Secondhand bookshops in Pretoria worth visiting
From cosy cafés to shelves packed with thousands of books.
There’s something special about browsing a secondhand bookshop. You never quite know what you’re going to find — an old favourite, a book you’ve been looking for, or something you didn’t even know you wanted until you spotted it on a shelf.
Pretoria has a good mix of secondhand bookshops, from large stores where you can happily spend hours browsing to smaller independent shops where the fun is in discovering something unexpected.
We’ve picked a few worth visiting, each with its own character and way of doing things. So whether you’re looking for a particular title or simply want to spend a Saturday afternoon hunting for books, there’s somewhere to start.
For books and a coffee-shop feel
If your ideal bookshop visit includes a drink, something sweet and plenty of time to browse, Rainbow Books offers something a little different.
This Centurion favourite combines a secondhand bookshop with a café-style setting, so you can browse the shelves and then settle in for food or one of its well-known milkshakes. It makes the experience feel more like an outing than a quick stop at a bookshop.
The books cover a wide range of genres, with plenty of older titles alongside more recent secondhand finds. You’ll also find toys, gifts and other bits and pieces, so there’s more to browse than books alone.
Best for: readers who like to make an afternoon of their bookshop visit.
For a reliable browse across several branches
Lizmar Books (Pretoria – multiple branches)
Lizmar Books has several branches around Pretoria, including Doringkloof, Monument Park, Equestria and Wierdapark. Each has the familiar feel of a proper secondhand bookshop, with shelves organised by category and a broad selection to explore.
You’ll find everything from fiction and children’s books to educational titles, collectables and general nonfiction. One of the nice things about the Lizmar system is that if you don’t find what you’re looking for at one branch, staff can often help you track it down elsewhere.
Lizmar also operates a trade-in system, allowing readers to bring back books for credit towards future purchases. That means the shelves are constantly changing — and gives you another reason to pop in again.
Best for: regular secondhand-book shoppers who like having several branches to explore.
For a serious book-hunting session
If you like the idea of spending hours surrounded by books, put Rutland Books on your list.
Housed in a converted house in Riviera, the shop stretches across multiple rooms and floors, with a huge selection covering everything from fiction and classics to nonfiction, dictionaries and coffee-table books.
Despite the sheer amount of stock, the books are organised into sections, making it possible to browse with some direction when you’re looking for something specific. But this is also the sort of place where you can start looking for one book and leave with three completely different ones.
Prices are generally considered very reasonable, particularly if you’re building a pile of books rather than looking for just one.
Best for: readers who love getting lost in a big collection and don’t mind spending a few hours browsing.
MegaBooks is another good option when you want plenty of books under one roof.
The shop has a large and varied selection, covering fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, study guides, religion, self-help and plenty of more specialised categories. Everything is clearly organised, so you can browse without feeling completely overwhelmed by the size of the collection.
Value is a big part of the appeal, with many books available at affordable prices and regular promotions adding to the temptation.
If you’re the sort of person who says, “I’ll just have a quick look,” and then disappears into a bookshop for two hours, MegaBooks may be dangerous for your wallet — in the best possible way.
Best for: readers who want lots of choice, organised shelves and good-value books.
For smaller-shop charm and unexpected finds
Magic Tree Books is smaller than some of Pretoria’s larger secondhand bookstores, but that’s part of its appeal.
The shop has an eclectic selection, and browsing here is less about racing through rows of shelves and more about seeing what catches your eye. Readers often highlight the unexpected titles and little discoveries that turn up along the way.
There’s also a more personal feel to the experience, with help available if you’re looking for something specific. The shop can also assist with sourcing books, which is particularly useful when you’re hunting for a title that isn’t easy to find.
Best for: readers who prefer smaller independent bookshops and enjoy discovering something unexpected.
Stay home and browse thousands of secondhand books
Pretoria’s secondhand bookshops are great places to browse in person — but sometimes you know exactly what you’re looking for and don’t want to spend your Saturday driving from shop to shop.
That’s where Bookle comes in.
Bookle brings together preloved books from independent sellers across South Africa, so you can search from home and find books that may not be available in any one local shop.
You can:
- Browse thousands of books from sellers across South Africa.
- Search for specific titles, authors or genres instead of hoping you’ll stumble across them.
- Bundle books from the same seller and pay one delivery fee.
- Shop with free buyer protection through TradeSafe.
So if your local bookshop hunt doesn’t turn up what you’re after, there are still plenty of shelves to explore — they’re just online.
FAQ: Buying secondhand books in Pretoria
Can I buy secondhand books online and have them delivered to Pretoria?
Yes. Bookle connects you with independent sellers across South Africa and delivers nationwide, so you can shop for preloved books without travelling from shop to shop.
How long does delivery take?
Once your seller dispatches your order, delivery via The Courier Guy generally takes 1–4 business days.
Can I bundle books to save on delivery?
Yes. If you buy multiple books from the same seller, they can be sent together, so you pay one delivery fee for that seller.
Is it still worth visiting physical secondhand bookshops?
Absolutely. Online shopping is convenient, but nothing quite replaces wandering through real bookshelves and finding something you weren’t looking for.
And if you don’t find it there, you can always continue the hunt on Bookle.