Over the season of giving, Sandton and its surrounds offer a variety of shopping opportunities that are sure to impress:
Sandton City Shopping Centre
Located in the epicentre of Sandton, the Sandton City Shopping Centre is world-renowned for its scale and elegance. It is an ideal Christmas-shopping destination, containing around 300 stores that include such international chains and market leaders as Louis Vuitton and Apple as well as local boutiques and specialty stores, and offers a huge variety of eateries to cater for holiday meals that range from coffee shops to first-class restaurants.
The centre also provides entertainment that includes a movie theatre complete with the latest releases to hit the country, and is close to important attractions like the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Sandton Convention Centre.
The Neighbourgoods Market
Running from 09:00 to 15:00 every Saturday over the festive season, this Braamfontein market is housed in a striking modernist building that features a spectacular 15-story wall mural by famed artist Eduardo Villa. Stallholders sell holiday-living staples like fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables from the Free State and meat from butcheries, and the upper level outdoor terrace showcases beautiful views of the city in all its splendour.
Melrose Arch
This vibrant, modern shopping centre offers a varied in and out-doors international high street fashion experience, and is packed with over 100 of the country’s top retailers and a selection of unique restaurants and coffee shops that cater to every holiday shopper.
Melrose Arch combines people-friendly meeting places, beautiful architecture, and an exciting atmosphere to provide an innovative Christmas-shopping experience. Over the festive season stores such as The Body Shop, Neri Karra, and WineSense all offer various special packages and gifts.
Nelson Mandela Square
This European-styled piazza features a towering sculpture of Mandela himself, and prides itself on commemorating heritage and celebrating international style with the characteristic warmth of African hospitality, making it an ideal location for gift shopping over the festive season.
The centre offers shopping opportunities that range from curios, to books, to couture, and contains some of the finest restaurants in South Africa, many of which feature special Christmas menus. Additionally, the square often plays host to prestigious local and international events, making a visit to Nelson Mandela Square a truly memorable African experience.
