Calitzdorp is well known for its picturesque beauty, superb Klein Karoo wines and vibrant restaurants. Our beautiful town is a definite must-visit destination on any trip on the R62 in the Western Cape.
Hours:
Monday – Sunday
10:00 – 16:00
Kitchen closes at 15:30 for last orders
Open all Public Holidays (excluding Christmas and Good Friday)
The bistro offers a wide selection of breakfast and lunch options and is perfect for the whole family. The outside play area is guaranteed to keep the young ones entertained. A visit to the deli is the perfect excuse to stock up on local products which include homemade jams, atchar, olives, olive oils, rusks and port reductions.
The Tasting Room is conveniently situated next to the bistro, allowing ample time to sample some of De Krans’ superb range of wines and ports.
A Farm Stall alongside an old olive grove, recently interplanted with some Souzao vines!
Bakhuis is blessed with fantastic views of the Swartberg mountains and our deck is a shady vine-covered area. A rustic, Klein Karoo eatery with a difference, serving Truth coffee.
Country cooking & baking in a wood-fired oven & open fire grill. Menu changes seasonally using local ingredients! Menu includes grills, pizza, delectable cakes, fruit smoothies and amazing coffee! Local wines are also available. Located on the corner of Wesoewer and Voortrekker St (R62).
Tel: 064 961 7574
Hours : Monday to Sunday 10:00-15:00
Italian restaurant serving up traditional Italian fare.
Hours:
Monday – Wednesday
08h00 – 20h00
Thursday & Sunday: 08h00 – 16h00
Situated on the R62, 20km from Calitzdorp towards Oudtshoorn.
Our specialities:
Value-added services:
Unique Features:
Contact: Irene 087 808 0885 or 079 620 1441
Hours: Every Saturday
08:30 – 14:00
Artisanal sourdough bread bakery and café where you can enjoy a variety of delicious bread’s, platter’s, cake’s, coffee’s and health drinks on our spacious stoep with its gorgeous views of the Swartberg Mountains and surrounding Calitzdorp vineyards.
Address: 53 Wesoewer Road, Calitzdorp
Tel: 079 868 7478
(Mo Lewis)
Instagram: @theaccidentalbaker_co
Facebook: theaccidentalbakerco
Situated in Voortrekker St (R62) and provides indoor and outdoor pots, plants and creative home décor. Also visit our Art Gallery and Koffiehuis for great coffee and exceptional cakes. Breakfasts and light meals also provided.
Hours:
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tel: 072 963 5673
Situated on the outskirts of the centre of town, with tastings by appointment.
(2.3km).
GPS cordinates – 30º30’53.94″ S 21º41’22.35″
Contact details:
Tel: +27 (0)114474366
Mobile: +27(0)836763000
Email : info@axehill.co.za
Web: www.axehill.co.za
Situated just off the historic Queens Street in town (0.8km from center of town) 33º32’07.85″ S 21º41’02.82
Contact Details : +27 (0)44 213 3326
Email: boplaas@mweb.co.za
Web : www.boplaas.co.za
Tasting Room Calitzdorp
Monday – Friday: 08:00 – 17:00 :
Saturday: 09:00 – 15:00 :
Public Holidays: 09:00 – 17:00 :
Sunday: 10:00 – 14:00
Situated in Andries Pretorius Street overlooking the Calitzdorp Railway Station, this co-operative cellar was founded in 1928 and is best known for its sweet dessert wines and stunning outlook over the Gamka Valley.
Tel. +27 (0) 44 213 3301 info@calitzdorpwine.co.za
www.calitzdorpwine.co.za
Tasting Room Hours
Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 09:00 – 14:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 15:00
Public Holidays: 09:00 – 17:00
Closed Christmas Day & Good Friday
Situated in Station Road (next to the station) just off the historic Queens street in town (1.3km from center of town) 33º32’24.80″ S 21º41’02.04
Contact: +27 44 2133 314
Email :dekrans@mweb.co.za Web : www.dekrans.co.za
Tasting Room Hours
Mon – Fri: 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 09:00 – 17:00
Public Holidays : 09:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00
Closed Christmas day and Good Friday
Own Restaurant (Deli and Bistro)
Situated on the Groenfontein Road on the slopes of Besemkop (1,8km from center of town). 33º30’57.79″ S 21º41’41.39
Contact: +27 44 2133137 / +27 82 826 2419
E-mail: sales@duswaroo.co.za
Web: http://duswaroo.co.za
Tasting Room Hours
Mon to Sat: 09:00 to 16:00
Sunday Closed
Situated on the stunning Groenfontein Road at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains (14.5km from center of town) 33º27’16.78″ S 21º45’35.04
Contact: +27 (44) 213 3702 or +27 (0) 83 457 5037 :
Email :info@baylys.co.za
Web : www.peterbayly.co.za
Tasting Room
Generally open from Monday to Sunday, but it is best to phone for confirmation
Other businesses that are members of Calitzdorp Tourism
Barry & Mouton Attorneys & Estate Agent Marina Murris 044 213 3300
Calitzdorp Succulent Society Succulent Club Buck Hemenway 076 298 7337
Chas Everitt International property group Jane Garcia 083 254 5107
EchoVine Communications S.Media, Advertising, Web, Digital Campaigns Esme Brink 0676462364
Elnatan Manufacturing of Solar Cookers Klaus Triebe 044 213 3859
Free Energy Living Alternatiewe Energie Konsultasie Deon Kriek 082 466 0486
MiClay Art Studio & SC unit Michelle Adshade 084 256 4029
SMME’s Wire artist Hendrik Tiemie 063 368 0289
Tour guide Charlton Ewerts 073 500 8182
Theron Le Roux (George) Accountant / Tax Practitioner JGM & Hanta Theron 044 871 5067
Webworx (Oudtshoorn) Website consulting, WordPress, domain reg. graphic design 067 415 1144/067 415 114
There are many scenic routes to travel around Calitzdorp, below are just a few of them.
This is a 52km drive on dirt roads (the roads are maintained – so a standard vehicle is adequate).
On leaving Calitzdorp, the drive will take you past the Calitzdorp dam, Kraaldoorn Gallery, Marcia’s Studio, Watersong Cottage, Peter Bayley Winery, Groenfontein Guest Farm, Groenfontein Accommodation, The Retreat and on to Kruisrivier where Roger Young has a gallery and coffee shop.
From Kruisrivier, you can either head off toward Oudtshoorn and the start of the Swartberg Pass, or back toward Calitzdorp.
This a scenic route with spectacular scenery, if just looking and driving with no stops, this should take around 90min until back on the R62.
From here its 20minutes back to Calitzdorp and 20 minutes to Oudtshoorn.
Situated between Calitzdorp and Zoar/Ladismith. From Calitzdorp to Ladismith it is but a 50km scenic drive, taking around 30- 40minutes (one way). On route pass Zoar and Amalienstein. Breathtaking and well worth the drive. More Information on the Pass
Situated between Calitzdorp and van Wyksdorp. From Calitzdorp to van Wyksdorp is a around a 50km drive, but taking around 70-90 minutes one way. En-route marvel at the flora and fauna, as you pass through this bio-diversity hotspot. This a more rugged route, with gravel roads as you start your climb. Worth the drive, and stop in van Wyksdorp. (Please note there is no fuel in van Wyksdorp, so fill up before you go). Click here for more information on the pass. More information on the pass
Situated 20km from Ladismith, this is a 17km stretch of gravel road running through the Swartberg Mountains, linking the Little and the Great Karoo, with easy gradients, river crossings and incredible geology. It falls entirely under the control of Cape Nature Conservation and more specifically the Swartberg Nature Reserve and is also a certified Unesco World Heritage Site. Time required with a turn around and return to Calitzdorp is around is around 3.5 Hours. More information on the pass
Another glorius gravel and relatively rugged pass, dating back to 1862. The road is named after the many fossilised ticks found in the rocks when the road was built. The main road between Laingsburg and Prince Albert up till the late 1960’s when the Gamkakloof Dam was constructed in its path. making this road a dead end (so you have to turn around and return). Reached from Calitzdorp via Ladismith and Seweweekspoort, the route will take some time (plan around 5 hours there and back to Calitzdorp). More information on the pass
The Swartberg Pass is regarded by many as the icon of gravel road passes. Once again a link between the Little and Great Karoo (Prince Albert), and the gateway to Gamkaskloof, this “Thomas Baine” pass is a must see and do, with dramatically changing scenery and rock formation. You don’t have to go all the way to Prince Albert, and can still get the magnificance of the pass by turning around at the summit.
Your time frame may vary, but allow 60 minutes from Calitzdorp, along the Groenfontein Road to the foot of the pass, and then around 40 minutes to the summit. Your descent into Prince Albert is another 40 minutes, so all in all with a return trip to Calitzdorp you are looking at around 2H30 Minutes driving time. More information on the pass
From Calitzdorp, take the day out and enjoy the mild waters of the Indian Ocean in Mosselbay. A stunning modern tarred pass with gorgeous views of the Outeniqua mountains. Travel via Volmoed and join in with the Oudshoorn – Mossel;bay road (R328). Time from Calitzdorp to Mosselbay is 1H30 minutes. More information on the pass.
Calitzdorp is surrounded by many district gravel roads that are fantastic for cycling on due to less traffic. One can cycle short easy routes or long easy routes or hit the mountains for some good hard riding. Unfortunately there are no routes onto private land where one can find single track. Below is a link to a brochure of the routes in more detail.
The closest hiking trails can be found at the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve.
Calitzdorp has a rich history dating back to 1821 of which you can learn more in our Museum, which boasts amazing artefacts.
There are many artists who have settled in our area and their art can be viewed in the various galleries.
The Calitzdorp Museum occupies what was once the Standard Bank building. This museum, situated in Van Riebeeck Street, is about showcasing the cultural history of the region and its immediate surrounds. It explores the life, implements, people and natural treasures of Calitzdorp and the Klein Karoo, extending back generations. The exhibit is varied and comprehensive, and ranges from old photographs to local artefacts. The Calitzdorp Museum is run by volunteers who share a love for the local heritage and natural abundance, and want others to enjoy this passion.
Calitzdorp is full of historical buildings. Do yourself a favour, and walk through the village to appreciate some of these gems. These buildings are not however restricted to the village, and many others can be seen on the outskirts of town (e.g Groenfontein, Kruisrivier, Wesoewer Rd, and St Helena). Herewith a down-loadable brochure to guide you through the village on one of 2 walks. These are relatively short, depending on much time you spend at each building. If you require any additional information, you can contact the Museum, or the Tourism Office. Enjoy!
