Swellendam, Western Cape

Swellendam Accommodation

Swellendam is a very popular tourist destination particularly as it is found half way between Cape Town and George and has a lot of good quality accommodation on offer. The town is steeped in history dating back to 1745 when the Dutch East India Company established a settlement here. The town became a bustling place where travellers stopped over on their way inland. This was the place where the travellers got food for their cattle and repairs on their carts.

Swellendam is an agricultural area with many variety of crops grown here such as cereal, wheat and fruit. You will also discover many ostrich and dairy farms here. In Swellendam you will find a beautifully ornate Dutch Reformed Church which is open weekdays to visitors. In Swellengrebel Street you will find the Drostdy Museum which is well known for its collection of Cape furniture. The area includes Cape Dutch buildings and the lovely Mayville Victorian garden. There is also a working watermill located just behind the Old Jail. Tourists can also visit the pottery studios of Jan du Toit and Bukkenburg and look around the antique and craft shops around.

There are plenty of activities to do in the area such as hiking trails in the mountains in the Marloth Nature Reserve where you can take a short trail or take on the more demanding 6 day Swellendam Trail.

Places to stay in Western Cape | Itineraries in Western Cape