3 Places to Visit for Luxury Shopping in South Africa

If you’re a person who enjoys shopping then you have to explore what South Africa has to offer at least once in your lifetime. From swanky boutiques to department stores to streets lined with designer shops, luxury shopping in South Africa will leave you amazed. Here, you’ll find everything that a discerning buyer could want, whether it is dazzling jewellery or even fine food.

With that said, let’s explore the three places to visit for luxury shopping in South Africa. These are the destinations known to be havens for serious shoppers.

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1. Cape Town

V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Photo/ African Travel Canvas.

At the very top of destinations to go for luxury shopping in South Africa is Cape Town. Known to be an ideal place for the well-heeled to shop, Cape Town is a city which offers some of the most stunning shopping malls, boutique stores and plenty of private online shopping options. From international brands to homegrown artisans or local creatives, Mother City has pretty much whatever you’re looking for.

One of the shopping hubs you must explore is the Victoria & Albert Waterfront, which is magnificently located on the Atlantic Ocean overlooking a bustling harbour. Some of the popular brands with shops here include Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton and Emporio Armani. If you’re looking for jewellery, then Chopard and Shimansky got you covered.

2. KwaZulu-Natal

Located on the northeast coast of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal is known as the Garden Province and is home to the Zulu nation. It is one of the most popular destinations in South Africa not only because of the various tourist hotspots here but also because it is an ideal shopping destination.

If you want to experience luxury shopping in South Africa then start at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, which is one of the largest shopping centres in the whole country. Gateway has everything you need, from world-class fashion stores dealing in designer clothes and heels to waffle bars and waterslides meant for leisure and entertainment.

Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Photo/ Issuu.

Other places you can go shopping at KwaZulu-Natal include Pavillion Shopping Mall, Boardwalk Mall, uShaka Village Walk and the Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market. Since KwaZulu-Natal is a popular hub for tourism, ensure you explore some of the impressive wildlife reserves and national parks, for a chance to spot South Africa’s unique wildlife.

KwaZulu-Natal borders Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho, and is roughly the size of Portugal. It boasts a stunning Indian Ocean coastline stretching from Zinkwazi Beach in the north to Zimbali near Ballito in the south.

3. Johannesburg

One place you can’t fail to mention when talking about luxury shopping in South Africa is Johannesburg. Nicknamed Egoli or Jozi, which means “place of gold”, Johannesburg has some of the most lavish shopping malls in the Southern Hemisphere where the elite and fashion-forward meet to enjoy the most exclusive retail shopping.

One of the popular shopping hubs in Johannesburg is Sandton City, which houses both local and international brands, including Prada, Giorgio Armani and Ermenegildo Zegna. Other destinations to explore in Jozi include Arts on Main, The Factory on Grant, Essential Life, The Maboneng Precinct, African Craft Market and The Zone @ Rosebank.

Sandton City is one of the top places to visit for luxury shopping in South Africa. Photo/ House on Morninghill Accommodation.

The best place to go to explore Jozi’s creative community is Arts on Main. Here, you’ll find a collection of art galleries, artists’ studios, restaurants, and shops. The space usually hosts a market every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. where you can purchase everything, from ice-cold beer to books.

If you feel hungry when in Johannesburg, don’t hesitate to branch at the Nelson Mandela Square which has been a favourite for both locals and tourists over the years. Here, you’ll come across some of the finest restaurants serving both local and international cuisines.