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Informal Markets, Cape Town

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Informal Markets, Cape Town
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Cape Town Shopping: Informal Markets tips, reviews and photos posted by real travelers and Cape Town locals.
Informal Markets
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Informal Markets: Flower sellers.
  • Tip Rating:
  • Flower sellers are to be be found in nearly all of the suburbs in Cape Town. The most popular venue to find these flower sellers are on the Parade in Central Cape Town and have been around for years. The flower sellers are normally very pleasant and friendly and will help you with whatever you need. Cape Town will almost seem strange without them. You will also find your favourite pot plant in the street. Ready to take home!

    Flowers!

    Much less than the supermarkets and chain stores.

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  • Theme: Flowers
  • Address: In all Suburbs. Mainly on The Parade.
  • Directions: This picture was taken in the Southern Suburbs. (Rondebosch)

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    Informal Markets: Curio's or curiosity?
  • Tip Rating:
  • Buy some of the best local craft here. - Cape Town
    Buy some of the best local
    craft here.
    by luckyzen, 1 more photos
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    Where else in South Africa would you find gifts to buy for yourself, friends or loved ones on top of a mountain other than Cape Town. These little markets, mainly aimed at the tourists, you will find some of the finest local crafts. Along with that, you will have a chance to stop your vechile and enjoy the most breathtaking view of Nordhoek Beach from this spot. Who can ask for a better view while shopping!

    The choice is yours!

    Bargain....You might get your gift at a much lower price.

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  • Theme: Local Craft
  • Directions: On the mountain leading to Chapmans Peak.

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    Informal Markets: Craft Market near Red Hill
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  • Giraffe sculptures at the Red Hill craft market. - Cape Town
    Giraffe sculptures at the Red
    Hill craft market.
    by DesertRat
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    This craft market, which is located along the highway just outside Red Hill on the Cape Peninsula, is chock-a-block with quite respectably crafted sculpture, both in stone and in wood. Items range from very small statues of animals such as rhinos and hippos to huge wood figures representing both animals and people. It's certainly worth a stop, though if you buy something, make sure you haggle at least a little, even if the prices do seem to be quite low.

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  • Theme: Art

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    Informal Markets: Local craft and ethnic artistry
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  • While admiring the scenic beauty and historic sights of Cape Town on your meanderings, look out for hand sewn clothing, beautiful ethnic beadwork, handcrafted jewellery and handcareved sculpures. Important to remember is that the person who is selling the art and crafts may be feeding a family of 20 members with whatever he brings home that night (as unemployment is high in the region), so where on the one hand I advocate bartering and negotiating, on the other hand, do so not too harshly, only if the cost seems ridiculous to you. It is often very subjective too (the worth of an artwork) and hard to put a price on an artists time and talent.

    Examples of arts and crafts from all over Africa are found here, not only South African craft, and this includes soapstone carvings, woven reed works, wirework creations (a personal favourite you might well imagine if you know my personal website haha) as well as replicas of the weapons, shields and war masks. The handcrafters and artists work in media as varied as ceramics, textile treatments, leather, bead, metal and wirework, jewellery, items from recycled material and more. Their work is an inspiration.

    Prices differ hugely. For a 1 metre tall handcarved girraffe made of jackleberry wood expect to pay at least R200.

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  • Theme: Local Craft
  • Address: Various locations on the peninsula

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    Informal Markets: Sculpture market on the roadside
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  • When you drive through Kommetjie and Scarborough, you happen upon an informal market that sells all kinds of sculptures.

    This picture is an example of the type of things they have on offer. The sculptures are of a very high standard, the sculptors very talented. There are small items too, but there are MANY large ones, which must weight a tonne! They are popular with foreigners though, although for me personally, the cost of flying/shopping such a huge and heavy item would put me off buying it. As a local, of course it would be fine to buy! No worries re transportation.

    They are expensive in as much as they are worth alot, but are inexpensive when paying with foreign currency

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  • Theme: Local Craft
  • Directions: It is situated at a junction that takes you to Simons Town if you turn left, and to Cape Point if you continue along to the right.

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    Informal Markets: Roadside crafts
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  • You’ll find unique handcrafted items at many roadside stalls along Cape Town’s main roads and scenic drives. Don’t just stop at the first one you see – it’s worth shopping around because as the quality varies, so does the price. Most vendors will be happy to barter with you.

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  • Theme: Local Craft
  • Directions: Driving along the Atlantic coast from Camps bay to Cape Point you will find a lot of stalls.

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    Informal Markets: Excellent handicrafts
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  • People from South Africa and neighboring countries bring their crafts here.

    Masks, handpainted ostrich eggs, woodcarvings, malachite carvings?, clothes, etc. etc.

    Bargain, but everybody has got to make a living.

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  • Theme: Local Craft

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    Informal Markets: African Curios
    If you're looking to buy traditional African curious such as wooden giraffes or hippos or any other sculpture - drive out of the city towards Cape Point. Along the way you'll find plenty of roadside traders who sell items much cheaper than the exclusive mall shops. You can even see some works in progress and often can bargain a price. There's even a life size sculpture of a hippo which would set you back about £3000 - and then the dilemma of where to put it!

    Anything that you like the look of.....

    Btwn £4 to £3000 depending on your bargaining skills!

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  • Theme: Local Craft

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    Informal Markets: Greenmarket Square
    Greenmarket Square has become a huge open-air African market, selling textiles, handicrafts and artwork from all over Africa. It?s a place heaving with activity all day, every day, and is an attractive place to linger even if you are not buying anything.

    Africana of al kinds. An amazing variety of textiles, wooden and leather crafts - some of it beautiful, some of it just rubbish. All is sold with style, panache and a smile.

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  • Theme: Local Craft

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    Informal Markets: Defending the cave man
    The informal markets is a great place to visit and find something special to take home. Less expensive than buying it in a shop and the quality is exactly the same. You are just buying directly from the suppliers

    The zulu war shield makes a nice display on the wall.

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  • Theme: Local Craft

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