About South African National Gallery
Lying in the heart of Cape Town in the Company's Garden, opposite the South African Museum on Government Avenue, the South African National Gallery houses some of the most beautiful collections of South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish art in South Africa.
Did you know? The gallery is open Monday to Sunday. A nominal entry fee is payable and there are parking facilities, access for disabled people, a gift shop and conference facilities.
The National Gallery’s permanent collection, which includes art from the colonial to the contemporary, is regularly rotated so that there is a full programme of temporary exhibitions of paintings, photography, sculpture, architecture, beadwork, textiles and works on paper. These are supplemented with visiting exhibitions. The South African National Gallery’s only reserve is the lack of traditional pre-colonial work, because of under funding and the high prices of Western art.
At the same time, very little in the way of emerging art in South Africa during the 1980s was acquired while under apartheid, so the gallery has made an attempt to fill this gap in its collection.
Since 1990 it has worked to set up a collection that celebrates the expressive cultures of the African continent, and it now has a respected collection of beadwork and indigenous sculpture. The Bead Society of Southern Africa was launched at the gallery in 1999, motivated by a need for a society in the south of Africa - there is one in Ghana and others exist all over the world - particularly as beadwork is the main means of aesthetic expression of women in South Africa.
The South African National Gallery began with a presentation of some 45 paintings by Thomas Butterworth Bayley in 1871, and since then has grown to one of international stature with wonderful examples of South African, African and Western European art.
Need to Know
WhereThe South African National Gallery, Government Avenue, Company's Garden, Cape Town Central, Cape Town, South Africa
WhenThe gallery is open Monday to Sunday from 10h00 to 17h00.
Telephone+27 (0)21 481-3970
OvernightStay in Cape Town Accommodation, Western Cape
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your attraction, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested in
Also See These Attractions

Landmarks / Museums / National Monuments
Castle of Good Hope
A unique combination of history, fine wine, traditional food, military ceremonies and craftsmanship awaits you at this pentagonal fortification. Built between 1666 and 1679, the Cape Town Castle is the oldest surviving building in South Africa. The ...

Landmarks
De Tuynhuys
Tuynhuys, the office of the state President and closed to the public, witnessed one of the most important turning points in South African history when FW de Klerk announced from its steps, on 18 March 1992, that South Africa had ‘closed the book on ...

Landmarks / Mandela Route
Houses of Parliament
The city of Cape Town, despite not being the capital of South Africa, is home to South Africa’s Parliament - Cape Town is the legislative capital, whilst the seat of government is in Pretoria, the administrative capital - which is one of the biggest draw ...
Attractions near Cape Town Central
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Cape Town

Atlantic Pod
Atlantic Pod offers Green Point accommodation in a light filed studio apartment, ideal for a peaceful break away or as a base to explore the city...

Atlantic Affair Boutique Hotel
Atlantic Affair is a bed and breakfast self-catering boutique hotel centrally located in bustling Sea Point, Cape Town. The accommodation is spac...

Cape Heritage Hotel
The Cape Heritage Hotel is situated in Cape Town's fashionable Heritage Square and has direct access to the vibrant street life, business distric...

Vida Nova Retreat
Vida Nova Retreat is an eco-luxury high-tech hotel offering comfortable accommodation in Hout Bay, just a short trip from the bustling Cape Town ...

Waterstone Lodge
Waterstone Lodge offers bed & breakfast accommodation in Somerset West. Each suite has complimentary Wi-Fi, TV with satellite channels, bathrobes...

Protea Star Apartment
Protea Apartment in Walmer Estate offers luxury holiday accommodation in Cape Town for eight guests. Here you can enjoy a home way from home in a...

Waterfront Village
Waterfront Village is situated on the water's edge of the V&A Waterfront Marina and offers guests luxury serviced one, two and three bedroom, sel...

Misty Mornings
Seaside living at its natural best in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Misty Mornings is a magnificent, very well equipped beach house ...

Clifton Beachfront Magic Apartment
Clifton Beachfront Magic Apartment offers Cape Town self catering in Clifton and is a humble yet glamorous and homely three bedroom furnished apa...
Things to do in the area

Helicopter Flights With Extreme Scene
Take a tour via Helicopter over Cape Town and the Peninsula. Get a birds eye view of the Cape on this fun and popular Helicopter Tour. Various tr...

Cape Town Free Walking Tours
Most major cities around the world offer city walking tours, and the Mother City is no exception. Cape Town Free Walking Tours makes the city wal...

Ski-Hi Ride
Did you know that the odd adrenaline rush has some amazing health benefits? It helps you to breathe easier, it’s a great pain-blocker, it boosts ...

Attend a Parliamentary Session
The city of Cape Town, despite not being the capital of South Africa, is home to South Africa’s Parliament (Cape Town is the legislative capital)...

Bathe at Long Street Baths
In the centre of Long Street, Cape Town, facing the Long Street Bath's heritage doors, look to the right for a view of Table Mountain, look to th...

Be Cool at Daddy Cools
The Grand Daddy’s hotel bar is the ‘blingest’ in Cape Town. It’s not just a cool bar, it’s a Daddy Cool bar! A palette of metallics and a roll-ca...

Carriage Tour of Cape Town
Cape Town Carriage Company offers the experience of exploring The Cape Town Business District and the Company’s Garden in style and allows a more...

Diamond Cutting Tours
The Diamond Works is a one-stop, exciting experience for tourists, both young and old. Situated on the ground floor of the Metropolitan Life Cent...

Dine at Addis
Addis in Cape provides you with an inviting ambience and a unique dining experience right in the heart of the city of Cape Town. With its talente...
Accommodation convenient to South African National Gallery
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Western Cape Accommodation / Cape Town Accommodation