Shopping in Cape Town
South Africans tend to shop in malls, which generally have a huge supermarket, every sort of shop you can imagine, several cafés and restaurants, and sometimes a cinema or two.
Almost all malls have good access (automatic doors; lifts; disabled toilets; wide, level passageways; shops with wide doors and level entry; air-conditioning; clear signage). You can also find some great restaurants inside the malls: Cape Town Fish Market and Ocean Basket are good options to look out for.
Greenmarket Square
General: Slap bang in the city centre, the Greenmarket Square market is a great place to shop for souvenirs. There are stalls galore selling anything from beautifully carved wooden bowls to brightly coloured shirts and bags. Bargaining is expected.
Access: A bit of a nightmare for anyone using a wheelchair or with mobility or visual impairments. Stalls are packed quite tightly together and the ground surface is slippery black cobbles. Stick to the stalls around the edge if possible, and go there at off-peak times. Although there are plenty of cafés and restaurants around the square, none have accessible toilets.
Contact:
- Name: Greenmarket Square
- Location: Between Shortmarket & Longmarket Streets, Cape Town
- Web: www.greenmarketsquare.com
- Location: View on Google Maps
Waterfront Craft Market
General: Located on the V&A Waterfront, this is one of the largest indoor craft markets in the country. Find top souvenirs as well as a host of 'wellness' treatments including massages and aromatherapy. Be prepared to pay top dollar for the privilege.
Access: Ground level with plenty of space between stalls. For an accessible toilet, you'll have to head back to the V&A or Clocktower malls.
Contact:
- Name: Waterfront Craft Market
- Address: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
- Tel: +27 21 408 7840
- Web: www.waterfront.co.za
- Location: View on Google Maps
V&A Waterfront Mall & Clocktower Mall
General: Located on either side of the V&A Waterfront, these shopping malls have the whole gamut of posh and international chains. The V&A is much larger, but the Clocktower Mall has the best selection of jewellery shops and some attractive cafés on the ground floor.
Access: Both malls are designed to be fully accessible, with automatic doors, escalators and lifts, accessible toilets alongside ordinary facilities, and clear signage. There are help desks in both malls and you can hire wheelchairs from the tourist information point in the Clocktower Mall – call +27 21 408 7600 to book in advance. The wheelchair hire is free, but you will need to leave a 50 rand refundable deposit.
Contact:
- Name: V&A Waterfront & Clocktower Mall
- Tel: +27 21 408 7600
- Web: www.waterfront.co.za
- Location: View on Google Maps
Canal Walk
General: The Canal Walk shopping centre is enormous and rather frightening, with 400 shops over two levels. Expect to leave exhausted (as well as 'spent'). Note that Canal Walk is fairly far from the city centre. You will need to arrange a taxi if you don't have your own transport.
Access: The whole mall is accessible for wheelchair users and shoppers with other disabilities, with lifts, accessible toilets, clear signage and level entry to all shops.
Contact:
- Name: Canal Walk Shopping Centre
- Address: Century Boulevard, Century City, Milnerton, Cape Town
- Tel: +27 21 555 4444
- Web: www.canalwalk.co.za
- Location: View on Google Maps