Greenmarket Square

Greenmarket Square is a cobbled public square in the Cape Town City Centre, on Shortmarket Street, and has hosted traders since the 1700s. Today it is one of the city's best-known craft markets, with roughly 150 stalls set out beneath umbrellas and surrounded by Art Deco and Cape Georgian buildings, including the Old Town House. The goods are African in character: beadwork, leather bags and belts, jewellery, carved wooden figures, wire art, printed textiles, masks, soapstone and general curios from South Africa and neighbouring countries. Many stalls sell the same mass-produced souvenirs, so the ratio of tourist trinkets to genuinely handmade pieces is high, and the better items are found by asking the vendor who made them and how. Quality varies widely from stall to stall, and visitors who want something distinctive should compare several stalls before buying. Bargaining is expected: opening prices are often well above the final price, and a friendly counter-offer is normal practice, with a lower price usually offered for several items bought together. Cash in South African rand is the most reliable payment, although many traders now accept card or have a card machine on request, and small notes help when haggling. Foreign visitors can claim VAT back on qualifying purchases above the refund threshold at the airport, but individual stalls rarely issue the invoices needed, so larger shops nearby are better for refund-eligible goods. The atmosphere is lively and busy during the day, especially when cruise ships are in port, with vendors calling out to passers-by. Food is available from cafes and restaurants lining the square rather than inside the market itself, and the surrounding streets of the city centre offer more eating options. The market runs most days from roughly 9AM to 4PM, though hours vary and Sunday trading can be limited. Visitors should keep valuables secure in the crowd, as in any busy city centre location.