town's many other markets offer crafts and examples of African design that are more traditionalistic and ritualistic in nature. There are many items of sculpture, weaving and even cloth dyeing that reflect both the historical as well as the contemporary African mood. Examples of arts and crafts from every corner of the continent include soapstone carvings, woven reed works, innovative wirework creations as well as replicas of the weapons, shields and war masks of old.
The handcrafters work in media as varied as ceramics, textile treatments, leather, bead, metal and wirework, jewellery, items from recycled material and more. Products include the utilitarian  handpainted crockery, linen, jewellery, and handbags  to the purely decorative objets d'art.

Moving further afield, at the picturesque if rather remote Karoo town of Barrydale, "Oom Lotie se Winkel" (Uncle Lotie's Shop) is a treat for old colonial period curiosity seekers. Here you'll find all manner of memories from days gone by from yellowwood antiquities to pewter statuettes reflecting scenes from South Africa's Afrikaner past.

For fine homegrown country bounty visit the region's many country markets where the broadest range of the freshest produce as well as the most delicious homemade country fare can be found at the very best prices. The local tourism office in every town will advise you as to where to find the nearest market.

Treat yourself or your friends back home to unique handcrafted gifts for your kitchen, livingroom, bedroom or garden.

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

The very epitome of African chic, the V&A Waterfront is South Africa's top tourist attraction with about 10 million visitors a year.

Breathing life and pulse into the V&A Waterfront is the fact that the centuries old harbour around which it has flourished remains 100% operational. Punctuating the bustling sights and sounds of this "busy port come world class mall" are the 400 stores and about 80 restaurants and bars and countless year-round arts and culture exhibitions, musical shows, sporting challenges and entertainment designed to meet the discerning requirements of every cultural persuasion, every fun-filled passion of both the young and the young at heart.

Sunset cruise catamarans and floating restaurants are moored along the picturesque stroll towards the Nelson Mandela Gateway  the museum and point of departure for visitors to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and other South African freedom fighters were imprisoned for nearly three decades. High speed, jet-propelled catamarans leave every hour for this deeply touching tour of tribute to a living legend and South Africa's struggle for freedom from Apartheid oppression. Booking in advance is strongly advised.

The V&A Waterfront boasts a maritime museum and children can enjoy looking for semi-precious stones at the Scratch Patch, while the Clock Tower Precinct has a combination of coffee shops, clothing stores, African curio stores, jewellery stores and others. Accommodation at the Waterfront ranges from luxury apartments to five star hotels. There are office locations and luxury apartments in the residential marina. Transport to and from the Waterfront consists of buses, mini-bus taxis and taxis.

Africa's number one tourist destination, the V&A features on any self-respecting list of "things to do before you die".

Shopping Malls

Cape Town and the Western Cape have shopping malls to suit every persuasion. Each offers the visitor excellent quality and great value for money. 

Cape Town's picturesque southern suburbs are where you'll find malls that reflect the laid back atmosphere of their surroundings. These include Blue Route Centre in Tokai, Cavendish Square in Claremont, Kenilworth Centre in Kenilworth and Maynard Mall in Wynberg. The fashions are for the well-heeled and the entertainment is geared towards the modern suburban young. The scene is a cool, calm and collected escape from the buzz of the city crowds.

The pump and pulse of the Cape Town city bowl delivers shopping and entertainment hubs that attract a colourful mix of people. The Gardens Centre, V&A Waterfront, Kloof Street Shopping Centre and Long Street are the playgrounds of students, young professionals - city slickers that thrive on the energy of the inner city.

Beyond the Cape Town city centre, expect to find shopping and entertainment destinations that are big on variety and fun. Canals, picturesque promenades and fun-fairs are all part of these imaginatively crafted super malls. From tots and teens, mums and dads to grandmas and granddads, these virtual theme parks all offer something exciting for everyone. These malls include Canal Walk, N1 City Mall, Tygervalley Shopping Centre and Somerset Mall.

Moving on up the Western Cape's famed Cape Garden Route, shopping mall precincts are collections of the best of local merchandise. Visit Knysna's Woodmill Lane which is an open-air mall built around a restored Victorian timber mill. Look for the excellent handcrafted wood products and art. Plettenberg Bay is home to The Market Square shopping mall. This is the largest shopping mall along the Cape Garden Route.

In most towns in the Cape the shopping precincts are situated along the main road. You may find a collection of chain stores, antique stores, book shops, cafes and restaurants. The Local Tourism Office in each town will assist you if there is anything specific you are looking for.

Music & Jazz
Reconnect with the beat of the drum, the swing of live music, the sound of township jazz, kwaito or the crazy minstrel carnival.