Shopping in the Eastern Cape

If you are planning a shopping tour of Port Elizabeth and Addo, here is a tip: most shops are open between 9 am and 5 pm. If you plan to shop later in the evening, the best places to head to are the malls, which stay open until late.

Crafts and Souvenirs

Don't leave Port Elizabeth and Addo without buying a few unusual gift items and souvenirs. Handcrafted ceramic toys, glasswork, xhosa dolls, and leather goods are popular buys. Go green by investing in furniture made from recycled wood. Look for authentic local Port Elizabeth and Addo handicrafts at emporiums, but you can also buy cheaper souvenirs from the vendors on the beaches. In Addo, you will find souvenir shops selling everything from handcrafted key chains to wildlife-themed tee shirts.

Malls

Port Elizabeth's cavernous malls are a testament to the growing economy of this beach city. Most tourists combine their shopping trips here with an evening spent dining at the restaurants and diners near the malls. Many malls go much further than that - they have facilities such as beauty salons, roulette tables, and a lot more. Malls in Port Elizabeth sell everything from branded clothes to hip accessories and kitchen appliances. The city's best-known mall is located next to the beach, offering tourists the chance to combine their shopping trip with a day at the beach.

Shops

Port Elizabeth's shops stock everything from holiday staples such as swimsuits and hammocks, to organic produce sourced from local farmers. Some of the smaller stores may not be too high on glamour but they offer personalised attention to customers. Many grocers deliver food to tourist yachts moored off the docks. Lawrence Street has stores that sell antiques, and these are quite a rage among tourists keen to take home a little slice of history. Clyde Street is a good destination for people with bigger wallets, you can buy jewellery made of rare metals and set with precious stones.

Flea Markets

If you want to see local colours firsthand and get a feel of bargaining, this is one experience you should not miss. You can haggle with the flea market vendors for locally produced items. Bargaining is not only encouraged, it is expected! You might actually end up offending the vendor if you don't try it. So go ahead, indulge to your heart's content. The beach hosts a weekly flea market as well, and this attracts many tourists.

Currency

The Rand (ZAR) is the currency of South Africa and each Rand is divided into 100 cents. Money can be exchanged at the larger hotels, bureaux de change, and banks.

Currency exchange rate (guideline only) - 1 Rand = US $0.14 / € 0.09 / A$ 0.15