Yasin Ansari

Essenwood Flea Market in Durban

Category // Travel

I am not one for shopping but by far one of my favorite hang outs has to be the Essenwood Flea market. It’s one of those places that make the weekend so much better. I was fortunate to first stumble upon this gem when I lived in Durban, only then it was much smaller. Today the Essenwood Flea Market has become the place to hang out with easily about a hundred stalls, food market, kids area and ample shopping in the outdoors.

Open from about 8 to 2 every Saturday morning the market is filled with stalls that offer you something different from the retail outlets we are used to in South Africa. Set in one of the local Durban municipality run parks, the market offers the discerning shopper a selection of creativity in so many forms. From gifts, to to clothes, music, incense, candles, palm reading, fresh flowers, art from local lads, massage and scented oils, picture frames  and the list goes on and on… what stands out is the uniqueness of each stalls offering.

The food area has grown to now offer alot of snacks and nibbles perfect for a mid morning snack seated in the park under the shade of trees that have been there for decades. Parking is a bit of a hassle as the park is in a residential area and you have to find parking between the streets surrounding the park. Tip get there before 930 and make a morning out of it.

What I love the most is the ambience. Between the musicians gently doing their thing, to the occasional sway of the trees, chirps of birds and the kids in the background having a blast in the kids area … its an absolutely intoxicating feeling.  So next time you in Durban, make sure you check it out – carry cash, you don’t want to have to swipe your card, its a mission.

Pictures from the market

Directions to the Essenwood Flea Market

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