Join us in this breathtaking journey through a world of beauty as we explore luxury shopping in Cape Town. Nestled at the southwestern tip of South Africa between the famous Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is one of the most visited destinations in Africa. Apart from the numerous tourist attractions scattered all around the city, many people travel to Cape Town for the purpose of shopping.
The Mother City is a shopping hub with hundreds of shopping centres and boutique stores where shoppers can find luxury goods to take back home, from designer clothes to household items to expensive jewellery. With that intro, let’s explore five spots to experience luxury shopping in Cape Town.
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1. V&A Waterfront
V&A Waterfront. Photo/ African Travel Canvas.
Arguably the most popular destination for luxury shopping in Cape Town, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront offers a real opulence shopping experience for locals and tourists alike. There are over 450 retail stores here where you can purchase glamorous clothes, souvenirs, gifts and curios to take home with you. Some of the global brands found at V&A Waterfront include Nike, Lacoste, Gucci, The Diamond Experience and Carrol Boyes.
Apart from shopping, visitors to V&A Waterfront have plenty of entertainment options to enjoy, including sunset cruises along the Atlantic Ocean. There’s no end of dining activities here as numerous restaurants are serving local and international cuisines. V&A has something for everyone, which explains why it receives over 24 million visitors annually.
2. Gardens Shopping Centre
Gardens Shopping Centre is another destination to explore if you want to do luxury shopping in Cape Town. This vibrant cosmopolitan has numerous shops selling different items such as clothing, arts and crafts, and business service stores offering flight bookings, banking, Forex, hardware and stationery. There are also two grocery chains to get your daily essentials as well as cafes where you can just meet friends, relax or even study.
Gardens Shopping Centre. Photo/ Gardens Centre Holiday Apartments.
3. Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village
Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village, located in the heart of De Waterkant in Green Point is a sophisticated retail centre with specialty boutiques and relaxed restaurants to enjoy your favourite meal. Here, you can purchase the latest fashion, jewellery & accessories, hair, health & beauty products, and electronics. This leading destination for luxury shopping in Cape Town is usually open seven days a week.
4. Canal Walk Shopping Centre
Canal Walk is one of the largest shopping centres not only in South Africa, but the whole continent. There are numerous boutiques in the building and iconic names such as Hugo Boss, Nike and The Body Shop have shops here. Apart from shopping, you can also dine in one of their restaurants and fast food stores or just chill with your kids at the entertainment centre watching the latest blockbusters.
5. Merchants on Long
Merchants on Long. Photo/ Conde Nest Traveler.
Merchants on Long is a historic building on Long Street that opened in 2010 and showcases pan-African design. The building houses shoes, clothing, and homeware and is said to be the first concept store to shine a light on the breadth of African fashion and design under one roof. African fashion brands with shops inside Merchants on Long include Kenya’s Zuri, Ethiopia’s Lemlem and South Africa’s Akina, just to mention a few.
6. Cavendish Square
Any article about luxury shopping in Cape Town would be incomplete without Cavendish Square. Nestled in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, this popular shopping hub is a premier fashion destination with over 180 stores dealing in a range of merchandise ranging from the latest fashion trends to interior decor. The shopping environment also has several restaurants for shoppers to dine in and cinemas for the purpose of entertainment.
7. Kalk Bay
Named the coolest neighbourhood in the world back in 2018, Kalk Bay boasts some incredible shopping destinations. This warm and quirky seaside village is home to vintage clothing markets, vintage bookstores, antique shops and bohemian trinket stores. Before you start shopping, spend time exploring the art galleries, musical theatres and charming restaurants in the area.
Shopping in Kalk Bay. Photo/ Cape Tourism.
What Are the Best Streets For Shopping in Cape Town?
There are several iconic streets in Cape Town considered top destinations for shopping. However, the best streets for shopping according to sources are Long Street, Bree Street and Kloof Street.
What Is the Best Place to Shop Luxury?
- Via Montenapoleone (Milan, Italy)
- Bond Street (London)
- Orchard Road (Singapore)
- Rodeo Drive (Beverly Hills, California)
- Champs Elysees (Paris)
- Fifth Avenue (New York)
- Central (Hong Kong)
- Tretyakovsky Proezd (Moscow)
What Are the Luxury Brands in South Africa?
- Rolex
- Cartier
- Chanel
- Hermes
- Louis Vuitton
- Dior,
- Balenciaga
- Gucci
- Bulgari
- Christian Louboutin
Are Clothes Cheaper in South Africa?
Clothes are relatively cheaper in South Africa compared to the majority of the countries in Europe, North America and Asia. Mid-range jeans in South Africa go for about R780, while a summer dress in a chain store can cost you roughly R500.
