Greenmarket Square

Greenmarket Square

Greenmarket Square
3.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Greenmarket Square is one of Cape town's oldest markets, full of crafts, jewelry, clothing and curios at a great value.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Regina Ferraz Perussi
    Sao Paulo, SP44 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great place to buy souvenirs in Cape Town
    It is a crafts fair in the central region of the city. It's like a hippie fair in the big cities of Brazil. There you will find a variety of souvenir items at better prices than other regions of the destination, especially cheaper than at the Waterfront. However, you need to be patient and know how to bargain. Some sellers are friendly, but others end up following you.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 11 February 2024
  • evaemau
    Naples, Italy1,459 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    nice experience
    In this square are concentrated a large number of sellers of more or less handicraft products. It is worth visiting and spending a nice hour. It is not far from the Malaysian quarter. Remember to haggle because they shoot high prices and you can find the same items even at half price in the shops of the adjacent streets.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 24 August 2024
  • Steve B
    Fenton, Missouri6 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Part of the Cape Town 'experience'
    We got there just as they started to break down shop for the day. All the vendors were saying 'closing price', but I don't know if it was any better than usual. You can get some good deals, just look around and compare prices before you buy. And remember, price negotiation is expected!
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 9 October 2024
  • Am B
    13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    So much fun buying souvenir there
    So much fun in this market. Sellers come from every corner of Africa. They all have their stories. Hagling is necessary of course but with good laughs you get a good Price And fair for both parties. Go there And buy your souvenir. It s very safe, private security is every where
    Visited December 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 6 December 2024
  • jonkmanh
    Amsterdam, The Netherlands142 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice tourist market
    Greenmarket Square is a historic and vibrant place in the heart of Cape Town that is absolutely worth a visit. The market, surrounded by beautiful historic buildings, offers a rich mix of culture, art and craft products. It is an ideal place to buy authentic African souvenirs such as handmade jewellery, artwork, fabrics and wooden figurines. What makes the experience so special is the interaction with the friendly and hospitable vendors who proudly present their wares. It is also a place where you can negotiate prices well, which further emphasizes the charm of the market. In addition, there are plenty of cosy cafés and restaurants near Greenmarket Square, allowing you to rest and enjoy a coffee or a meal while taking in the atmosphere. Although the market has a unique energy, it is important to stay alert to your personal belongings, as it can sometimes be crowded. Overall, Greenmarket Square is a vibrant and cultural hotspot that offers a glimpse into South Africa's diversity and creativity. It is a great destination for travelers looking for an authentic and vibrant experience.
    Visited January 2025
    Travelled with family
    Written 21 January 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

3.5
3.5 of 5 bubbles1 305 reviews
Excellent
263
Very good
519
Average
370
Poor
115
Terrible
38

Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands6 553 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021
During the early days of the colony end 1600s, farmers would come here with their ox carts loaded with produce to be sold. The Old Town House built in 1761 (still intact) was the center of the local administration. Nowadays green market is not longer green, but covered with stalls selling African handicrafts, garments, bags and what not. I did not find the vendors obtrusive. Yes, they want to sell things, but hey it is a market.
Written 18 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nick
Nottingham, UK535 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 • Couples
This was a small market compared tp other places I've visited in the past. Though it does have all the souvenirs you might want - wooden safari animals etc, tribal masks, antelope skins etc. I Picked up a cool antelope tribal mask.

Be prepared to haggle. The folk there were friendly and not overly pushy. They obviously want a sale, but if you're not interested, just say so and move on.

Overall, I'd recommend coming here, but o ly for like 20 minutes to half an hour.
Written 20 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70 639 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
An over 320 year old square. We came shopping for unique souvenirs. We enjoyed the market. Lots of interesting and unusual African handicrafts and other things to see.
Written 24 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hollyb14
North Yorkshire, UK180 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Friends
We visited last Saturday morning and what a disappointment. Every stall sold the same thing. Stall holders seemed quite aggressive in getting you to see their stock, I was grabbed by a woman and made to wear something in the hope of buying it...which didn't happen!
It was very dirty and quite intimidating with homeless people literally following you all the way round..
One saving Grace, we came across a local group singing and performing which was absolutely fantastic. I found it quite emotional, but was very aware of the homeless gathering round getting closer and closer...we left to see what long street had to offer but left quickly as we found it very intimidating! Filthy streets, nothing to see or do (the part we saw at least) and such a disappointment.
If you're going to visit, be very aware of your surroundings, keep your belongings close, be prepared to haggle, hard!
Not a place I'd like to re-visit!
Written 2 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travel_Girl_Reviews
London, UK733 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
I noticed that the most recent reviews were negative but we visited anyway. It was mostly a waste of our time.

The market has curios from all over the African continent, there are not actually many curios from South Africa. This makes sense as the vendors add all from Central and North Africa. It depends what you are after I guess but I found more South African curios in places like Kalk Bay or Simon’s Town.

There is also the issue of the prices. They are a total rip off and charged a lot more than the other vendors that I have bought from in other other parts of Cape Town. Some of the suggested prices were more than quadruple of what I’ve paid elsewhere.

You feel quite pressurized to buy, so if you want to go, be ready to say “no” quite forcefully.

I won’t ever return as there are few to no South African curios, the prices were ridiculous and because of how much pressure is put on you.
Written 27 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jerry Buirski
Cape Town, South Africa320 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Family
We used to like Greenmarket Square. Unfortunately, lately the vendors seem to be mostly foreigners and browsing or buying not so pleasant anymore. My daughter desperately wanted a SA flag and was blatantly ripped off. With no prices on items vendors can basically ask what they can get away with and we will be smarting for months that one charged her R250 for a smallish flag of cheap material. It will probably sell for R50 in any Chinatown.
Written 6 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NeilC
Newlands, South Africa20 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
The stallholders leave a tremendous amount of litter behind on the Square when the pack up. This happens on a daily basis. I have stopped visiting because I can't be part of such violations of the littering laws. The CoCT appears unable to deal with the blatant violation of the City's own laws. It is a terrible place.
Written 1 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NeilC
Newlands, South Africa20 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 • Family
Greenmarket Square has deteriorated badly. What was and can still be a vibrant space is now lethargic and intimidating. The market is one-dimensional and lacks local flare. There’s a drinking hole called Shakira’s that is a stain on the heritage of the Square. During our visit I noticed several tourists and locals being intimidated by the very drunk and unruly customers. It’s like the local authority has given up on a space that has massive potential.
Written 16 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NeilC
Newlands, South Africa20 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Family
Greenmarket Square is an indication that Cape Town City Centre is deteriorating in the same way as all the other cities in South Africa. The informal traders violate bylaws with impunity: noise pollution early in the morning and in the evening when they assemble their metal structures; heaps of litter left behind every single day; loitering by petty criminals; and sale of drugs. Square has become known as the main location to obtain drugs such as heroine and cannabis.
Written 4 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Angelscamp
Chicago, IL112 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
We went back here 3 or 4 times during our week in Cape Town because it's really nice to browse around and shop outdoors. It wasn't very crowded or busy due to COVID, so it might have been different for us. They people were mostly very nice and not too pushy. It's a place you want to barter and negotiate and have some fun like any other street market in the world. We got several nice little figurines and cool art. It's funny to ask who painted X or carved Y cuz they always say it's their brother, haha.
Written 27 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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GREENMARKET SQUARE (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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