Roxanne Reid - Africa Addict
  • Home
  • Book author
    • Travels in the Kalahari >
      • Photo gallery: Travels in the Kalahari
      • Book reviews: Travels in the Kalahari
    • A Walk in the Park >
      • Photo gallery: A Walk in the Park
      • Book reviews: A Walk in the Park
    • The Essential Guide to Self-Editing >
      • Book reviews: Essential Guide to Self-Editing
    • Betrayed
    • Book reviews online
  • Editing & proofreading
  • In the media
    • Travel features
    • Health features
    • Online media
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
  • Links
  • Contact

20 things to do in Swellendam in the Overberg

6/4/2022

11 Comments

 
Things to do in Swellendam: Dutch Reformed Church
​By Roxanne Reid
People who live in Swellendam know just how much there is to do in the area, but those who think of it as a two-hour drive from Cape Town on their way to the Garden Route need a little encouragement to stop and explore. Here are 20 things to do in Swellendam; spend three days here and you’ll barely touch the surface.

​Swellendam lies between the Langeberg Mountains and the Breede River about 200km east of Cape Town. The third oldest town in South Africa, it was declared the Western Cape’s Town of the Year 2020 by local TV programme Kwêla in March 2020. This is due in part to the friendliness of the locals and the attractiveness of the town, but also because of the diversity of things to do in the area. Here’s my pick of some of them.

1. Visit a museum 
What to do in Swellendam: Drostdy museum
A visit to the museum precinct on Swellengrebel street is a must for anyone who visits the ‘republic of Swellendam’. The Drostdy itself dates back to 1747 though it was enlarged in 1813. Because it was both home and office of the Landdrost, it’s quite a formal place. Just down the road is Mayville, built in the mid 1850s but furnished in Victorian style.

Over the road is the Old Gaol and Ambagswerf (trades yard). Two of the cells off the courtyard have been opened to the public, and the Ambagswerf around a water-mill exhibits tools used in the past by craftsmen like wainwrights, blacksmiths, coppersmiths and tanners.
Read my post about why to visit these museums

2. See one of the prettiest churches in the Cape 
Swellendam attractions: Swellendam church
Don’t miss seeing the unusually lavish 1911 Dutch Reformed church with its eclectic baroque gables and gothic windows. You’ll find it on Voortrek Street and if you visit on a Sunday morning for service, you’ll be able to see inside as well.

While you’re here, you’re very close to another gorgeous old building worth taking a short walk to see. Facing the church, look to your right and at the top of the road is Schoone Oordt. Built in Georgian style in 1853, it was Victorianised in the late 19th century. Today, it’s a beautiful guest house.

3. Bike around town
Swellendam is small and quiet enough to be a pleasurable place to ride a bike. Bring yours with you and visit some of the major attractions at your leisure, from museums to art and photo galleries, restaurants and the beautiful Dutch Reformed church.

There’s also a number of mountain biking trails in the area, with single-track zipping through fynbos and plantations in the foothills of the Langeberg. There’s riding in Marloth Nature Reserve too (see point 4), for which you’ll need a permit from Cape Nature.

4. Go for a hike in Marloth Nature Reserve 
Swellendam activities: Marloth Nature Reserve for Swellendam hiking
Plants and hiking are the major focus at Cape Nature’s Marloth Nature Reserve, with a colourful display of mountain fynbos in spring. Go for a short day walk to the waterfall or strike out to the higher peaks for a more strenuous hike of up to 16km and some steep zig-zag sections. If you’re seriously fit, take on the peaks of Tienuurkop (1195m) and Twaalfuurkop (1450m). You can also explore the reserve by mountain bike or on horseback (see point 12). For more info, visit the reserve office or contact Cape Nature. (Another place worth visiting for hiking and mountain biking is Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, 45km from Swellendam.)

5. Visit the Bontebok National Park
Die Stroom, Bontebok National Park near Swellendam
Bontebok National Park is SANParks’ smallest park in South Africa. It doesn’t have the lions and elephants of Kruger, but you might see bontebok, red hartebeest, grey rhebok, steenbok and Cape mountain zebra on a game drive. There are short walks alongside the Breede River, a 9km mountain bike trail to Skilpad dam, and swimming and fishing in the river at Die Stroom (pictured above), where there’s also a picnic/braai site and lots of space for the kids to play. Find out about more things to do in Bontebok National Park.

6. Go shopping
Under the Oaks market in Swellendam
If you love shopping, you’ll find plenty of shops in Swellendam where you can browse and buy, from boutiques and antiques to country flowers or a nursery. Got an hour or two to spare? Get happily lost among the books at Bokmakiri Books, an independent bookshop. Visit Under the Oaks market on Saturday mornings from 9:00 till 13:00 for live music, cheese, crafts, cakes, quiches, berries, breakfast, coffee, baskets, crepes, locally made ice cream (try the lemon meringue flavour!) and local craft beer, with the call of the red-chested cuckoo as counterpoint. And if you’re a cheese lover, don’t miss the Keurbomen cheese shop about 3km from town on the R60.

7. Visit a pottery 
Things to do in Swellendam: visit Bukkenburg Pottery Studio, Swellendam
Swellendam has a vibrant art community, with a number of galleries. Don’t miss the Bukkenburg Pottery Studio of David Schlapobersky and Felicity Potter where you might find David at the wheel working on anything from a small bowl to an enormous jar for storing unwooded wine.

Show a genuine interest and he’s happy to chat and show you around, giving you a new appreciation for pottery as art, especially when he explains that it takes 18 hours to get the kiln to the required 1320oC. ‘Then we have to wait another two days for the kiln to cool down so we can see whether the work’s been successful or not,’ he says. Nerves of steel.

It’s a 100% home industry David’s been working at for 47 years, first in Joburg and from 1996 in Swellendam. He does everything himself, even mixing his own clay and making glazes, some of them in the old-fashioned Japanese way, from ash. Felicity does all the beautiful brush work.

8. Learn something new
Sign on for a course with the Swellendam Winter School and learn a new skill. Courses are grouped under categories, making it easier to find the ones you’re interested in: creative arts and design, nature and heritage, food and wine, home crafts and design, mind and body, and yoga retreats. The Winter School runs from May to August and courses may be one, two or five days in length. Think bread making, soap making, mind development, bird identification, organic gardening, hand printing and more. It’s a great chance to stay over in charming Swellendam accommodation and learn more about the town and its residents at the same time as stretching your brain.

9. Taste honey and see live bees 
Swellendam honey shop
Pop into Bee Things in Swellengrebel Street to watch live bees through glass and learn how they make honey in the comb. Best of all, you can taste around ten honey variants – from blue gum and strandveld to orange blossom and fynbos – before you decide on a favourite to buy. Good quality and flavour at less than supermarket prices. There are some honey-based toiletries too.

10. Visit a berry farm
There are two Swellendam berry farms where you can pick your own blackberries, youngberries and blueberries in season (November to January). At The Berry Farm you can also walk in a berry maze or enchanted forest, swim or canoe on the river, or enjoy a tractor ride. At Wildebraam Berry Estate you can also sample homemade products like liqueurs, jams and syrups even if you visit out of season. I’d recommend phoning ahead since personal attention may be lacking if they have a big group booking.

11. Take the kids to see the fairies
Sulina Faerie Sanctuary, Swellendam
If you have small children, take them to the Sulina Faerie Sanctuary in Buitekant Street to wander around mushroom rings and wishing wells in search of fairies. In reality the garden of potter and ceramicist Minky and Ian Sulin, it’s the sort of place I’d have loved when I was four or five, food for an overactive imagination.

12. Go horse riding in the mountains
If you love horses and nature, what better way to spend a few hours than by combining the two on an outride. Two Feathers Horse Trails offers rides through forests, across rivers and along the foothills of the Langeberg mountains in the Marloth Nature Reserve (see point 4). There are rides suitable for both beginners and experienced riders, but you must book at least a day ahead.

13. Sample some Swellendam restaurants
Swellendam restaurants: La Belle Alliance
There are more than 35 Swellendam restaurants and I’d be surprised if you couldn’t find the very thing you feel like eating at one of them. Pizza, burgers and toasties – check; fine dining in elegant surroundings – check; traditional South African fare like bobotie and malva pudding – check. There’s even a fine dining Italian restaurant.
Find out about some of my favourite Swellendam restaurants

14. Go on a river cruise
Go on a river cruise on the Buffelsjag River about 12km east of Swellendam. You don’t have to be staying at Umshanti to enjoy a cruise on the double-decker river boat but you do need to book ahead. Other activities on the property include hiking, canoeing, tandem microlight rides, cycling and swimming.

15. Do a township tour 
What to do in Swellendam: township tour with Meisie Bokwana
Meisie Bokwana of Ubuhle Besintu teaches local children in Railton about Xhosa culture and keeps them off the streets. If you join a township tour they’ll welcome you with enthusiastic song and dance before Meisie takes you on a walkabout to visit a shebeen and a sangoma. You can arrange to sample some traditional Xhosa cooking such as Inyama yenkomo or umngqusho too. The tour takes about two and a half hours and is a really insightful and fun outing for all ages. Phone Meisie on tel 084-7751269.
Find out more about my experience of this township tour

16. Stay over for a few nights
As you can see, there’s more than enough to do in Swellendam to occupy a few days, so it makes sense to book a stay at Swellendam accommodation. Choose from 5-star fully catered luxury, B&Bs, self-catering units and even budget-friendly camping. Google ’Swellendam accommodation’ to see what’s available for your dates and in your price range.
Find out some of my favourite accommodation in Swellendam

Further afield
17. Visit Suurbraak 
Suurbraak
Just past Buffeljagsrivier east of Swellendam you’ll find the turnoff to the little settlement of Suurbraak 28km away. Known as !Xairu to its Khoi-heritage residents, this is one of the oldest mission stations in the country. Old buildings around the village square have been restored, and there’s a ribbon of photogenic small houses along the road. 

18. Visit DJ Contemporary Art Gallery
While you're in Suurbraak, don’t miss popping in at Donovan Julius Contemporary Art Gallery to meet the friendly artist and see his vibrant artworks – or buy one of them. Find a bold world of colour created by self-taught artist Donovan, whose mission through his art classes is to inspire local kids to ‘dare to dream’.

19. Drive the Tradouw Pass 
Tradouw Pass
The Tradouw Pass starts 5km north of Suurbraak (see point 18) and connects the settlement with the Karoo town of Barrydale. Thomas Bain (who also built the Swartberg Pass near Prince Albert) completed the pass in 1873. Stop along the way to admire the old stonework, discover waterfalls and caves and get great views over the Tradouw River and the pass itself. For more on what to look out for on your drive, see my post Suurbraak at the foot of the Tradouw Pass.

20. Slurp a milkshake in Barrydale 
Diesel & Creme, Barrydale
Visit Diesel & Crème vintage diner in Barrydale for its vibe and décor. Admire the old tin signs advertising Castle beer, Pepsi, Lucky Strike or Castrol motor oil as you enjoy one of their signature milkshakes. My favourites are the Morning Glory (shot of espresso) and Vintage Villain (with bits of chocolate brownie), but there are lots of others to choose from.

Barrydale is a small town with a big personality so allow time to explore some of the shops or just wander the streets with your camera.
Find out more about things to do in Barrydale

You may also enjoy
Swellendam restaurants worth visiting
20 things to do in Malgas in the Overberg
Agulhas National Park: everything you need to know
22 things to do in Montagu, South Africa

Like it? Pin this image! 
Looking for things to do in Swellendam in South Africa? Here's what to do in Swellendam in this guide. It includes the Swellendam museum, one of the Cape’s prettiest churches, hiking in Marloth Nature Reserve, Bontebok National Park, shopping, Bukkenburg Pottery Studio, Swellendam Winter School, Swellendam berry farm, honey tasting, Swellendam restaurants and Swellendam accommodation, Swellendam township tour, horse riding, Suurbraak and Tradouw Pass and Barrydale milkshakes at Diesel & Creme
Looking for things to do in Swellendam in South Africa? Here's what to do in Swellendam in this guide. It includes the Swellendam museum, one of the Cape’s prettiest churches, hiking in Marloth Nature Reserve, Bontebok National Park, shopping, Bukkenburg Pottery Studio, Swellendam Winter School, Swellendam berry farm, honey tasting, Swellendam restaurants and Swellendam accommodation, Swellendam township tour, horse riding, Suurbraak and Tradouw Pass and Barrydale milkshakes at Diesel & Creme
Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
11 Comments
Steven
8/4/2020 09:27:07 pm

My best cup of coffee I have had recently was at Ikigai in Swellendam.
I agree, it’s well worth a stopover. We travel to Wilderness and Knysna often and in the past by passed Swellendam. Only recently after stopping and exploring the town have we discovered what a gem it is and what fantastic restaurants they have. Ikigai is a must for good coffee and food.

Reply
Roxanne
9/4/2020 02:49:55 pm

Ah, Steven, it's good to hear that you've discovered the delights of Swellendam. If you follow the link to my Swellendam restaurants post you'll see that Ikigai is one of my favourites too.

Reply
Melanie Bezuidenhout
21/3/2021 05:48:30 pm

Is the shops open on a public holiday in Swellendam. We staying over in George, planning nice bike ride to Swellendam

madhu sharma
11/4/2020 09:41:25 am

Wow what a beautiful and pleasant place and so many things to do.i would love to visit

Reply
Roxanne
11/4/2020 01:37:25 pm

It's a lovely town, Madhu. I particularly enjoy the fact that it's surrounded by beautiful nature you can enjoy on hikes or horseback.

Reply
Paula Martinelli link
11/4/2020 04:23:35 pm

I love your itinerary, as my favorite places to visit are finding authentic experiences around the world. I loved South Africa and next time I need to include this itinerary too. Great pot and pictures!

Reply
Roxanne
13/4/2020 09:07:07 am

Thanks, Paula. I love winkling out new and different destinations for people to visit, especially ones they may have overlooked i the past.

Reply
David Hall
19/9/2020 12:21:39 am

My parents & myself are strongly considering moving to the Western Cape from Gauteng, & Swellendam is one of the towns we are thinking of buying property. Just looking at the pictures on the internet makes me wish I was already living there, giving me goosebumps!

Reply
Roxanne
19/9/2020 11:20:49 am

Ah, David, if I were to relocate Swellendam would be high up on my list too. It really is a beautiful town, surrounded by nature and with a strong community spirit. Hope it works out well for you!

Reply
Kobie
17/12/2020 06:33:50 pm

I am from Stilbay and would like to spend a day with my daughter in law in Swellendam - can you recomment a day spa for us to have a treatment or two and then do the shopping and eating thing. We plan to do this 4Januarie 2021

Reply
Roxanne
11/1/2021 12:25:55 pm

I'm so sorry, Kobie, but this comment has only recently come through for some reason. Not that I'd have been able to help you anyway. The Rain shop used to have a spa but that is was closed a while back and I don't know of any others. I've just Googled it and come up with this https://www.dekloof.co.za/spa-hotel-swellendam-dekloof-luxury-estate/. I'm not sure that spas are really operating properly during Covid-19 lockdown. I hope you found somewhere.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Get email links to the latest posts

    Buy my books
    Travels in the Kalahari, amazon.com e-book
    E-book 2012​

    A Walk in the Park, amazon.com e-book
    2nd ed e-book 2015
    The Essential Guide to Self-Editing, amazon.com e-book
    E-book 2017

    About 

    I'm an independent travel writer and book editor with a passion for Africa - anything from African travel, people, safari and wildlife to adventure, heritage, road-tripping and slow travel.
    My travel buddy and husband Keith is the primary photographer for this blog.
    We're happiest in the middle of nowhere, meeting the locals, trying something new, or simply watching the grass grow.
    Use this website to discover new places to go, revisit places you've loved, or take a virtual tour of destinations you only dream about.

    Categories

    All
    Baviaanskloof
    Books
    Botswana
    Camping
    Cape Town
    Chobe
    Conservation
    Drc
    Eastern Cape
    Etosha Namibia
    Food
    Free State
    Garden Route
    Gauteng
    Issues
    Kalahari
    Karoo
    Kenya
    Kruger National Park
    Kwazulu Natal
    Lesotho
    Limpopo
    Linyanti
    Malawi
    Mozambique
    Mpumalanga
    Namaqualand
    Namibia
    Nature Parks
    Northern Cape
    Okavango
    Overberg
    People
    Photography
    Richtersveld
    Tanzania
    West Coast
    Western Cape
    Wild Creatures
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe

    Archives

    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    January 2010
    November 2009


Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without written permission from roxannereid.co.za

Privacy Policy, GDPR and POPIA compliance
​* We promise that we take data safety seriously and use your private data only to offer a personalised experience
* If you subscribed to our newsletter, you will receive our newsletters. You can always unsubscribe by following the link in email or by emailing us
* If you gave us your name, it will only be used to personalise the newsletters
* We have never sold, we are not selling, and we will not sell any of your personal data provided to us
* The blog uses cookies to track activity. It is anonymous except for telling us your location and what you did on our blog
​
Photo from berniedup