Cape Town is livened by creativity, with talented artisans and craftsmen who transform their ideas into unique handmade pieces. Cape Town’s local craft markets, hidden boutique shops and (even more excitingly) hands-on crafting workshops! The city has plenty to offer, whether you’re looking for memorable souvenirs, thoughtful gifts or an opportunity to try something creative yourself. Let’s take a look at some of the city’s best craft markets, artisan shops and creative experiences.
Table of Contents
The list below is in no particular order. Each entry is equally celebrated for their achievements, and the sequence of names is arbitrary, not indicating any ranking or preference.
The Watershed 🧺


You may know about Cape Town’s iconic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, but its lively artisan market, The Watershed, showcases the best of Cape Town’s local crafts. This market creates a distinctive shopping experience and offers a peek into the City’s local art and design scene.
It features over 150 stalls selling everything from beaded toy animals to traditional high-quality clothing items and even handcrafted housewares. One of the market’s standout boutique shops is Mungo & Jemima. This rustic-chic clothing store hand-picks its range from South African clothing and accessory labels. You should also check out African Nova for their ceramics and unique showpieces.
The Watershed, Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 7 pm
Address: 17 Dock Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
Website: https://www.waterfront.co.za/area/watershed/
Contact: 021 408 7600
Long Street’s African Craft Markets 🛣️

Long Street is a buzzing location in Cape Town, known for its striking historical architecture and mix of eateries, stores, and markets. It is also home to several of Cape Town’s African craft markets, including art dealerships, souvenir stores, and wholesalers. The African Art and Crafts Market offers authentic African antiques, handcrafted beadwork, ceramics, textiles, and sculptures. This market is home to 19 curated stores, all under one roof.
The Pan-African Market showcases the best African art and has over 30 stores. You can discover handcrafted goods and art created with techniques specific to over 14 African countries. Whether you’re looking for genuine South African craftsmanship or for a taste of the entire continent, you’re spoiled for choice on Long Street.
Address: Long Street, Cape Town City Centre
Greenmarket Square 🖼️

Greenmarket Square is one of Cape Town’s oldest public spaces and is particularly popular today as a historic flea market. Home to many vendors, the market offers mainly handmade African souvenirs, crafts, and trinkets. Visiting this spot is not only fun for shopping, but the entire time is immersive, with nearby restaurants and live music, making it a lovely cultural experience.
Furthermore, the market offers unique canvas artworks, leather goods, handcrafted beaded accessories, and clothing. The market’s vendors come from every walk of life, allowing you to mingle and buy trinkets as memorabilia for the road. Also, it is a relatively budget-friendly market, especially if you’re shopping for souvenirs for the whole family!
Note: Cape Town’s city centre is a blast to explore, but please remember to be vigilant with your belongings. Do not flash any valuables, and stay safe by walking in groups.
Greenmarket Square, Opening Hours: 9 am to 4 pm daily
Address: Burg St &, Longmarket St, Cape Town City Centre, 8000
Ikwezi Art Centre 🦎


Located within Newlands’ Montebello Design Centre, the Ikhwezi Art Centre is a hidden treasure of genuine Cape Town craftsmanship. The centre includes two rondavels surrounded by a forested environment. Ikhwezi allows artists from Cape Town’s townships to interact with the public and sell their original artworks and handcrafted goods.
This small mini-market offers a wholesome, cosy shopping experience with quality goods and memorable interactions. You can buy handmade bags, coin purses and clutches from self-taught 19-year-old fashion designer Luvenni. There are also clothing pieces made with traditional fabrics, beaded jewellery and animal trinkets, fashionable crocheted pieces and more!
Ikhwezi Art Centre, Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 3 pm
Address: 31 Newlands Ave, Newlands, Cape Town
Website: https://www.montebello.co.za/ikwezi-art-centre.htm
Contact: 082 379 9762
Cape Town Food Markets 🍻


While Cape Town’s street food is a fantastic experience, the city’s food markets offer artisans an excellent opportunity to sell their goods. Visit the following markets for handcrafted souvenirs and delicious bites!
- The Neighbourgoods Market is a prime and popular spot for tourists and locals. It offers food, music, fashion, and a taste of Cape Town hospitality, especially from its artisan vendors offering delicious bites or handcrafted wares.
- Bay Harbour Market offers a mix of fashion, food and crafts. It is a definite must-visit if you’re in Hout Bay for the weekend.
- Rondebosch Park Market is an outdoor market held every second Saturday of the month. It offers unique handmade goods, from clothing and jewellery to woodwork and home decor.
- Oranjezicht City Farm is one of the most popular farmer’s markets in Cape Town. It offers delicious artisanal crafts and sustainable foods every weekend.
Imiso Ceramics 🥣


Imisio Ceramics is a contemporary African ceramics art studio showcasing hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind pieces that make gorgeous collectables. The ceramicists Zizipho Poswa and Andile Dyalvane are award-winners and aim to present a meaningful future through their work. Zizipho creates large-scale, hand-coiled sculptures depicting African womanhood and her experiences growing up in the Eastern Cape. Andile also creates large-scale pieces guided by his spiritual connection to his Xhosa ancestors.
Their phenomenal works use art techniques such as abstract colour composition, raised texture and form and Picasso influences. One particularly striking aspect is their depiction of the ancient African tradition of body scarification in their works, evoking intrigue. This art studio and store shows the best of Cape Town’s local craftsmanship.
Imiso Ceramics, Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm & Saturdays, 9 am to 3 pm
Address: 373-375 Albert Road, Unit A102, Woodstock, Cape Town
Website: https://imisoceramics.co.za/
Contact: 063 123 3000
The Alpaca Loom 🦙


The Alpaca Loom is more than a weaving studio; it is a whole experience! This farm is located just outside Paarl (an hour’s drive from Cape Town) and operates as a coffee shop and petting zoo. The Alpaca Loom team will provide you with a cup of feed for a close-up experience with these fluffy friends! You can sit back, pet some alpacas and enjoy delicious coffee, cakes and pies with a beautiful view of Table Mountain.
The Alpaca Weaving Studio offers luxurious, hand-woven scarves, blankets, ponchos and shawls! You can also watch the resident weaver artisans craft these items, all having the alpaca’s natural colour, from browns to greys. These colours make alpaca fibres very unique.
The Alpaca Loom, Opening Hours: 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Address: Suid Agter, Paarl Road, Southern Paarl
Website: https://www.alpacas.co.za/
Contact: 084 793 3666
Monkeybiz Beadwork 📿


Monkeybiz is a nonprofit social upliftment program in Island Centre dedicated to supporting traditional African beadwork and African women. Beadwork has a deep historical significance in African tradition, from spiritualism to economic exchange. However, as society has industrialised beadwork, traditional methods have taken a backseat. So, Monkeybiz employs traditional beadwork artisans from disadvantaged communities who create beautiful, artistic, one-of-a-kind pieces.
This nonprofit has around eight collections, including Cape animals, collectables, home decor, and more. There is even a lovely festive collection with miniature Christmas trees, baubles, and wreaths. You can find the beadwork of almost every native African animal of any size! These are lovely creations that require hours of hard work. If you’re interested in beadwork, it is a must-visit location and online store.
MonkeyBiz, Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm
Address: Island Centre, Cnr Paarden Eiland &, Cumberland Rd, Paarden Eiland, Cape Town
Website: https://monkeybiz.co.za/
Contact: 021 424 8263
Chandler House 🏠


Chandler House is a small gallery, store and studio on Cape Town’s historic Church Street. The house is an 18th-century Cape Georgian manor opened by renowned artist Michael Chandler to showcase his designs. Chandler’s works have been exhibited in the South African National Gallery, and his collaborations with local retail chain stores have produced rustic and whimsical textiles and houseware.
The Voorkamer Gallery overlooks the street and exhibits monthly artworks from Chandler and other works he curated. The small store provides locally created Cape Town crafts. You can purchase small trinkets, antiques, textiles and a small selection of art. The art available for purchase is by both established and emerging South African artists.
Chandler House, Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm
Address: 134 Church St, Bo Kaap, Cape Town
Website: https://chandlerhouse.co.za/
Contact: 083 271 0029
Get Crafty with these Extra Suggestions 🖍️


- Clay Cafe 🖌️ – A friendly restaurant experience with delicious meals and pottery painting experiences. This spot is beloved by locals. All you need to do is pick one of the many bisque items ranging from crockery to small sculptures, choose your tools and paint away!
Website: https://claycafe.co.za/ - Tuft Crowd ⛳ – Tuft Crowd offers a unique experience showcasing the artistry of tufting! Learn how to make your own rug using tufting tools. You can even bring your own designs! The workshops cater to all skill levels by giving step-by-step instructions and being present to help at every turn.
Website: https://tuftcrowd.co.za/ - Baikt Ceramics 💐 – This ceramics studio is a space for all, especially with its dedicated pottery workshops. There is also a soap-making workshop where you can use Cape Town botanical scents and herbs to create oil-based soaps (and soap dishes, too!).
Website: https://www.baiktceramics.com/soap - Soul Design💍 – Soul Design’s studio sells gorgeous handmade beaded jewellery, and their workshops are no less fun. Here, you can create your own custom designs or even gifts for friends and family. All materials are provided.
Website: https://souldesign.co.za/pages/studio-visits
Cape Town’s creativity offers an incredible combination of local crafts, handmade treasures and dynamic artistic experiences. Whether you’re intrigued by Cape Town’s local craft markets or the city’s artisan studios, you’ll definitely go home with a one-of-a-kind piece and an unforgettable memory. These local crafts are perfect keepsakes, gifts for friends or simply an experience for yourself. Dive in and enjoy!