Shopping

You'll find a large selection of shops and hundreds of street hawkers catering to the African arts-and-crafts market, but because very little of it is produced locally, you will pay a slight premium. The better the gallery, the larger the premium. Beadwork, however, is a local tradition; a variety of beaded items is for sale at the tourism bureau, also the place to pick up an Arts & Crafts Map. But Cape Town shopping now offers a great deal more than naive wooden carvings and beaded trinkets. Sophisticated "Eurocentric" products with superb local twists are finding their way into design-savvy shops all over the world, and, from minimalist handbags made with richly patterned Nguni hides to gorgeous lamps made with polished horn or porcupine quills, you'll find them here, particularly in the De Waterkant area, for far less. For more listings, page through the annual Time Out Visitor's Guide. And remember that you are entitled to a 14% VAT refund before you leave.

De Waterkant

Created in 2001, this area has developed into the most exciting shopping precinct in town, with lovely cobbled streets, a quaint cobbled square (good protection when the wind is up), and a great selection of coffee shops and restaurants. With around 15 stores, it won't take you long, and you could start anywhere, but Jarvis and Waterkant streets and, of course, the Quarter (a cobbled square) are the core. Whatever you do, don't miss Africa Nova, Fibre Designs, or Louise Hennigs. If you're interested in art, check out VEO Gallery, 8 Jarvis St. (tel. 021/421-3278), and Lisa King Gallery, Shop B14, Cape Quarter (tel. 021/421-3738) -- the great thing about Lisa is that she combines an excellent eye with an unpretentious approach. Also see Pierre Cronje, Jarvis House (tel. 021/421-1249), who designs top-quality solid timber furniture; and India Jane, Waterkant Street, selling flowing fabrics in feminine prints.

City Center

In the heart of the city center, the cobbled Greenmarket Square (Mon-Sat 9am-4pm) is brimful of traders selling clothing, crafts, and souvenir or gift items. Weather permitting, it's worth browsing here just for the atmosphere, as well as Church Street's cobbled walkway. To get to the square, walk straight up Shortmarket Street (stop in at Streetwires at 77 Shortmarket St. to view the largest selection of wire and bead crafts in the city, or check it out at www.streetwires.co.za). Take your first left onto Long Street for the Pan African Market, probably the best place to pick up African crafts in Cape Town; a total contrast to the swanky interior of Tribal Trends, 72-74 Long St. (tel. 021/423-8008), which showcases a pricey but good selection of African-inspired design. Follow the flow of the traffic to the pedestrianized section of Church Street. Street traders deal in antiques here, and there are a number of interesting shops. Check out the Cape Gallery, 60 Church St. (tel. 021/423-5309), for fine artworks with an emphasis on plant, animal, and birdlife, and Imagenius, on the corner of Long and Church sts. (tel. 021/423-7870), specializing in contemporary South African art and ceramics; the Collector, 52 Church St. (tel. 021/423-1483), trades in the expensive end of what they term "tribal" artifacts and antiques. Don't miss African Image, on the corner of Church and Burg , and their cafe, Afro Café, where you can sample (and purchase) a range of coffees from Africa as well as a Cape Town blend -- homegrown rooibos tea mixed with elderflower and rose. Art lovers should stop in at Cape Gallery, 60 Church St. (tel. 021/423-5309), and the Association of Visual Arts, 35 Church St. (tel. 021/424-7436).

Keep walking down Church Street to St George's Mall -- a pedestrian street that runs the length of town. Buskers and street dancers perform here, and a small selection of street hawkers peddles masks and sculptures. For more options, head 1 block down to Adderley Street, cross via the Golden Acre, and browse the station surroundings, where the streets are paved with wood and soapstone carvings. It's also paved with pickpockets, so don't carry valuables here. If you've had your fill of African crafts, head back up to Long Street and walk toward the mountain. This is the city's most interesting shopping street -- lined with Victorian buildings, Long Street houses antiques shops, galleries, gun shops, porn outlets, hostels, and cafes/bars, as well as Turkish baths. Be on the lookout for Baobab Mall, 210 Long St., for more African arts and crafts.

Waterfront

Shopping here is a far less satisfying experience than in the bustling streets of town or the gentrified cobbled streets of De Waterkant; at the end of the day, Victoria Wharf is simply a glam shopping center with a nice location. There are, however, a few gems, like Out of Africa (next to Exclusive Bookshop), for a fantastic, albeit pricey, range of items from all over the continent. And if you're looking for a dress or shirt that will really make heads turn -- we're talking uniquely African designer wear -- head straight upstairs for Sun Goddess (tel. 021/421-7620). Outside the shopping center, in the old offices of the Port Captain (on the way to the Clock Tower), is the truly excellent selection of sculptures, jewelry, tableware, textiles, ceramics, and furniture at the African Trading Post, Pierhead, Dock Road (tel. 021/419-5364); spread over three stories, this is worth a visit even if you're not buying.