The Best Independent Bookstores in South Africa
Nothing quite compares to leafing through a book, and these independent South African bookstores sell the best of the best. From major cities to small towns, they’re the perfect place to spend long afternoons or lazy weekend mornings.
1. Dustcovers, Nieu Bethesda
Bookstore
2. The Book Lounge, Cape Town
Bookstore
3. Fables Bookshop, Grahamstown
Fables Bookshop in Grahamstown was founded in 1990 and deals mainly in out-of-print, academic and specialist, Africana titles. Fables also sells fascinating hand-painted maps of the Cape Colony and Eastern Cape, as well as almost impossible-to-find genealogy CDs.
Fables Bookshop, 119 High St, Grahamstown, South Africa, +27 46 636 1525
5. The Book Cottage, Hermanus
The Book Cottage is exactly as the name suggests: a charming cottage filled with books, and is situated in Hermanus, a seaside village in the Overberg. They stock a comprehensive range, from local authors to international best-sellers and children’s books, plus they often host special readings and book launches.
The Book Cottage, 17 Long St, Hermanus, South Africa, +27 28 313 0834
6. Last Chance Books, Durban
Bookstore
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.