Harare markets guide: discover the city’s best markets
Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it at the best markets in Harare.
Avondale Flea Market -soapstone and wooden sculptures, hand-painted African art
The Avondale Flea Market sits on Bath Road behind the Avondale Shopping Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe. It began around 1997 and has grown into a popular, open-air trading hub. The market hosts independent family businesses, artisans, and cross-border traders under a wide canopy, and it operates seven days a week in a safe, secure environment.
The complex features a distinctive two-storey layout. Ground floor stalls showcase hand-carved soapstone sculptures and wood carvings. Paintings, fabrics, and traditional instruments like drums and mbiras fill the displays. Upstairs offers a mix of new and second-hand clothing, shoes, toys, and electronic accessories, and rare second-hand books. Visitors can browse for free, with respectful haggling often helping secure the best price from local vendors. Tourists friendly
When: OPEN 8AM-5PM 7DAYS A WEEK
Where: Bath Road, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe
Old Stables Market Harare – Farmer’s Market
The Old Stables Market is a relaxed Saturday outdoor bazaar at Borrowdale Racecourse in Harare, shaded by jacaranda trees and loved by locals, tourists, and expatriates. It’s a friendly community spot to stroll, meet friends, and enjoy a taste of Harare’s culture, with over 50 artisanal stalls featuring Zimbabwean crafts, beadwork, pottery, art, plants, and vintage finds. Food lovers can sample fresh produce, gourmet bakes, cheeses, and street food spanning traditional flavours and global favourites. With live local music and an on-site gin bar, the Old Stables Market offers a lively, all-round experience that proudly supports local artisans. Tourists friendly
When: Saturdays – 08:00 to 14:00
Where: Borrowdale Race Park, Borrowdale Road, Harare
The Sam Levy’s Village Flea Market
The Sam Levy’s Village Flea Market is a vibrant, family-friendly gathering held every Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the premium open-air Sam Levy’s Village shopping complex in the upscale suburb of Borrowdale, Harare. Situated in a newly refurbished location within the main car park under shaded car ports along Borrowdale Road, this bustling open-air market brings together local artisans, thrift sellers, and small businesses. Visitors can immerse themselves in a relaxed community atmosphere while exploring an eclectic treasure trove of unique Zimbabwean crafts, handmade leather goods, woven baskets, vintage apparel, books, antiques, and collectibles. Seamlessly blending a traditional market vibe with modern convenience, it serves as a popular weekend destination where locals and tourists alike can hunt for one-of-a-kind bargains before heading to one of the plaza’s many nearby restaurants for breakfast or coffee. Tourists friendly
When: Every Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM depending on the section)
Where: Borrowdale Rd, Harare, Zimbabwe
Mukuvisi Market
The Market at Mukuvisi is a vibrant community event held on the first Sunday of each month within the beautiful, 263-hectare Mukuvisi Woodlands nature reserve in Harare, Zimbabwe. It offers foreign visitors a relaxed, welcoming environment to experience authentic local culture and support Zimbabwean talent. Under a canopy of indigenous trees, the market features an open-air showcase of handmade crafts, contemporary art, local fashion, books, and unique gifts. Food lovers can sample a diverse array of fresh confectioneries, organic honey, and traditional Zimbabwean foods served alongside live entertainment and music. Because entry to the market is entirely free, it provides a perfect, low-stress opportunity to interact with local artisans and families before heading deeper into the surrounding reserve to spot wild giraffes, zebras, and impalas. Tourists friendly.
When: Usually held on the first Sunday of each month from 09:00 to 16:00
Where: Corner of Hillside Road Extension and Glenara Avenue, Harare
Mbare Musika Market & Local Life Experience
Mbare Musika is the vibrant, beating heart of Harare’s local commerce and the largest open-air market in Zimbabwe. As a foreign visitor, stepping into this bustling hub is an intense, multi-sensory immersion into authentic Zimbabwean daily life, far removed from the typical tourist trails. The air is thick with the aromas of fresh African mangos, roasting maize, and traditional herbs, while a vibrant symphony of bartering vendors, shouting bus conductors, and lively music fills the background. The market is seamlessly divided into sections: a massive fresh produce wholesale market showcasing fruits and vegetables from all over the country, a traditional medicine and crafts section, and a sprawling secondhand clothing market. While it can feel chaotic, navigating its energetic pathways offers an unforgettable look at the resilience, warmth, and entrepreneurial spirit of the local people—just remember to stay alert, dress down, and keep your personal belongings secure as you explore, a local guide is highly recommended.
When: Daily, 05:00 to 18:00
Where: 42VQ+49G, Harare, Zimbabwe
