Art Galleries
Art Galleries in Cape Town
Cape Town’s art scene is world-class, and it’s not just about the big names like Zeitz MOCAA. From edgy contemporary galleries in Woodstock to the classic halls of the Iziko South African National Gallery, we’ve got the inside line on exhibitions, openings, and First Thursdays. Dive into the Mother City’s creative heartbeat.
Zeitz MOCAA
Location: V&A Waterfront, Silo District
Category: Museum of Contemporary African Art
Highlights: Africa's largest contemporary African art museum housed inside a transformed grain silo, featuring nine floors of exhibitions and spectacular architecture.
Best For: Contemporary African art, photography, architecture, international visitors.
Entry: Adults R250 | Students R150 | Free for South African citizens Wednesday 12:00 - 14:00.
Hours: Wednesday - Monday 10:00 - 18:00 (Closed Tuesdays)
South African National Gallery
Location: Gardens
Category: National Art Museum
Highlights: Historic collection spanning more than four centuries of South African art with rotating temporary exhibitions.
Best For: Art history, classic South African artists, families.
Entry: Residents R40 | Non-residents R60 | Children/Pensioners R20.
Hours: Daily 09:00 -17:00.
Everard Read Cape Town
Location: V&A Waterfront
Category: Commercial Contemporary Gallery
Highlights: Africa's oldest commercial gallery showcasing leading South African painters and sculptors alongside an outdoor sculpture garden.
Best For: Collectors, contemporary painting, sculpture.
Entry: Free.
Goodman Gallery
Location: Woodstock
Category: Contemporary Art Gallery
Highlights: One of South Africa's leading galleries representing internationally acclaimed contemporary artists with socially engaged exhibitions.
Best For: Contemporary African art, photography, installations.
Entry: Free.
WHATIFTHEWORLD
Location: Cape Town CBD
Category: Contemporary Gallery
Highlights: Innovative exhibitions inside a restored synagogue featuring emerging artists, installations and performance art.
Best For: Experimental contemporary art.
Entry: Free.
SMAC Gallery
Location: Woodstock Exchange
Category: Contemporary Gallery
Highlights: Curated exhibitions centred around sculpture, installation and multimedia works by leading African artists.
Best For: Installation art, sculpture, collectors.
Entry: Free.
99 Loop Gallery
Location: Loop Street, CBD
Category: Contemporary Gallery
Highlights: Regularly changing exhibitions featuring painting, photography and sculpture from emerging and established artists.
Best For: Discovering new South African artists.
Entry: Free.
Southern Guild
Location: Silo District
Category: Collectible Design Gallery
Highlights: Museum-quality collectible furniture, design and sculptural works by internationally recognised African designers.
Best For: Contemporary design, interiors, collectors.
Entry: Free.
Blank Projects
Location: Woodstock
Category: Contemporary Gallery
Highlights: Independent gallery supporting emerging artists through carefully curated exhibitions across multiple mediums.
Best For: Emerging South African contemporary art.
Entry: Free.
Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 - 17:00; Saturday 10:00 - 13:00
Looking for more details about the best galleries to visit? Explore our complete Cape Town Art Galleries Guide and discover the city's leading museums, contemporary galleries and hidden creative spaces.
