Flea Markets, Cape Town

There are plenty of items to buy at a reasonable price. However, I was yelled at by a vendor (selling beads) for taking pictures of my children inside the shopping area. She said that I should not be just snapping pictures and must buy goods or leave. I left.

The place was not as full. I've been here before several times, and found it much less pleasant than in previous years.

What to buy: Leather goods, guitars and instruments made of recycled material, rock and wood craftwork, paintings, and novelty items.

What to pay: Mostly reasonable. Paintings can cost R1,500, leather crafts around the same. I did see some great prices for Springbok skins (R250).

There are lots of really cool, locally made goods available for sale at Cape Town's flea markets, or just along the sides of the roads. But the Greenmarket Square Flea Market (located downtown), is the major flea market and a great spot to buy souvenirs or gifts for yourself.

What to buy: You'll find lots of beautiful, locally made items like beaded jewelry, clothing, wooden salad bowls and salad tongs, carved wooden animal figurines, woven cloth blankets, hand-painted fabrics and much more.

What to pay: You can certainly bargain with the vendors, but all of the goods are already quite inexpensive.

This market is right in the centre of town and is open everyday I believe. The market is a reasonable size but is also surrounded by good shops.

What to buy: A lot of local art is available along with carvings and locally made jewelry. The prices in the market can be negotiated although the shops are a bit firmer.

What to pay: Things are quite cheap here although I am sure you could find cheaper out of town. But this place is convienient and fun.

The Talent Exchange is unique in Cape Town in that it is a market where no Rands change hands! Everything is bought and sold using the local currency of the Cape Town Community Exchange System (CES). You need to have an account on the system before you can participate but you can join at the markets and find out how the system works.

What to buy: You can buy most things that you would buy at any other market: goods, food, clothing, books, crafts, etc. Often you can get a treatment from one of our many practitioners and enjoy fine music. Best of all come and enjoy the joyful spirit of trading without using conventional money, and make friends at the same time!

What to pay: No Rands accepted! Buy goods and services with Talents, the local currency of the Cape Town Community Exchange System. One Talent is more or less equal to one Rand.

I haven’t been here for many years but there is still a market. It is in the Green Point Stadium's car park. You will find things like African souvenirs, second-hand books and all sorts of bric a brac. Entertaining buskers create a cheerful, relaxed atmosphere. Open on Sundays

In the greenmarket you will find all kind of African crafts (most of them South African crafts). You have to bargain here to get the best prices. I think is one of the cheapest places of the country to buy souvenirs to take home! It is right in the centre of the town.

Greenmarket square is located in the city centre between Long and Adderley streets. It opens early morning till 4pm during the week and Saturdays till 1pm. Here you can browse through loads of stalls where craftsmen and women sell various artifacts such as jewelery, masks, leather goods, tourist t-shirts, wood and stone sculptures and all sorts of Africanized clothing. Very reasonable pricing too.

What to buy: Any bangles or necklaces

What to pay: Depending on what you purchase. R20 - R30 (£1.50 - £2) for a necklace...to £50 for a pair of boots.

Greenmarket square is by far the best and cheapest place to pick up souvenirs from your trip.

What to pay: All prices are negotiable. Expect to pay 50-70% of the first price quotes