Cape Town is not known for its indigenous arts and crafts in the way that Durban is, and many of the goods you'll buy here are from elsewhere in Africa, especially Zimbabwe and Zambia. There are several places in the city centre and the V&A Waterfront, but you'll often pick up the same arts and crafts for a lot less money at the sidewalk markets scattered around town. Don't expect exotic West African-style market places, however; Cape Town's venues are more like European or North American flea markets.

SHOPS

Africa Nova Main Road, Hout Bay tel 021 790 4454. A better than average selection of ethnic crafts and curios as well as contemporary African textiles and artwork, with an emphasis on the individual and handmade. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun 10am-2pm.

African Image Branches at the corner of Church and Burg streets tel 021 423 8385, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-1.30pm; and Shop 6228, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront tel 021 419 0382, daily 9am-9pm. One of the best places for authentic traditional and contemporary African arts and crafts, from fabrics and antique sculpture to beadwork, but goods are a little overpriced.

Ethno Bongo Mainstream Shopping Centre, Main Road, Hout Bay tel 021 790 0802. A charming shop in the main shopping centre in Hout Bay, selling wonderful and well-priced crafts, jewellery and accessories made from recycled metal and wood, and also quirky kaftans and ethnic clothing - highly recommended for unique gifts and souvenirs. Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm, Sat 9.30am-4pm, Sun 10am-4pm.

Kalk Bay Gallery 62 Main Rd, Kalk Bay tel 021 788 1674. Graphics, engravings as well as African art and artefacts - good value, with the chance of picking up something very collectible. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat& Sun 9.30am-5pm.

Out of Africa Shop 125, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront tel 021 418 5505. Expensive baskets, beads and African arts and antiques. Daily 9am-9pm.

Rose Korber Art Consultancy 48 Sedgemoor Rd, Camps Bay tel 021 438 9152. This should be the first stop for the serious collector, with an exceptional selection of contemporary art and craft, including ceramics and beadwork from around the continent. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

Yellow Door Upper floor, Gardens Centre, Gardens tel 021 465 4702. One of the largest and best selections of local crafts and design, including ceramics, fabrics, jewellery, basketry, metalwork and interior decor. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 10am-2pm.

MARKETS

Cape Town Station Forecourt, Adderley Street. Thronging ranks of market traders selling radios, leather goods and African crafts. Not principally aimed at tourists, so it's pretty authentic. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-2pm.

Constantia Craft Market Alphen Common, corner of Spaanschemat River and Ladies Mile roads, Constantia. Sizeable outdoor flea market where you can pick up good local crafts and items from around the continent, ride a camel or a pony and have a cup of tea. First and last Sat and first Sun of the month.

Greenmarket Square Burg Street. An open-air market that's the best place in town for colourful handmade Cape Town beachwear, from T-shirts to shorts and sandals, as well as being a place to pick up knick-knacks. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-2pm.

The Pan African Market 76 Long St. A multicultural hothouse of township and contemporary art, artefacts, curios and crafts. There's music, a café specializing in African cuisine, a bookshop, a Cameroonian hairbraider and West African tailor. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm.

The Red Shed Craft Workshop Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront. A market where some two dozen craftworkers make and sell ceramics, textiles, candles and jewellery, and you can see glass-blowers at work. Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 10am-9pm.

Sivuyile Craft Centre On the corner of NY1 and NY4, Guguletu, Cape Flats. A township market attached to an information centre close to the N2 freeway, where bead-workers, wire-workers and other artists make traditional and modern crafts. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-2pm, Sun 9am-1pm.

Victoria Road Market 1km south of Bakoven along the coast road. Carvings, beads, fabrics and baskets sold from a market spectacularly sited on a clifftop overlooking the Atlantic. Daily.