Abisola SalahuSunday markets are an interesting feature of Cape Town; they are part of the cultural landscape of the city. They are important to both tourists and local residents; you can get both exotic keepsakes and important everyday needs, especially for those hardworking people who are too busy during weekdays.
However, as with everything else, it is always better to know exactly where to go to get what you need; which is why someone has to write a guide about Cape Town’s bubbling Sunday Markets as you will find below.
Top 20 Best Sunday Markets In Cape Town
1. The Watershed Market
The Watershed Market is one of the most popular markets in Cape Town; it is huge, and has a wide collection of local crafts, and other items that are great to take home to family and friends, as a reminder of a visit to Cape Town.
But its not just souvenirs; this market also appeals to the eyes and to the mind. There are many artisans at work in the shops; tourists often gather to watch them produce spectacular pieces of art.
Other attractions in Watershed Market include the cafes and restaurants to rest, and refuel with an assortment of local delicacies. Some also offer free Wi-Fi so tourists can post pictures while still fresh and hot.
2. The Blue Bird Garage Food And Goods Market
The Blue Bird Garage Food and Goods Market is another popular market; this time more colorful, and yet quite bustling in nature.
This is one of the markets in Cape Town this weekend, or any weekend to check out, although it is more laid-back during the weekdays. Depending on the preferences of the individual; it can be a sparsely populated, or crowded depending on whether the visitor goes weekdays or weekends.
This market which is located in Muizenberg, Cape Town truly comes alive on Saturdays and Sundays; that is when most of the patrons come out, and the shops are fullest.
The market features keepsakes of various colors and types. Artisans are also busy making more souvenirs because there is just too much demand for the product.
The Blue Bird Garage Food And Goods Market would not be complete without the food aspect of things; there are so many restaurants, eateries and cafes located in the market, and they offer so many different kinds of dishes, including pastries and sea food.
There is enough space for kids to run around, do kids’ stuff, and one can simply not fully enjoy this market in a day.
3. Bay Harbour Market
Bay Harbour Market is located in Hout Bay, and is one of the most popular Sunday Markets in Cape Town, South Africa. Of course, like most other markets in this category, it is open during weekdays, but is most vibrant on the weekend.
The market is lively; it is full of food vendors that give the entire environment a tantalizing smell, which is just as exciting as the handmade crafts on display all around the market. It regularly has live music by some of the most exciting young musicians, and sometimes they play popular western music.
This market is all about the experience; on the menu are pizzas, burgers, Sushi, Chinese food, freshly squeezed juices, as well as cocktails, beers, wine, and plenty of bags, shoes and keepsakes.
4. The Oranjezicht City Farm Market
The Oranjezicht City Farm Market is one of the largest and most popular markets in Cape Town; the theme here is different, it is all about the taste (the home grown taste) of Cape Town.
This market showcases fresh farm products such as fruits, vegetables, tubers and animal products such as eggs & dairy. Of course, some may say they have seen all that before. What they haven’t seen, however, is the different types of foods that can be made with these fresh farm products, and that is why the restaurants and cafes are there.
The atmosphere is relaxed, and tourists can watch the chefs turn these raw foods into delicious treats. This is one of the most wholesome places to explore in Cape Town.
5. The Muizenberg Flea Market
The Muizenberg Flea Market is one of the reasons why the Muizenberg area has become a popular tourist destination. It is located at Sunrise Circle, Muizenberg, on corner M5 and Baden Powell Drive.
This is a proper local market; it is made up of around 500 stalls that sell a variety of goods from locally made crafts, to fried sea food. It is also a place to experience the real South Africa; see the local people in their real element.
This is a popular haunt for tourists; they can buy handmade junk to remind them of their visit, or fashionable beadworks.
6. Milnerton Flea Market
Milnerton Flea Market is located in Milnerton, which is just outside of Cape Town. It is an open air market; which holds on the grounds just along the road, in marine drive. It holds on Saturdays and Sundays, including public holidays.
Looking at how simple this market is, it is quite easy to dismiss it, especially on weekdays when nobody is there. That would be a mistake; Milnerton Flea Market is one of the most exciting places to visit, especially for tourists.
In this market you can find hand-made goods for keepsakes, as well as hardware, tools, books, fresh baked snacks, and lots of junk.
7. The Neighbourgoods Market
The Neighbourgoods Market is located at Albert Road, Cape Town, South Africa. This is a mix of the indoor and outdoor shopping experience; the market centers around a big building known as the Old Biscuit Mill. It holds on Saturday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m, and Sunday; 10 a.m to 3 p.m.
The Neighbourgoods Market has clothing, food, drinks, artworks, live music, so much more. It’s a great place to see the real Cape Town; the food is mostly local delicacies, and tourists like to place their orders and watch as the food is cooked.
Artists are also at work; drawing and painting to the tune of the live music. This is a very well organized market; one that first time visitors to the city try not to miss.
8. The V&A Food Market
The V&A Food Market is an un-miss able attraction; it is prominently located right on the V&A Waterfront. This is actually an everyday market; but it is just as lovely- if not even more so on Sundays.
The V&A Food Market is unaffected by weather; it is an indoor attraction. Tourists flock to this place after going shopping, or spending time wandering through the beautiful sights of the V&A Waterfront.
It is a beautiful spectacle when observed in panorama; tourists sitting patiently as the watch the food vendors create sizzling hot delicacies which they devour instantly. This is one of the key highlights of this city; one that should not be missed.
9. Mojo Market
Mojo Market is a trendy, indoor marketplace; a well-developed place of commerce and relaxation. It is located at Regent Road, Sea Point, Cape Town. It is a multi-floor building; with very good parking space, and an open area.
The market itself has food stalls (local and international), as well as bars, boutiques, and stages for live performances. There are also souvenirs; hand crafted articles and theme parties to which tourists are welcome!
10. Laurensford Market
Every Sunday from 10 a.m to 3 p.m; the Laurensford Wine Estate comes alive. This is a thriving market with more than 60 permanent stalls, and many more detachable. This is a well-designed market; it gives the visitors a kind of outdoor market appeal- many can even forget that there is a high roof protecting them.
In this market one can find all kinds of fruits and vegetables, as well as handmade crafts. For most people, it is the food that draws them in; and the chance to taste the local wines, as well as fruit juices and other drinks available.
Laurensford Market also has live music; it is provided by the many up and coming musicians, and many of them are certainly good enough for the big leagues.
11. The Blaauwkllippen Family Market
Saturdays and Sundays, turn the usually sleepy Blaauwkllippen Family estate into a beehive of activity; it is located in Stellenbosch, Cape Town. There is a fine mix of the indoor and outdoor experience; there are stalls and shops scattered around, and the core focus is on organic and sustainable food.
There are culinary surprises awaiting visitors; some of foods on offer are invented there, and the recipes are trade secrets. There are wines, a gym, and a conference house, as well as accommodation all available at this beautiful places.
Tourists like to take a mental break from everything; even though there is plenty of sitting available, many like to recline on well-maintained lawns, while they enjoy the chatter and company of loved ones.
12. Cape Points Vineyards
Cape Points Vineyards is a very beautiful place to visit; it is a producer of award winning wines. This is also a weekend food market; the food stalls offer a variety of local foods, and other cuisines such as pastries and baked foods.
Cape Points Vineyards also has an exclusive restaurant, as well as a new tasting room, where the company’s wines are on display.
This is the kind of attraction that appeals to a certain class of person; although the winery is open for everyone to explore.
13. Greenmarket Square
Greenmarket Square is perhaps the most important market in Cape Town; it was built in 1696, and is now one of the major cultural points of this city. This has been a slave market, a fruit and vegetable, market, a muster point for protests, and so on.
Greenmarket Square is beautiful and mind rending; it is a like a small pack of wood stalls contrasted by the giant multistory buildings in the background.
This market offers all kinds of things; fresh fruits and vegetables, jewelry, handcrafted keepsakes, and more than anything else; a chance to connect with the history of Cape Town. It is perhaps for this reason that it has been preserved in its original form through the years.
14. Root44
Monday to Sunday, Root44, which is located in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa, is a bustling center of activity. This is the opposite of Greenmarket Square; it is a modern building, with a much classier style.
That classier style would be nothing without originality; and that is exactly what Root44 offers in its stalls. Original South African cuisine; as well as good fruit juices, crafts, arts, and all the things one can expect from a modern market. The whole place is air-conditioned; and visitors can just spend time sitting down, watching the people go by.
15. Rondebosch Park Market
Rondebosch Park Market is an outdoor market that is located in a park. That is just great; the combination makes it possible for visitors to enjoy the park, and yet get the things they need. Win-win!
Rondebosch Park is located at the corner of Campground Road and Sandown Road. As one would expect; it is covered with trees and other plants; but they are well laid out into avenues, which means there is plenty of space for other activities such as the craft market; which is especially busy on weekends.
16. Chilled Market At The Range
Chilled Market At The Range is a local market that comes to life on the weekends; it is quite popular among tourists; they come in to enjoy the food, drinks, and music, all in the cool and serene environment of the Tokai forest.
This is a mix of the indoor and outdoor experience; there is a huge canopy which sometimes gets so crowded that many people are happy to just sit outside it.
The name is quite deceptive; there is plenty of hot food, and hot spices, rather than just chilled foods and drinks as one might expect. Maybe the chilled part has to do with the environment which is quite cool.
17. Alphen Antiques and Collectables Market
Alphen Antiques and Collectables Market is both a market and an attraction; and in both cases it is in a higher form. Alphen Antiques and Collectables Market offers something different from the cheap keepsakes that are available in the flea markets and open stalls all over Cape Town.
This is the biggest antique market in Cape Town; and has been frequented by experts and enthusiasts for many years. It is interesting to see how antiques from all over the world end up in Cape Town; and how eager tourists pick them up again; taking them all around the world.
Tourists have been surprised at the treasures they have picked up at this market; which makes it a popular haunt for discerning people.
18. Kirstenbosch Crafts Market
Kirstenbosch Crafts Market is an interesting place to visit; it is just around the Stone Cottages in Kirstenbosch Drive, Cape Town. This is a collection of over 270 individual crafters, showcasing their work in what has been described as the most beautiful outdoor location in the city.
Kirstenbosch Crafts Market is set against the background of trees and mountains; which explains why it is so good in the pictures. But before taking pictures, visitors like to look around for handmade crafts; the can range from home décor items to clothing, ornaments, kitchenware, and so on.
Then there is the food; the food is all organic and there so many delicacies on the menu. This market is open every last Sunday of the month.
19. Greenpoint Flee Market
Greenpoint Flee Market is a well-organized community effort in the Green Point, Cape Town. This market is more about crafts than anything else; there is an immense collection of keepsakes such as wooden masks, table top décor, trinkets, jewelry, pottery, kitchenware, and so many other things too many to mention.
This market is in the open air fashion that characterizes flea markets; but it also has food trucks selling sizzling hot food, and live music to which tourists like to dance.
This market is taking back its pride of place in the city; it is back and better than ever before; it was demolished when the Cape Town Stadium was built.
20. Peach Pip Farmstall And Deli
The Peach Pip Farmstall And Deli is one of the quiet, but enjoyable farmer’s markets in Cape Town on any given Sunday. The place is full of freshly harvested farm produce, including delicious fruits like apples and bananas, and grapes and so on.
It has a dining area where visitors can eat their food, and they can also enjoy watching the cooks as they prepare the meals. The menu is quite extensive; there are so many local delicacies to choose from.
This is a place in a very beautiful setting; and it is quite popular among the older visitors who want to avoid large crowds, but still enjoy all that Cape Town has to offer.
Related:
- Most Expensive Cities In Africa
- Top Biggest Stadiums In Africa
- Is South Africa A First World Country?
Closing
The best Sunday markets in Cape Town are those that offer the most balance between crafts and food. Yes, markets usually win crowds with the variety arts and crafts that they offer, but then food is just as important because it is part of the cultural heritage that makes any city what it is.
Great care has been taken to include information about what markets offer live music; however, many of these markets are still evolving; music may yet be featured in the future, even if it is not available as at the time of writing.
Hopefully, this post helps you get a real taste of Cape Town; to discover what makes this great city tick.