Independent bookshop in Cape Town, South Africa
A pillar of Cape Town literary life since 2007, with events in its basement.
The Bookshop Atlas
Bookshops in South Africa
101 independent bookshops in 43 towns, 18 of them selling secondhand.
Unfolding the map…
SecondhandAntiquarianNewCharity
Worth the pilgrimage
Featured in South Africa
Secondhand in Cape Town, South Africa · since 1957
On Long Street since 1957, Clarke's began as a secondhand bookshop and became the specialist for books on southern Africa: new, secondhand and out of print, with a general secondhand stock alongside.
AfricanaSouthern African historySecondhand & new
Antiquarian in Johannesburg, South Africa · since 1974
Eight floors of a downtown building stacked with secondhand and rare books, maps, engravings, newspapers, photographs and records, gathered by the Klass family since 1974. It is often described as the largest used and rare bookshop in the Southern Hemisphere; ring the buzzer and allow the whole afternoon.
AfricanaMaps & printsRecordsRare books
Independent bookshop in Johannesburg, South Africa
A Melville shop founded in 2009 with weekly children's story time.
Independent bookshop in Kalk Bay, South Africa
A Victorian-building bookshop by the sea in Kalk Bay.
Secondhand in Kwa Noheleni, South Africa
A Karoo village bookshop with a special collection on the Karoo.
Secondhand
Towns and cities, A–Z
Each has its own guide with a map and, where the shops are close enough, a walking route.
Towns and cities
- Barrydale1
- Bloemfontein1
- Cape Town14
- Durban2
- Durbanville2
- Extension1
- Fourways - Johannesburg1
- Gansbaai1
- George1
- Gqeberha4
- Hermanus2
- Howick1
- Irene1
- Jeffreys Bay1
- Johannesburg3
- Kalk Bay1
- Kempton Park3
- Kleinmond1
- Knysna1
- KuGompo City1
- Kwa Noheleni1
- Lydenburg1
- Makhanda1
- Milnerton1
- Montagu2
- Mtubatuba1
- Paarl1
- Philippolis1
- Plettenberg Bay1
- Port Shepstone2
- Pretoria16
- Randburg8
- Roodepoort2
- Rustenburg2
- Sabie1
- Sandton7
- Simon's Town1
- Somerset West1
- Stellenbosch4
- Strand1
- Swellendam1
- Umhlanga Rocks1
- Xamdeboo1
Finding bookshops in South Africa
- How many bookshops are listed in South Africa?
The Atlas currently lists 101 active bookshops across 43 towns and cities in South Africa. This is the number in our directory, not a claim that every shop in the area has been recorded.
- Can I find secondhand bookshops in South Africa?
18 listed shops are categorised as selling secondhand books. Stock changes frequently; ask a shop directly if you need a particular book.
- Are the opening hours and accessibility details checked?
The Atlas displays available source information. A listing without opening hours or access details is incomplete, not necessarily closed or inaccessible. Check each shop's website and confirm anything essential before travelling.
- Can I add a shop or correct a listing?
Yes. Send the shop's name, location and a reliable website or other source. Suggestions and corrections are reviewed before changing the Atlas.
Suggest a shop
Shop data © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence, with descriptions of featured shops by Creasy Spines. Opening hours change — check before a long journey. Suggest an edit