Southern Africa
48 hours in Tulbagh, South Africa
Where to stay, eat and play in Tulbagh
Tulbagh is still a little less polished than the more famous towns of the Cape Winelands, but that’s changing – and fast. Tucked into a valley in the Western Cape of South Africa, this historic town, lined with Cape Dutch architecture and framed by vineyards and the Obiqua, Winterhoek and Witzenberg mountains, is stepping into the spotlight with boutique stays, independent wine farms and restaurants championing local flavours. Mornings start on Church Street, where time feels suspended, afternoons stretch over long lunches and wine tastings and evenings end around the fire, glass in hand. It’s laid-back, full of character and on the brink of something big. Get there before everyone else does – here’s how to spend 48 perfect hours in Tulbagh.
Day 01
15.00
It’s check-in time
Arriving at Ballotina – the grandest and most beautiful house on Tulbagh’s historic Church Street – feels like stepping into a period film, only softer, warmer and effortlessly livable. This stretch of town is home to South Africa’s largest collection of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings – each with its own story but none quite like this. Built in 1814, Ballotina has been everything from a school to a restaurant, now reimagined by Jamie White and Joakim Silvanderson as a refined countryside retreat. Inside, Burmese teak beams and deep-hued walls catch the shifting light of the chandeliers. Outside, manicured hedges and quiet ponds frame a boma firepit (outdoor fireplace for cooking and gathering) and a bougainvillea-draped terrace. Mornings unfold on the patio with the two resident cats curled in our laps, nights around the boma – flames flickering, country air crisp – before slipping unseen into the pool under a sky dense with stars.
Ballotina
Church St
Tulbagh
South Africa
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Photography courtesy of Ballotina
17.00
Take a GPS audio tour through Church Street
After check-in, embark on a journey through Church Street. With smartphone in hand, you can listen to a guided GPS audio tour through this historic street, listening to curated stories about centuries-old churches, stately manors and hidden alleys that once echoed with the footsteps of early settlers.
Check out the Cape Dutch Quarters website for instructions on how to download the walking tour. This 60-minute walking tour, spanning approximately 1.4 kilometers, is led by Jayson Augustyn-Clark, a Tulbagh resident with deep ties to the community and it provides insights into the history and architecture of Church Street. The tour begins at the Earthquake Museum, located at the Tulbagh Tourism Information Centre.
Church St
Tulbagh
South Africa
19.00
Head over to Daphne’s Bistro at Duikersdrift for dinner
As twilight settles over Tulbagh, head over to Daphne’s Bistro at Duikersdrift wine farm for some Italian cuisine. The bistro offers a relaxed ambience, with a rustic décor interior featuring reclaimed wood accents, soft lighting and large windows framing breathtaking views of rolling vineyards. On the menu you’ll find a variety of traditional Italian dishes – try one of the homemade pastas or wood-fired pizzas! If the weather permits, we highly recommend sitting outside, where you can enjoy the fresh air and views, but if you visit on a chilly day, the indoor area with the cosy fireplace is a hit.
Daphne’s Bistro
Duikersdrift Winelands Country Escape
Tulbagh
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Daphne’s Bistro
Day 02
09.00
Try a traditional South African breakfast at Kole & Deeg
Start your day right with a traditional South African breakfast. Renowned for their traditional roosterkoek – a South African classic of grilled bread rolls – the eatery offers a breakfast menu that enhances the breakfast classics, like eggs Benedict, with a South African twist. We love that their eggs benny is served on a roosterkoek! They also have farmhouse breakfast options served with roosterkoek and boerewors. Pair it with a freshly brewed coffee made from their house blend beans and you are set for a great day. They also bake exceptional pastries – grab one on the way out for a mid-morning snack!
Kole & Deeg
29 Van Der Stel St
Tulbagh
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Kole & Deeg
10.00
Enjoy a olive tasting at Oakhurst Olives
Next up, head to Oakhurst for an immersive olive tasting experience that showcases their award-winning products. The tasting sessions provide insights into the cultivation and production processes, allowing you to appreciate the olives and distinct flavour even more. The Du Toit family pours their heart into every product they make on Lemoendrif farm, from extra virgin olive oils and preserves to Kalamata and natural green olives – all crafted with the utmost care. The tasting room is set against the backdrop of the Groot Winterhoek Mountains, with stylish interiors that complement the exceptional olives and enhance the overall tasting experience.
Oakhurst Olives
Waveren St
Tulbagh
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Oakhurst Olives
11.00
Time to get bubbly and artsy at Krone
The historic Twee Jonge Gezellen Estate, the home of Krone that was established over 300 years ago, is your one stop spot for bubbles, bites, art and all round good vibes. While the main attraction is the tasting experience that includes Krone’s vintage-only Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) sparkling wines, there is a lot to look forward to at this Tulbagh hotspot. In collaboration with What If The World gallery, Krone established the Krone x What If The World Artist Residency Programme in 2019. This initiative provides artists with the freedom to create ambitious works without commercial constraints. Beyond the visual arts, Krone has also ventured into the culinary arts by hosting chef residencies. These events often feature collaborations with renowned chefs, creating multi sensory experiences that excite the palate and the senses. The estate’s evolution into a cultural hotspot is significantly attributed to Abigail Rands, the Marketing Director of Twee Jonge Gezellen. Since the Rands family’s acquisition of the farm in 2012, Abigail, alongside her brother Svend, has been instrumental in revitalising the estate, bridging its rich heritage with contemporary art, culture and food.
Krone
Twee Jonge Gezellen Estate Road
Tulbagh
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Krone
12.00
Savour some of South Africa’s best Shiraz at Saronsberg
You can’t visit Tulbagh and not taste one of Saronsberg’s award-winning Shiraz wines. They offer not only one but three Shiraz wines, plus a red blend that contains a bit of their delectable Shiraz. Here you can enjoy a tasting in their beautifully designed tasting room or sip and relax under the shade of the oaks with views of the lake and green landscapes. Saronsberg is renowned for its award-winning Shiraz, the Sekelmaan Shiraz, characterized by dark berry flavors, delicate floral notes and a spice infusion, but we also love their Full Circle blend – a must-try when visiting the farm. If you have time, also pop into the on-site art gallery, also well worth seeing!
Saronsberg Wine Cellar
Waveren Road
Tulbagh
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Saronsberg Wine Cellar
13.00
Grab a slice of pizza at Montpellier Wine Estate
Montpellier Wine Estate is set on a stunning historic Cape Dutch farm in the heart of Tulbagh, featuring interiors that are furnished with a dark and moody colour palette and a sunny outdoor space that is surrounded by trees and nature. Head over to their glass-encased restaurant to grab a slice of their wood-fired pizza, prepared in their outdoor pizza oven and sit back and take in the lush surroundings while enjoying a comforting slice of pizza paired with one of their wines (we recommend giving their bubbly a try!) You’ll also find a variety of charming accommodation options at Montpellier De Tulbagh, ranging from classic rooms in the Manor House to stylish cellar loft apartments – worth checking out for your next visit!
Montpellier Wine Estate
2 Jonge Gezellen Road
Tulbagh
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Montpellier Wine Estate
15.00
Experience an unique wine tasting at Oude Compagnes Post
Move on to Oude Compagnes Post for a last wine tasting experience in the charming Tulbagh. Set against a backdrop of timeworn stone structures and centuries-old vines, this estate offers a unique glimpse into the legacy of Tulbagh’s winemaking traditions. Here, winemaker Dirk Swanepoel not only walks you through a carefully curated selection of wines but also shares interesting stories about the estate’s heritage and its evolution over generations. Some of the handcrafted wines you have to try are their interesting white Pinotage and their Rosé. For a cool experience, you can opt for a guided hike to the Yellowwood forest, followed by a wine tasting.
Oude Compagnes Post
2 Jonge Gezellen Road
Tulbagh
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Oude Compagnes Post
19.00
Settle in for dinner at the Olive Terrace Bistro
End off the day at the Olive Terrace Bistro, located within the Tulbagh Boutique Heritage Hotel. Set among ancient olive groves and against a backdrop of rolling hills, this bistro offers a relaxing dining experience under the soft glow of twilight. The outdoor terrace, with its rustic wooden tables and twinkling fairy lights, created an atmosphere that was both casual and inviting. You can also opt to sit inside, where the fireplace creates an intimate and cosy ambience. The menu showcases South African cuisine, but spiced up in innovative ways and presented beautifully alongside a curated wine and drinks list that highlight local producers.
Olive Terrace Bistro
Tulbagh Boutique Heritage Hotel
22 Van Der Stel St
Tulbagh
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Olive Terrace Bistro
Day 03
09.00
Where breakfast means business
Locals go crazy for the 2025 addition of Chef & Co, a deli, bakery and eatery rolled into one by Chef Pieter Malan. It’s the kind of spot that feels like an instant classic – laid-back but polished, with a menu that celebrates fresh, local ingredients. Breakfast is a serious affair here, from the Tulbagh Benedict with smoked trout and MCC hollandaise to the Skottel Breakfast stacked with farm eggs and boerewors sausages. Flaky croissants and buttermilk scones fly off the bakery shelves, while lunch offers gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads and pantry staples to take home. Whether lingering over coffee or stocking up on artisanal treats, Chef & Co is already a Tulbagh essential.
Chef & Co
61 van der Stel Street
Tulbagh
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Chef & Co
10.00
Hike the Waterfall Trail or Merludi trail
For your final adventure, Tulbagh invites you to embrace its rugged natural beauty with an invigorating hike along the Waterfall Trail. The Waterfall Trail, a moderately challenging hike that meanders through indigenous fynbos and bumpy outcrops shaped by millennia of natural forces. The path, marked by ancient stone steps and winding routes, leads you to a series of cascading waterfalls that glistened in the morning sun. Along the way, you’ll encounter a diversity of local flora and fauna, each contributing to the area’s unique ecosystem. There is no better way to end off your time in Tulbagh than with some fresh mountain air and lush fynbos landscapes – it’s a great experience to see Tulbagh from a different vantage point.
Waterval Nature Reserve
Old Tulbagh Road
Tulbagh
South Africa
12.00
Grab lunch at The Taste at Manley Wine Estate
Before bidding farewell to Tulbagh, enjoy a final lunch at The Taste at Manley Wine Estate. The Taste is run by Chef Nadia Beutler, who brings locally inspired cuisine to life with some innovative flair. The menu features South African favourites but with a twist, like the bobotie spring rolls, served with homemade dried fruit chutney. We think the slow roasted Springbok shank is a must, paired with the Manley Shiraz and the seafood linguine is a close second – featuring mussels, prawns and Patagonian squid in a creamy white wine and lemon sauce. This is the right way to end off your trip in Tulbagh – with a meal you will remember for a lifetime!
The Taste
at Manley Wine Estate
Winterhoek Rd
Tulbagh
South Africa
Photography courtesy of The Taste
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