Port Elizabeth Shopping and Districts

(Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa)

There's something for everyone when it comes to shopping in Port Elizabeth. Indeed, the city can quite rightly be described as something of a Mecca for shoppers.

Whether you're searching for a souvenir at one of the city's flea markets, a particular antique item or the dress of your dreams, Port Elizabeth has an abundance of small, specialist shops, as well as large shopping centres and malls to cater for all your needs.

When to Shop and Opening Hours

The majority of shops are open from 08:00 to 17:00 on weekdays. At weekends, many stay open a little longer. Larger shopping centres tend to operate longer opening hours, staying open later in the evening.

Where to Shop

The central historic district of Port Elizabeth, around Rink Parliament and Lawrence Street, offers antique-lovers a chance to browse. Clyde Street, Pearson Street and Westbourne Road are also good places to look. Port Elizabeth is a good place to buy gold and diamond jewellery.

If you're looking to buy locally crafted gifts to take home, there's a beachfront Sunday market along the promenade from King's Beach to Happy Valley. 'Art in the Park' is also a regular feature, held on the first Sunday of the month.

Beach equipment can be found in the Kings Beach area of Port Elizabeth. For surf shopping, it's best to head down to nearby Jeffrey's Bay, where the Billabong and Quicksilver factory shops are based.

If the heat of summer gets too much, then Port Elizabeth has some good air-conditioned shopping centres. The city's largest of these shopping centres is Greenacres. This modern mall is home to a large variety of shops, as well as cinemas, and restaurants and coffee shops.

Port Elizabeth's Walmer Park is another popular shopping centre. Known as the 'Cosmopolitan Centre', Walmer Park offers a good range of small stores, selling everything from jewellery and chic clothes to books and fast food.