Franschhoek, South Africa
Babylonstoren: don’t miss these 24 highlights (+ 2025 updates)
Your full guide to Babylonstoren, South Africa’s most iconic farm
Babylonstoren is unlike any place you’ll find anywhere in the world, and it’s got to be at the top of your bucket list for South Africa. Founded by Karen Roos and Koos Bekker, this 1692 Cape Dutch farm in Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands isn’t just a place to explore – it’s a chance to connect with something from another time and place. Since its opening to the public in 2007, we’ve visited regularly, watching it grow and evolve. Whether you’re wandering the 5-hectare garden, stepping back in time at Soetmelksvlei or getting hands-on in a workshop, every corner of Babylonstoren offers something fresh. Here’s the ultimate guide to experiencing this one-of-a-kind destination.
Photography courtesy of Babylonstoren
Table of Contents
What is Babylonstoren, and what makes the historic farm a one-of-a-kind experience in the world?
The first time we visited Babylonstoren many years ago, it was all about the garden. Spread over 5 hectares (12 acres) in Franschhoek, it’s the estate’s heart, inspired by Cape Town’s historic Company’s Garden and the mythical Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
But Babylonstoren’s story started in 2007 when Karen Roos, former Elle Decoration South Africa editor, and her husband, Koos Bekker, set out to turn this historic 1692 farm into something extraordinary. Their vision was clear: create a place where heritage meets modern innovation, bringing the farm’s history to life in a way that’s hands-on and engaging.
Designed by French architect Patrice Taravella, the garden is a space that pulls you in. Kids pick berries from the bushes, adults taste herbs straight from the earth and geese and chickens wander around as if they own the place. The garden, with its 15 unique clusters, from veggie patches to a prickly pear maze, isn’t just to look at – it’s a working, tasting, touching experience where everything has a purpose, whether it’s medicinal, edible or simply beautiful.
A step back in time
Babylonstoren is a breathing slice of history. Roos and Bekker’s vision was to keep the past alive in every corner, from the 1777 Manor House to the 300-year-old wine cellar still in use today. Their latest addition, Soetmelksvlei, is a must-see – a fully immersive 19th-century village where master craftspeople show off skills like metal forging and butter churning. It’s a place where history is literally happening in real time. Families can wander through the recreated farmhouses, watch ox wagon rides or relax with moerkoffie and fresh bread in the farmhouse kitchen.
Always something new
From the start, Babylonstoren has been about preserving history, but also constantly evolving. With over 100,000 visitors each year, the estate has become a destination for those looking to get hands-on, whether that means distilling their own gin, keeping bees or learning to make pasta from scratch (which we loved!). Roos and Bekker have created a space that’s true to its roots but never stuck in the past – always adding new layers that keep things fresh and engaging.
Looking ahead, Babylonstoren plans to keep expanding, with more workshops, new experiences and deeper connections to the land. Here, whether you’re watching geese waddle by, sampling something straight from the garden or just soaking up the atmosphere, it’s all about enjoying life’s simple, beautifully crafted moments.
Stay
Farmhouse
The Farmhouse is the place for those that simply don’t want to leave Babylonstoren after the day. Located under a canopy of trees, this space blends authentic architecture with modern, moody design – creating a refined yet inviting atmosphere. The suites feature four-poster king beds, marble bathrooms, and contemporary furniture, offering a blend of comfort and style. Above the green Butterfly Room – home to a rare collection of butterflies – lies one of Africa’s most beautiful honeymoon suites. With its peaceful, adults-only setting, the Farmhouse is perfect for a quiet escape. And no matter which stay you choose, you’ll get breakfast, full garden access, guided walks, fishing, cycling, and other farm activities thrown in.
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Garden Cottages
The Garden Cottages offer a blend of relaxed farm charm and sophisticated design, with some of the estate’s original farm buildings transformed into elegant guest accommodation. Adjacent to a 3.5-hectare fruit and vegetable garden, the cottages are defined by thick whitewashed walls, elegant gables and hearty fireplaces, evoking an authentic farm stay. Inside, contemporary touches come to life with furniture by renowned international designers like Philippe Starck and the Bourellec Bros. Accommodation options include six one-bedroom suites, three one-bedroom cottages and four two-bedroom cottages, each featuring luxurious en-suite bathrooms, curated bookshelves and a unique mix of Cape Dutch style and modern comforts, including a glass-walled kitchen area.
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Fynbos Cottages
Opened in early 2019, the Fynbos Cottages at Babylonstoren are nestled among vineyards and orchards, offering a beautiful blend of Cape Dutch architecture and modern design. Each cottage has thick walls, elegant gables, and a glass cube kitchen that floods the space with light. The real highlight, though, is waking up to breathtaking views of the estate and the mountains beyond. On our stay, mornings started with a bike ride through the vineyards, followed by a dip in the vitality pool – a glass-fronted beauty that feels more like a hidden sanctuary. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after exploring the farm’s natural wonders.
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Fynbos Family House
One of two truly family-friendly options at Babylonstoren, the Fynbos Family House is a perfect getaway for families or groups of friends who want to share a private space. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Simonsberg and Franschhoek mountains, this Cape Dutch-style home sleeps up to ten guests in five en-suite bedrooms, each with a fireplace and a luxurious bath to soak away the day. The heart of the house is the private courtyard with a crystal-clear pool, fed by a shallow stream that brings the soothing sound of trickling water. It’s a place made for lazy mornings, shared meals, and plenty of poolside relaxation.
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Manor House
The Manor House, built in 1777, is a stunning example of Cape Dutch architecture with a unique blend of history and modern flair. This exclusive home accommodates up to ten guests across five individually styled bedrooms, each with a king-size bed, and two rooms with the option to convert to twins. The interior is thoughtfully restored, combining period details with contemporary touches. Shelves are lined with carefully chosen books and the traditional farm kitchen features an old wood-burning stove that’s perfect for cool evenings. Outside, guests can enjoy the private lawn, play games or unwind in the garden with views that capture the essence of Babylonstoren.
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Eat & drink
Babel
The Babel restaurant was envisioned as part of Babylonstoren from the outset, situated within the estate’s historic cow shed, where rustic Cape Dutch charm meets sleek contemporary glass. This unique setting perfectly complements Babel’s farm-to-fork philosophy, celebrating fresh, seasonal ingredients with a ‘pick, clean and serve’ ethos. The menu highlights daily harvests from the garden and surrounding farms, offering guests a vibrant spread of croissants, cheeses, charcuterie and garden-fresh produce. For a more substantial start, enjoy a hot farm breakfast with free-range eggs, bacon and grilled meats. Lunch and dinner feature standout dishes like the beetroot and pear salad with local cheese, and grilled Karoo lamb, flame-grilled to perfection. With breakfast, lunch and dinner available, bookings are essential and open well in advance.
Greenhouse
Extremely popular, and for good reason, the Greenhouse restaurant offers a refreshing pause located among oak trees at the rear of the garden. Pro tip: head here first to write your name on the blackboard waiting list to ensure you secure a table when hunger strikes after exploring the estate. The food is served picnic-style, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients from the garden. Enjoy light breakfasts, crisp salads and scrumptious sandwiches, along with heartier options like the farm’s signature roast beef sandwich, perfectly paired with garden greens. And don’t miss the freshly baked scones with seasonal preserves, best enjoyed with farm-grown honeybush tea. Open daily, tables are first-come, first-served and no reservations are required.
Old Bakery
The Old Bakery, which is open for dinner primarily, brings a true taste of la dolce vita with its vibrant, family-style dining. On Italian-inspired evenings – held every Monday, Tuesday and Friday – guests enjoy a four-course meal starting with antipasti, followed by homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza and a delicious dolce. Wednesdays and Sundays are for carnivore evenings, a South African braai (BBQ) feast featuring expertly grilled Chianina beef, aged in a Himalayan salt room for exceptional flavour. Guests dine at communal tables with live accordion (no, we’re not making this up) music adding to the atmosphere.
The Tasting Room
Throughout the years, Babylonstoren has made quite an impression with its wines – captivating our palates, as well as earning accolades from wine connoisseurs. Produced in a modern winery, these wines showcase the distinct characteristics of the Simonsberg terroir. The Tasting Room, positioned next to the Wine Cellar, offers expansive views of the Babylonstoren hill and surrounding mountains, enhancing the tasting experience. Our standout favourite is the Nebukadnesar 705, a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot. Tastings are a relaxed affair, with options ranging from an express tasting of three wines to a more comprehensive experience of seven wines. Guests can enjoy seated tastings on a first-come, first-served basis, making it a must-visit for anyone eager to explore Babylonstoren’s award-winning range.
The Spice Garden
For a special experience for groups of up to 24, Babylonstoren’s Spice Garden offers an intimate dining setting that honours the rich history of the ancient spice trade. Designed by Malherbe Rust Architects, this serene greenhouse space features aromatic plants like cinnamon, nutmeg, and turmeric, creating a sensory journey into the world of spices. The Spice Garden menu draws inspiration from these fragrant plants, offering dishes such as spiced summer gazpacho, garden leaf-baked line fish, and Chianina kebabs with aromatic chimichurri. Set around a stunning eight-metre granite table with water flowing down its length, this unique venue is perfect for celebrating with a feast inspired by the flavours of the garden.
Shop
Garden Shop
The Garden Shop offers an array of goods inspired by the estate’s rich heritage and garden. Set within a beautifully designed space, the shop features a curated selection of gardening tools, seeds and plants that reflect the estate’s botanical diversity. Homewares like table linens with garden motifs, jams, cordials, olive oils and seasonal items like Christmas wreaths made from vineyard shoots are all available. We especially love the books on offer, including Babylonstoren’s own publications, which make for a perfect souvenir of this magnificent place.
Scented Room
Opened in 2019, the Scented Room is a quiet corner filled with the delicate fragrances of waterblommetjies, clivias and fynbos. It’s a space where botanicals harvested from the farm are transformed into soaps, scrubs and essential oils by in-house compounder Gavin Hendriks and his team. One standout is the olive oil soap, crafted from 70% pure olive oil pressed on-site. Watching the distillation process up close gives a real sense of the care that goes into each product, and there’s something deeply satisfying about blending your own scrub in this beautifully aromatic setting.
Milk Room
Babylonstoren’s head cheesemaker, Alta Eybers, joined the farm in 2014 after honing her craft in Italy. She’s the creative force behind the Milk Room, where fresh cheeses are made daily using milk from Babylonstoren’s water buffalo and Jersey cows. Alta’s journey started with a small cheese-making setup, but today she produces up to 100 kg of mozzarella for the farm’s restaurants, along with favourites like the ‘hang op’ yoghurt cheese and water buffalo gelato. Visiting the Milk Room offers a firsthand look at her artisanal process, and it’s clear that each cheese is a product of passion, skill, and the farm’s finest ingredients.
Meat Room
Biltong, droëwors and boerewors – South African staples with deep roots – are crafted at Babylonstoren using traditional recipes brought by Dutch settlers in the 17th century. What started as a method to preserve meat has become a beloved delicacy. Alongside these local favourites, the butchery also follows Italian principles for curing meats and charcuterie. Their offerings include smoked bacon and premium cuts of aged Chianina beef, an ancient Italian breed known for its rich flavour. The maturation room, lined with Himalayan salt tiles and kept at 6°C, enhances the meat by drawing out moisture, intensifying the taste and honouring both heritage and quality.
Bakery
Babylonstoren’s Bakery, led by Nezel ‘Peachy’ Jacobs since 2018, has grown from a humble beginning to a bustling hub producing hundreds of artisanal loaves and pastries daily. Peachy started at Babylonstoren in 2016, initially preparing platters before her baking talent shifted her to the farm’s bakery in 2017. What began with just a few sourdough loaves each day has evolved into an impressive operation, baking up to 800 croissants daily during peak season. One of the unique offerings is the apple waste sourdough, made using fresh apple pulp from the farm’s juicery, showcasing Peachy’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in baking.
Lekker Room
The Lekker Room, opened in 2019, is housed in a historic 18th-century building that once served as the blacksmith, stables and wagon house. This space is dedicated to flavours and textures, offering treats like roasted macadamias, pecan nuts and almonds. The room lives up to its name – lekker, meaning tasty or delightful in Afrikaans – with an array of irresistible snacks such as vegan fudge, various chocolates and both sweet and savoury granola. Visitors can also enjoy a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee as they explore this thoughtfully curated corner of the estate.
Coffee Roastery
The Coffee Roastery is where the farm’s coffee magic happens. This charming spot features a barrel drum roaster that gently toasts Babylonstoren’s own house blend, creating rich, aromatic coffee right on site. The roastery is beautifully decorated with a collection of antique coffee grinders, giving it a nostalgic feel that complements the fresh, modern coffee experience. Guests can watch the roasting process up close or simply savour a cup brewed from single-origin beans.
See & do
The Garden
The garden at Babylonstoren is the heart of the estate, spread over 5 hectares (12 acres) of meticulously designed clusters. From the citrus orchards and vegetable patches to the prickly pear maze, every corner is brimming with life and purpose. Don’t miss the Healing Garden, where herbs grow for natural remedies, or the serene Lotus Pond, filled with edible lotus and water lilies. The clivia passage bursts into vibrant blooms each spring and the fragrant Chamomile Lawn invites you to lie down and relax. It’s a garden made to be experienced – pick, taste, and smell your way through this living tapestry that defines Babylonstoren.
Soetmelksvlei [new]
New in 2024, Soetmelksvlei is Babylonstoren’s ambitious step back in time – a living farmyard set like a small 19th-century village. It’s hands-on: watch master craftspeople at work, explore the old Farmhouse, try moerkoffie with fresh bread in the kitchen or join in farm chores like milking and butter churning. There’s also a playhouse, animals and hearty meals at the Old Stables Restaurant. Soetmelksvlei isn’t just a visit; it’s an interactive dive into old-world charm that shows Babylonstoren’s knack for blending heritage with innovation. Be sure to book in advance, as this place is a new visitor favourite.
Garden Spa
The Garden Spa opened in 2013 and is a serene and beautifully integrated part of the farm, reflecting its deep connection to the garden and changing seasons. Set within a bamboo forest with tranquil greenery and water channels, it offers an indoor-outdoor experience that includes a hammam, gym and a variety of treatment rooms. The spa expanded with the addition of the Hot Spa, which features an indoor pool, sauna, salt room and vitality pools, all under a glass-panelled roof that maintains an ambient setting. The spa’s unique setup and treatments, like deep-tissue bamboo massages and Turkish hammams, make it an exceptional retreat.
Wine Cellar
With about 94 hectares (232 acres) under vine, Babylonstoren produces 13 different grape varieties, including high-altitude pinot noir and chardonnay grown at 600 metres above sea level on the slopes of Simonsberg. Led by cellar master Charl Coetzee and winemaker Klaas Stoffberg, Babylonstoren bottled its first wine in 2011, marking the start of its journey under its own label. The cellar tour offers a deep dive into the winemaking process, starting in the vineyards and moving into the working cellar, where a variety of wine-producing vessels, from amphorae clay pots to concrete eggs, are used. The tour ends with a master tasting paired with farm-grown delicacies, showcasing Babylonstoren’s innovative approach that earned it the Best Innovative Wine Tourism Experience award in 2022. Book ahead!
The Story of Wine
Free of charge, and for those eager to discover why viticulture is such a significant part of South African culture, The Story of Wine is a well-made museum experience that opened in 2022. Located at the entrance to the Tasting Room, this engaging exhibition takes you through the origins of winemaking at the Cape, which began with many failed attempts before evolving into today’s celebrated industry. It’s a celebration of human ingenuity and the earth’s generosity, highlighting the cultural milestones that have shaped our winemaking and wine-drinking heritage. The museum vividly details the cultivation and traditions of wine, blending history with a contemporary narrative, and is open daily for self-guided tours.
Olive Oil Tour
For anyone keen to dive into the world of olive oil, from tree to tin, the Olive Oil Tour is a great option. Led by olive oil specialist Petrus van Eeden, the tour starts at the Tasting Room and heads to the production plant, where the cold-press process and olive preservation methods are explained in detail. The tour ends with an olive tasting, featuring oils, tapenades, and other farm products. One of the highlights for us was blending our own 100ml olive oil to bring home – conveniently in an airplane-friendly size, making it the perfect memento of this unique, flavourful experience.
Workshops
From pasta-making (we had a blast rolling out fresh pasta) and balsamic vinegar crafting to quilting and beekeeping, Babylonstoren’s workshops offer hands-on learning experiences led by experts. Each workshop kicks off with a garden walk, setting the stage for sessions like making butter and baking buttermilk rusks, creating natural soap, distilling witblits or growing your own seasonal vegetables. With workshops ranging from mastering South African boerewors to planting heritage orchards, there’s something for everyone. Hotel guests can join in at no extra cost, and lunch is always included – just be sure to book ahead, as these popular spots fill up fast!
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