Swartland, Western Cape
The Swartland, otherwise known as the wheat and rooibos-producing part of the Western Cape, lies between Malmesbury in the south, across the Riebeek Valley to Piketberg in the north, Darling in the west, to the Oliphants Mountain at Porterville in the east. It begins only 50 kilometres outside of Cape Town making it fairly accessible to visitors, and its undulating wheat fields, vineyards and deep river valleys have been the topic of many a photographer’s lens.
This incredibly beautiful, yet often overlooked, area is named for its wide fertile plains that, after the rains in winter, turn black (swart land means black land in Afrikaans). The wide, fertile plains are filled with golden wheat fields that have contributed to its status as the bread basket of the Cape. There are as many landscapes as there are seasons and the blazing wheat is interspersed with wine, fruit and olive plantations that give rise to a patchwork quilt of colour.
Darling, close to Cape Town and the highlight of many visits to this region, is home to Evita se Perron, the popular theatre and signature landmark of long time resident Pieter Dirk Uys that combines a restaurant with a little cabaret theatre.
Many of the vines on the Swartland Wine Route, which are visibly sign-posted and stretch throughout the region, grow under dryland conditions in bush form, which means they are not watered, resulting in a particularly excellent quality and flavour of wine, much sought after for blending with wine from irrigated vineyards.
Included within the parameters of the Swartland, the Riebeek Valley has fast become a draw card for artists and those seeking alternative country-style living. Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel, twin towns that lie virtually on top of one another at the foot of the Kasteelberg, are extremely popular and worth a visit.
Destinations / Town & Suburbs of the Swartland
Darling
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Darling
The charming little village of Darling lies between vineyards and golden wheat fields only 75km from Cape Town along the West Coast road and 25km from the beach at Yzerfontein. Traditionally known for its spectacular wildflowers ... darling information
Elands Bay
Where to Stay: Swartland Accommodation
Eland’s Bay is one of those gems that have managed to elude the rush of development and city dwellers to stake their claim on a piece of the coast - this is sand and sea with little else to lure the average holiday maker ... elands bay information
Koringberg
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Koringberg
Koringberg may be one of the lesser known villages in the Swartland, but the Koringberg mountain biking trail is slowly putting the town on the map. This day ride, to a secret destination that rises up from the normally flat Swartland ... koringberg information
Malmesbury
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Malmesbury
The main town of the Swartland lies at the centre of one of the country's most important wheat-producing areas. Just outside town, the Swartland Wine Cellar and the Italian Cheese Factory offer delicious tastings ... malmesbury information
Moorreesburg
Where to Stay: Swartland Accommodation
Not only is Moorreesburg the heart of a strong farming community but it also has one of only three wheat museum’s in the world. This one in particular attracts tourists and it’s a bonus that the local high school has now opened ... moorreesburg information
Piketberg
Where to Stay: Swartland Accommodation
The small, farming town of Piketberg lies at the foot of the Piketberg Mountain range, surrounded by fields of wheat that change colour with the seasons - from reddish brown to golden yellow in summer, and green in ... piketberg information
Porterville
Where to Stay: Swartland Accommodation
Porterville is a quaint town nestled on the slopes of the Olifant's River Mountains. Situated 140 kilmetres from Cape Town, Porterville is a friendly, welcoming town which is well known amongst locals as the paragliding and ... porterville information
Riebeek Kasteel
Where to Stay: Swartland Accommodation
Lying in the heart of the Riebeek Valley on the slopes of the Kasteelberg (castle mountain), Riebeek Kasteel is an easy 75 kilometre drive along the N7 from Cape Town in the heart of the Swartland. It is believed to ... riebeek kasteel information
Riebeek West
Where to Stay: Swartland Accommodation
One of two comparable towns lying in the stunning Riebeek Valley - Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel - with views that have had many a day tripper making rash decisions to relocate, Riebeek West might be regarded as the ... riebeek west information
Swartland
Featured and "Must See" Attractions in the Swartland
Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area
Groot Winterhoek Wilderness area, with its extraordinary rock formations and popular hiking routes, lies about 120 km north of Cape Town in the Western Cape. The Reserve is situated in the Groot Winterhoek mountain range, north of Tulbagh and east of Porterville. The greater Groot Winterhoek ... more information
Swartland Wine Route
Meaning ‘black country’ and named after the indigenous Renosterbos, which turns a dark colour at a certain time of the year, the wine route extends from Darling on the west coast down to the Oliphants Mountain at Porterville in the east and includes Malmesbury, Riebeek Valley and Piketberg in the north ... more information
Swartberg Nature Reserve
The Swartberg Nature Reserve lies in the Oudtshoorn district between the Great Karoo and Little Karoo, bordered by the Gamka River in the west and the Uniondale / Willowmore road in the east. The Swartberg Reserve encompasses 121,000 heactares of mostly state-owned land. Gamkapoort ... more information
Swartland
Featured Things To Do in the Swartland
Take flight in a Microlight
Where: Malmesbury
How much (per person): R501 to R1000
A microlight is the ultimate flying experience with its open cockpit leaving it to be considered the motorbike of the sky. Your supplied gea ... more information
Evita se Perron
Where: Darling
How much (per person): R1 to R100
It is virtually a sacrilege, if anywhere in the vicinity of Darling (and why wouldn’t you visit the pretty, quaint little town with its many ... more information
Swartland
Holiday Accommodation in Swartland
For accommodation in the Swartland see:
• Darling Accommodation
• Koringberg Accommodation
• Malmesbury Accommodation
Or to see all accommodation in this region at once, visit Swartland Accommodation.
Visiting the Swartland?
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destinations / attractions in the western cape
