Tulbagh, Cape Winelands
Just 80 minutes’ drive north of Cape Town, at the northern edge of one of the most beautiful fertile valleys in the country, lies the historical town of Tulbagh. The village nestles in amongst the Winterhoek, Witzenberg and Obiqua Mountains, which surround it on three sides and provide one of the most beautiful settings in the Western Cape.
Proteas and herbs grow wild here and peaches, pears and 70 percent of the country’s plums are farmed in the shadow of the mountains. The valley is perhaps best known for its production of some of the country’s finest wines. Estate wines such as Twee Jonge Gezellen, Drostdyhof and Theuniskraal originate in the valley known as Het Land van Waveren where wines have been cultivated since 1906. (See Wine Routes).
Extreme day and night temperatures and the mountainous backdrop, which creates a number of different mesoclimates, together with extremely variable soils in the valley, create some notable wines. Interesting for the connoisseur is the valley’s unique ‘cold trap’ phenomenon - the horseshoe shape of the mountains creates a bowl in which cold night time air lies undisturbed forming a bubble, which is trapped under warming air during the day.
Tulbagh is perfectly placed for day trips to Cape Town, Franschhoek, Paarl, Malmesbury, Stellenbosch, Worcester and Rawsonville as well as the Cape West Coast and, if you plan your trip accordingly, offers some of the best displays of veld flowers between April and October, making local walks and hikes an utter pleasure.
Additional Reading
For more info about Tulbagh see our articles on the SA Travel News Blog: • Tulbagh and its hidden secrets • Sipping organic wine at Waverley Hills
Travellers' Reviews
3 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
A story of travel, told in a compact surprise in Tulbagh. If Tulbagh, is not a lovely little secret itself; Things that I love, because everything that you love too.
Thando (Cape Town)
Verified review
If you enjoy exploring the countryside, little town, wine and nature then Tulbagh is a Must-Do town! We stayed in a self catering cottage (Dreamcatcher) which was delightful and we walked absolutely everywhere. There is plenty to do and see!! Lovely little shops to explore - go do a chocolate tasting at moniki's, you can do a few wine tastings and go hiking or horse riding. Just go! You'll love it!
Christine (Cape Town)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options

The Witzenberg Country Inn
The Witzenberg Country Inn is a charming guest house, previously an hotel, that has been converted to provide outstanding bed and breakfast accom...

Rijks Wine Estate & Hotel
Rijks Wine Estate & Hotel offers accommodation in Tulbagh. Set in the vineyards, the establishment is all about food, wine and relaxing with a fr...

Tulbagh Country Guest House
Tulbagh Country Manor is the jewel in the Quarters crown. Guests enjoy the luxury of Old World charm and experience grand Cape Dutch living, surr...

The Boathouse at Oakhurst Olives
The Boathouse at Oakhurst Olives offers accommodation set against the slopes of the Groot Winterhoek Mountains. This tranquil farming valley is n...

Cape Dutch Quarters
The Cape Dutch Quarters is situated in the middle of old Tulbagh village, and nestled between two museums. The old Cape Dutch road of Church Stre...

Mountain Cabin
Mountain Cabin offers self catering accommodation in Wolseley at the foot of the Witzenberg Mountains. The chalet sleeps four guests in two bedro...

Essere Lodge Guest House
Essere Lodge Guest House is set in 44 acres of woods and surrounded by mountains. Each one of the rooms has tea / coffee making facilities and a ...

Buffalo Drift
Located in the Breede River Valley, Buffalo Drift is situated on Ruigtevlei Farm, near Tulbagh. This working farm on the banks of the lush Berg R...

African Tulip Guesthouse
African Tulip Guesthouse is set in a beautiful garden teeming with bird life and offering stunning mountain views. Within walking distance of the...

Welbedacht Nature Reserve
Just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town, Welbedacht offers a stunning retreat in the country. Fully equipped, self catering cottages tucked away...

Dreamcatcher
The Dreamcatcher in Tulbagh offers Luxurious self catering or bed & breakfast accommodation in Tulbagh which offers visitors a tranquil stay, awa...


Reflections Guest Farm
Reflections Guest Farm is a 70 hectare farm-resort getaway, directly off a tarred road, nestled in the beautiful and historic Tulbagh Valley. Stu...

Morgansvlei Country Estate
Morgansvlei Country Estate is a working wine estate which provides comfortable accommodation in five rooms. The estate has a swimming pool and co...

Raptor Rise
Raptor Rise offers a selection of self-catering accommodation just 6kms from Tulbagh in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Positioned at the foot o...

Duikersdrift Winelands Country Escape
All guest cottages at Duikersdrift boast spectacular, uninterrupted mountain views while the private patios with fireplace are the perfect place ...

Wittedrift Manor House
Wittedrift Manor House is an impressive Cape Dutch style house in Tulbagh. From here you are ideally located close to restaurants, shops, museums...

House 22 Tulbagh Road
House 22, Tulbagh Road is an old railway house that has been newly renovated. Accommodation is offered in a three bedroom house and a one bedroom...


Wild Olive Farm
Nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Witzenburg mountain range of the Tulbagh Valley lies Wild Olive Farm. On this working wine and olive fa...

Oudekloof Guest House
Oudekloof Guest House is located on the Oudekloof Wine Estate and provides accommodation for a total of twenty two guests. The wine estate is set...

Saronsberg Vineyard Cottages
Saronsberg Vineyard Cottages are situated just outside the historic town of Tulbagh on the slopes of the Saronsberg Mountains just 120km from Cap...

The Wagon Shed
This fully equipped self-catering unit in Tulbagh sleeps two guests in an open plan living / kitchen area, with an en suite bath and shower room....

Big Sky Villa
Big Sky Villa offers self catering accommodation in the heart of Tulbagh. The area is well known for its olive farms, wine farms and churches. Th...

Manley Wine Lodge
Manley Wine Lodge is located in the history rich area Tulbagh; just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town. Manley is an award winning wine farm off...

Tulbagh Mountain Manor
Tulbagh Mountain Manor is situated amongst the orchards and vineyards with spectacular views of the valley. All rooms have a bar fridge, tea / c...

Tulbagh Mountain Manor
Tulbagh Mountain Manor is situated amongst the orchards and vineyards with spectacular views of the valley. All rooms have a bar fridge, tea / c...

Mont Rouge Cottages
Boasting breathtaking mountain views, these self catering riverside cottages in Tulbagh are child friendly, affordable and spacious. Choose betwe...

Guinevere Guest Farm
The farm house is only a 1.5 hours’ drive from Cape Town and is the ultimate self-catering farm accommodation and venue for a large private group...

Tulbagh Boutique Heritage Hotel
Founded in 1859 the Tulbagh Boutique Heritage Hotel is centrally located, walking distance from all Tulbagh amenities. The hotel offers a spaciou...

Eikelaan Farm Cottages
An outing to Eikelaan is viewed as a complete ‘break from reality’ and a total switch off from the buzz of the city life – great for re charging ...

Tulbagh Travellers Lodge
Tulbagh Travellers Lodge offers guests spacious accommodation in clean, well-decorated bright and sunny rooms. A large open-plan communal kitchen...

Fraaigelegen Farm
Fraaigelegen Farm offers total serenity in three self catering cottages with magnificent views. Choose from our three cottages, Shiraz, Cabernet ...

Oude Compagnies Post
Oude Compagnies Post is located 7.4km outside the historic town of Tulbagh and offers self catering accommodation in cozy thatched cottages. Oude...

Vindoux Guest Farm
This family run retreat is set on a working fruit and wine farm, offering you total relaxation and rejuvenation only 90 minutes from Cape Town. V...

Orchards Guest Farm
If you are looking for an escape from the stresses of life, relax in the countryside in your own private house tucked away between the apricot an...
Things to do in the area

Things I Love
Located in the tranquil village of Tulbagh, with access from both the historical Church Street and van der Stel Street, you will find a deli with...

Dine at Paddagang Restaurant
In the heart of the historic town of Tulbagh, hungry souls will find this unusually named eatery a joy, where traditional Boland cuisine and fine...

Dine at the Tulbagh Hotel
The 4 Star Tulbagh Hotel offers a spacious but cozy dining area and lounge bar. Al fresco dining for those balmy summer evenings, either out on t...

Orchards Cooking School
Why not enhance your cooking skills or brush up on international cuisine like Italian, Lebanese or Thai at our cooking school on the farm. Our Mi...

Saronsberg Theatre
Take in a show at the intimate theatre on the second floor of this lovingly restored building, followed by a meal at more than one restaurant wit...

Taste Moniki's famous Belgian chocolates
Moniki's home is Schoonderzicht Farm, a historic farm in the Witzenberg mountains of Tulbagh. Moniki is open for chocolate tastings. Wine and cho...

Wine Tasting at The House of Krone
The Twee Jonge Gezellen Estate has been in the family since 1710 and happens to be one of those family legacies which gets passed on through time...

Wine Tasting at Theuniskraal
In the early 1700’s, Theunis Bevernagie settled in a fertile valley guarded by the towering Witzenberg and Winterhoek mountains, and fed by the K...

Oude Kerk Volksmuseum
The Oude Kerk Volksmuseum in Tulbagh is home to three buildings on the historic Church Street. After an earthquake in 1969 it was decided that mo...
Noteworthy attractions

Huguenot Memorial Museum
The story of the Huguenot Memorial Museum is quite fascinating, and lends the building and its contents a certain charm and intrigue. In the 1700...

Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
The 42,000 ha Reserve stretches from Elgin in the south to beyond Villiersdorp in the north, and from the Stellenbosch mountains in the west, eas...

Stellenbosch Wine Route
Just 45 minutes from Cape Town, the Stellenbosch wine route is the oldest in the country and represents over 300 wineries. Because of this it is ...

Wijnland Auto Museum
There are those who live in Cape Town and its surrounds who have not even heard of the Wijnland Auto Museum, one of the most interesting places t...

Paarl Vintners Wine Route
Paarl Vintners has earned its place as the world’s first ‘red route’ because of its focus on wines such as Roodeberg, Cabernet Sauvignon, port an...

Huguenot Monument
The Huguenot Monument is dedicated to the cultural influences that French Huguenots have brought to the Cape Colony after their immigration durin...

Limietberg Nature Reserve
Lying in the Du Toitskloof Mountains close to Paarl, Limietberg Nature Reserve is a beautiful space in which to spend time, particularly if you a...

Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
The beautiful Jonkershoek Nature Reserve lies in the Jonkershoek Valley just above Stellenbosch. Surrounded by the magnificent Jonkershoek Mounta...

Paarl Golf Club
The course is laid out over an indulgent 140 hectares and the 27 holes have been grouped into the Berg River, Paarl and Boschenmeer “Nines.” The ...
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