Cape Town isn’t just a travel destination, it is a collection of experiences! Bring home all sorts of souvenirs from your Cape Town holiday, from its local crafts to flavours, you’re spoiled for choice. This guide will show you the most popular and lesser-known gems that will remind you of the city long after you’ve left. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for a gift, these Cape Town souvenirs are perfect for keeping the memories alive.
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.
Rooibos 🍵
Rooibos is one of South Africa’s most popular exports, and there’s good reason for that! This delicious, caffeine-free tea is usually grown in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape. It’s a staple in every South African home, typically enjoyed with a splash of milk or with lemon and honey. Rooibos is the perfect edible souvenir from Cape Town; taste the city with every sip!
Beyond being a delicious tea, Rooibos is packed with antioxidants and used in skincare products and baked goods. Rooibos-infused skincare is wholly unique and has anti-fungal, anti-viral, and antibacterial properties. It’s also perfect for sensitive skin and smells fantastic. You can find Rooibos tea in most of Cape Town’s grocery stores and skincare products at local pharmacies such as Dischem and Clicks!
Wire Art 🦎
Wire art began as a practice of people in rural communities and townships using discarded wire to create toys and trinkets. It has evolved and spread across the country; to this day, it is a thriving art form! You’ll see artisans across Cape Town creating wire art of everything from detailed animals to colourful flowers, keychains and baskets.
This is an ideal Cape Town souvenir as it’s lightweight, easy to pack and beautiful to display. It can be incredibly distinctive depending on where you purchase it. There are dedicated wire art stores like Streetwires, but you’ll also see stalls in craft markets or near local beachfronts selling these trinkets! Support Cape Town’s local artisans whilst purchasing this perfect souvenir.
Local Jewellery 💍
Cape Town’s jewellery reflects the city’s natural beauty and creative spirit. Luxurious jewellers such as Shimansky use conflict-free South African diamonds and brilliant Tanzanite gemstones in beautiful blue, violet, and purple hues! Tanzanite is extremely rare and increases in value yearly because its mining site is small compared to other gemstones. Uwe Koetter also offers luxury jewellery with bespoke South African-inspired designs.
If you’re looking for handcrafted jewellery, Cape Town has a lot to offer. Pichulik is a jewellery and accessories atelier at the V&A Waterfront offering African-inspired pieces. Cape Town’s markets, such as Bay Harbour Market, Greenmarket Square, and The Neighbourgoods Market, also offer handmade beaded jewellery crafted by local artisans.
Fynbos-Infused Products 🪻
Fynbos is a unique plant species that grows only in the Western Cape, making it one of the world’s most diverse plant kingdoms! This plant species includes South Africa’s national flower, proteas, as well as ericas and restios. Fynbos is largely what makes Cape Town’s flora so unique. In addition to its beautiful colours and captivating scents, it also offers many beneficial properties in cooking and essential oils.
Honeybush and wild rosemary are a part of the fynbos family and make delicious additions to meals and teas. You can’t take that home with you, but you can pick up fynbos-infused salts, syrups, vinegar, and cocktail herbs from South African Fynbos or local markets! Buchu oil, made from fynbos, offers anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities, making it perfect for a great massage if you enjoy using essential oils!! Fynbos-infused gin is also a hit with locals and tourists!
Cape Malay Spice Blends 🫚
For food lovers and aspiring chefs, Cape Malay spice blends are a fantastic souvenir. They offer a taste of Cape Town’s diverse culinary flavours right at home! The Cape Malay community is known for its distinctive cultural heritage, which is reflected in its foods. With flavours from Southeast Asia, India, and Africa, their aromatic spice blends will bring the world right to your kitchen.
If you had a taste of Cape Town’s traditional foods, such as boboties, curries, pickled vegetables or even desserts, you have tasted how flavourful Cape Malay food can be! These spice blends include ingredients like coriander, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves with a hint of sweetness and spice. You can purchase these blends in small jars (perfect for packing) from local markets, grocery stores or spice shops around the city!
Leather Goods 👝
South Africa’s exceptional leather craftsmanship is world-famous, and Cape Town stands out with a variety of top-quality leather products. Known for their durability, leather items reflect the artisans’ meticulous attention to detail and style. There’s a wide range of choices, from bags and belts to wallets and keychains. South African leather is often made from locally sourced hides, including those of ostrich, springbok, and cattle.
Leather products from Cape Town make perfect souvenirs that can be used daily because of their longevity and practicality. You can purchase leather goods from the city’s markets and craft villages such as the Watershed or Greenmarket Square. There are boutique shops and local brands such as Cape Cobra and Rowdy Bags for high-end options.
Wine 🍷
Cape Town and the surrounding Cape Winelands produce some of the world’s finest wines that only get better over time. The Cape Winelands’ unique environment leads to a diverse array of wines and wine styles, ensuring there is something for every palate. Many Cape wine estates have been producing for centuries and are staples to sommeliers all over the world.
The Cape’s speciality is Chenin blanc varieties, especially the MCC! These sparkling white wines rival champagne and are perfect to keep around for special occasions. They can be stored for around 15 to 60 months, but be sure to look them up for your MCC of choice before buying. Another option with longevity is red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux blends.
Driftwood Sculptures 🪵
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind souvenir, driftwood sculptures are the way to go! When you’re leaving the city, you’re sure to miss Cape Town’s beaches the most. So, sculptures carved from pieces of wood naturally shaped by the ocean are memorable trinkets connected to the city’s coastal wonder. Some sculptures try not to alter the driftwood too much to keep the shape but add details to create something new!
Driftwood sculptures add Cape Town’s rugged charm to your home while supporting local artisans. You can find these pieces at local markets or boutique galleries near the coast. Unique Driftwood Creations at the Watershed in V&A Waterfront offers sculptures of birds, marine life, and humans made from driftwood, petrified wood, and scraps.
African Tribal Masks 🌍
African Tribal masks are iconic souvenirs for those interested in Cape Town’s deep cultural heritage. These masks are hand-carved by skilled artisans and often represent ancestral spirits or revered animals. They are intricately designed with tribal patterns and symbols, making each one unique! You can choose between bold and colourful or natural, earthy pieces, but either way, they will bring an authentic piece of African artistry into your home.
These masks can be found at local markets such as Greenmarket Square and the African Crafts Market on Long Street. To support Cape Town’s artisans directly, it is recommended that you buy the masks from local vendors and boutique stores. You may have fun researching the symbolism behind patterns, carving styles, and resources. Or you can ask the artisans themselves!
Clothing 👗
Cape Town showcases high-end luxury fashion alongside unique local designs celebrating South African culture and heritage. The city’s fashion scene is phenomenal, and wearables are one of the best souvenirs because you can show them off everywhere you go! Mungo and Jemima at the V&A Waterfront is a local favourite featuring an extensive collection of clothing and accessories from South African fashion brands.
While at the waterfront, you can check out Patricia Nama’s stall. The stall specialises in women’s and children’s clothing made from African-printed fabrics sourced from all over Africa. These pieces are handmade, and off-cuts are used for wallets and bags, also found in-store! You can also find lovely clothing pieces from local craft markets, though they might not be as durable.
Cape Town is full of souvenirs that capture Cape Town perfectly. Whether you want to sip rooibos tea at home, showcase art, revitalise your cooking or walk out in style, each item has a slice of Cape Town charm. Remember every experience with these souvenirs and trinkets, or gift them to your loved ones. The city’s local artisans are hard at work creating these art pieces, flavours, and memorabilia to ensure you always have a piece of Cape Town with you!
