Category: explore

For anyone with kids, you will know that planning a family activity is a lot more difficult than it used to be. Making sure the young ‘uns are well looked after is one thing, but keeping them occupied and happy is something else entirely. But this is something Cape Town is really good for - so here's a HUGE list of awesome things to do …

• For lots more ideas, see: capetownkids.co.za and a helpful area-specific list of 101 things to do with kids in Cape Town

Cape Town is a shopper’s dream with a wide range of luxury boutiques and shopping malls to choose from. However, a more fun and interesting shopping outing experience is to be found in the city's markets. Market shopping is popular with the locals, who love nothing more than to browse the selection of stalls, selling everything from curios and clothes, to delectable food and drinks. Here are just some of the fantastic markets you can visit …

ORANJEZICHT CITY FARM
Held every Saturday at the historic Granger Bay site of the V&A Waterfront, the Oranjezicht City Farm is a true farmer’s market, selling the products and produce of local urban farmers. Everything from seasonal fruit and veg, flowers and homemade goodies are on offer here. Vegans and vegetarians, this market is for you. The market is well-known for catering to all types of foodies, and customers who want wheat, gluten, sugar and dairy-free alternatives are well served.
Where: Granger Bay, V&A Waterfront
When: Every Saturday, 9am - 2pm

THE BAY HARBOUR MARKET
Situated on the water’s edge at the old Hout Bay Harbour, with more than 100 stalls, a fish factory, and a stage for live musical performances, is popular with locals and tourists alike. The KWV Sound Stage has been graced by some of SA’s best musicians and always draws a big crowd. You can also expect a wide range of 80 awesome weekly traders, 9 draught beers on tap, artisan food stalls, art and crafts. 
Where: 31 Harbour Road, Hout Bay
When: Every Friday (9.30am - 4pm), Saturday & Sunday (9.30am - 4pm)

KIRSTENBOSCH CRAFT MARKET
The ever-popular market at Kirstenbosch consists of around 180 crafters who sell original, hand-crafted goods and there is plenty of food on offer as well! Proceeds from stall rentals go to the Development Fund for Kirstenbosch Gardens. Speaking of the gardens, the market is situated directly across the road at the Kirstenbosch Stone Cottages, meaning you can pop across for a stroll when you have finished shopping.
Where: Kirstenbosch Stone Cottages, corner Kirstenbosch Drive and Rhodes Avenue
When: Select days in December & January

WATERSHED AT THE V&A WATERFRONT
With over 150 stalls, selling more than 365 brands, look no further than the Watershed to satisfy all your purchasing needs. The Watershed sells a variety of products, ranging from furniture and textiles, to fashion and jewellery. It’s a perfect spot for gift-shopping or simply to treat yourself to something special. The space also includes the Jubilee Exhibition Hall and smaller spaces which play host to world famous exhibitions, live entertainment and workshops.
Where: Watershed, V&A Waterfront
When: Open Daily

DURBANVILLE CRAFT MARKET
Roam the gardens of Rust-en-Vrede under a blanket of stars. Christmas décor, confectionery, only the best handmade gifts, preserves, home décor, food and much more will be on offer.
Where: Rust-en-Vrede, Wellington Road, Durbanville
When: Selected Saturdays 8.30am - 2pm

AFFAIR ON THE HILL
Launched with great success during the recent Season of Sauvignon in Durbanville this year, Affair on the Hill celebrates wine, good food, shopping, live music and is perfect for the whole family.
Where: Durbanville Hills, Tygerberg Valley Road
When: Selected days throughout the year

RONDEBOSCH CRAFT MARKET
The perfect way to spend a relaxing Saturday afternoon, the Rondebosch Craft Market continues to be a popular port of call for market shoppers. Browse stalls of hand-made goods, have breakfast under the shade of the trees, or just do both.
Where: Rondebosch Park
When: Second Saturday of every month, 9am - 2pm

CITY BOWL MARKET
The place where Cape Town’s food lovers meet. Featuring tastes from across the globe, you’ll find huge pots of paella, famous Durban curries and more. If you go, plan to be on hand when the band arrives. Live performances start around 6pm. Fashionistas should check the market’s website for the fashion expo that runs once a month.
Where: 14 Hope Street, Gardens
When: Thursdays, 4.30pm - 8.30pm

NEIGHBOURGOODS MARKET
One of the hippest markets in Cape Town is the weekly Neighbourgoods Market in Woodstock. Housed in the Old Biscuit Mill, a converted mill house, it offers a number of quirky shops selling crafts, clothing and jewellery. If you go – go hungry! The highlight here is the incredible food stalls tucked in the back of the market. Find everything from breakfast fare to dumplings and gyros with craft beers to wash it all down.
Where: The Old Biscuit Mill, 373 Albert Road
When: Saturdays, 9am - 2pm

ROOT44 MARKET
Located opposite the giant strawberry on the R44, between Somerset West and Stellenbosch, the ROOT44 market is housed in a marquee, making sure you never miss out even when the weather’s not playing along. There is a natural wood play park and lawn area for the kids, keeping them entertained for hours at a time. 
Where: Audacia Wines, Corner of R44 & Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
When: Every Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 4pm

EARTH FAIR MARKET
A favourite with the working crowd based in the CBD, the market pops up to sell delicious food made locally. The vibe is great and it makes for the perfect city centre lunch hangout. 
Where: St George’s Mall, Cape Town CBD & South Palms Centre, Tokai
When: Every Saturday, 9am - 2pm in Tokai, Every Wednesday, 3pm - 8.30pm in Tokai, Every Thursday, 11am - 3pm in Cape Town CBD

PALMS MARKET
Going for a Platteland atmosphere within the urban part of Cape Town, there is a great variety of food (think homemade pies, marmalades, gourmet mushrooms, gourmet sandwiches and much more) and often some live music taking to the stage. The kids will love the unpretentious, relaxed set-up of everything while the older ones will enjoy the variety on offer.
Where: 145 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock
When: Every Saturday, 9am - 3pm

OLD BISCUIT MILL
It may be known for the Saturday Neighbourgoods Market, but the Old Biscuit Mill is a shopping gem in its own right. Noteworthy shops include the acclaimed Imiso Ceramics, Continuum wood furniture and quirky kids shop Mu & Me. If shopping makes you hungry, definitely come here. The mill is home to some of Cape Town’s best restaurants including Italian at Burrata, sharing plates at Potluck Club and French at Saucisse.
Where: The Old Biscuit Mill, 373 Albert Road
When: Mon-Fri 10am - 4pm, Saturdays 9am - 2pm

BLUEBIRD MARKET
The Bluebird market is in an old warehouse. Here you can get amazing homemade and heart-warming food, great entertainment and fun for the whole family.
Where: Cnr of Albertyn & Milner road, Muizenberg
When: Every Friday, 4pm - 10pm

TOKAI FOREST MARKET
The Tokai Forest Market is set in a large open space where visitors have the opportunity to have coffee, breakfast and brunch while doing some early morning browsing at this unique home industry market. There is plenty on offer, from delicious baked breads and pies to jewellery, handcrafted décor items for the home and even children’s clothes.
Where: Orpen Road, Tokai
When: Every Saturday, 9am - 3pm

KALK BAY FRESH ETC MARKET
Another beautiful old building hosts a culinary adventure in a warm and feel-good setting in the quaint town of Kalk Bay. Go and say hello to the seals afterwards!
Where: Kalk Bay Community Centre, Kalk Bay
When: 3rd Sunday of every month, 10am - 3pm

COUNTRY CRAFT MARKET
Operating since 1983, the Country Craft Market has grown from just 17 crafters to 180 stalls promotinga wide variety of high-quality handicrafts. The Country Kitchen provides the sustenance needed to scoop up as many wares as possible, while Country Kids keeps the little ones occupied with a jumping castle, face painting and more.
Where: Southey’s Vines, 186 Main Road, Somerset West
When: Selected Saturdays in summer, 9am - 2pm

WILLOWBRIDGE SLOW FOOD MARKET
Priding itself on its homemade organic food, award-winning cheeses, Karoo meat, pastries and more, the slow food market harks back to the ancient festivities of fresh food markets done the natural way.
Where: Willowbridge Lifestyle Centre, 39 Carl Cronjé Drive, Tyger Valley
When: Saturdays 9am - 2pm

V&A FOOD MARKET
Set in Cape Town’s crown jewel of tourist locations, The V&A Waterfront, this culinary market has tantalising fresh produce as well as designer appliances and a food bookshop.
Where: V&A Waterfront
When: Open daily, 10am - 7pm

BO-KAAP FOOD AND CRAFT MARKET
Famous for quirky culture and specialty foods, the Bo-Kaap brings koeksisters and samoosas, dried fruit, smoked snoek, pecan nut pie and melktert into the equation – it’s a perfect way to explore South Africa’s vibrant Cape sub-cultures.
Where: Haas Coffee, 67 Rose Street
When: Last Saturday of every month, 10am - 4pm

GREENMARKET SQUARE
You cannot visit Cape Town and not visit one of its oldest markets, set on a cobbled square between Short and Longmarket Streets. A Cape Town institution, this fleamarket is where informal traders from all corners of the African continent now come to sell their fabrics, sculpture, art and beadwork. Visitors to the square are sure to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and pick up great souvenir bargains.
Where: Greenmarket Square, Cape Town city centre
When: Monday to Saturday, 9am - 4pm

Source: Cape Tourism

If you like planes, trains and buses, then this is the list of outings for you! It's great for the kids too. 

• Cape Point & The Flying Dutchman Funicular: The Flying Dutchman Funicular travels on a railroad on Cape Point, providing a novel and exciting way to travel and see the sights. From the bottom station, you will journey through dense foliage and fynbos to the upper lighthouse.
• City Sightseeing Tours (Red Bus): The popular hop on hop off double-decker red bus is known for being one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways of getting to Cape Town’s top attractions. The family-friendly City Sightseeing bus offers audio information about the journey in 15 languages, and even boasts an audio channel especially for children.
• Franschhoek Wine Tram: Leave the stress of modern life, and your car, behind when you take a trip on the charming Franschhoek Wine Tram. Journey through rolling vineyards in an open-side tram and open-air tram-bus stopping at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates.
• Table Mountain Aerial Cableway: The best views of Cape Town are from the Table Mountain Cableway, a unique and 87-year-old method of seeing the wonders of the city. Travel up to the summit of the majestic flat-topped mountain and be astounded by vistas of the Mother City, Robben Island and the Peninsula.
• Discover Cape Town by taking the City Walk: A pre-determined route through the city, the City Walk gives you the opportunity to experience some of the sights and sounds of Cape Town’s CBD. While this route can be done as a guided tour – departures daily from outside the Taj hotel – it is, for the most part, a self-guided route. 
• Parks in Cape Town: Cape Town is so much more than a walk in the park, it IS the park! The city is surrounded by a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Cape Floristic Region – the world’s smallest and most diverse floral kingdom. Around 70 percent of its approximately 9 600 species are not found anywhere else in the world.
• Scootours: Feel a rush of excitement as you head down some of the best trails in the Mother City on off-road scooters. Scootours provide you with some of the most state-of-the-art scooters in Cape Town. You’re bound to have a memorable time on the slopes of Table Mountain and Signal Hill.

Source: Cape Tourism