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Activities

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What to see and do in and around Calitzdorp.

Explore Calitzdorp at leisure. Visit local art galleries, antique and curio shops, stop for a cup of steaming coffee, visit the local museum or take a drive through the scenic surrounding valleys. Pay a visit to the local wine cellars, where patrons will take you on a journey of the best of what is on offer from the fertile valley.

If you are in the mood for less activity, take the time to marvel at the serene beauty of the Swartberg Mountain, a splendid sunset or the starry Karoo night sky. Take a short walk to the river, passing through the lucerne and vineyard.

Let us assist you in planning a day of activities or be led by your inner explorer. Warm hospitality awaits you on your return.

Visit the wine cellars of the Port capital of South Africa
Due to the very dry soil of the area, and the alluvial soils that are used in farming, Calitzdorp has often been considered the Douro Valley of South Africa.

The original valley in Portugal is the home of Port, and Calitzdorp is home to many port-wine making wine farms. The ground here is particularly accommodating to plants that enjoy very dry weather, including the Port blend grapes Tinta Barocca and Touriga Naçional.

Axe Hill Winery

An award winning winery known for its Cape Vintage Port and other vinous creations! Situated in Calitzdorp in the heart of the Klein Karoo.

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Boplaas Family Vineyards

Our aim at Boplaas is to craft wines of unfaltering quality to best express the vintage, variety, vineyard and craftsmanship of the cellar and vineyard team.

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Calitzdorp Cellar

Situated along Route 62 in the Klein Karoo district of Calitzdorp, lies the vineyards of Calitzdorp Cellars. The natural beauty and breathtaking landscape varies from rugged red soils to valleys and shaded kloof areas.

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De Krans Wines

De Krans is widely known as one of the leading port-style wine producers, as well as one of the most innovative cellars in South Africa.

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Du'SwaRoo Wine & Olive Farm

Du’SwaRoo is the smallest wine farm on the Klein Karoo wine route. Boutique farm style wines are produced in limited quantities from grapes from our own vineyards. We also offer deli productsincluding Olive Oil, Olives, Harissa, and many more.

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Peter Bayly Wines

Peter and Yvonne Bayly headed into this secluded valley over a decade ago to fulfil their lifelong dream of crafting artisanal wines and “live free-range” in one of the most secluded areas of South Africa.

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Road Bike and MTB Routes
A haven for bike enthusiasts, Calitzdorp and its surrounding passes and poorts offer a multitude of routes to enjoy.

Calitzdorp is a part of the Cape Cycle Routes, and we are a stopover for the Cape Crossing as well as Karoo Crossing routes.

Visit the Museum
Understand the history of Calitzdorp
  • Contact the Tourism office for more information on 4×4 routes, birding, canoeing and fishing, horse trails and horse riding, mountain biking, walking / hiking trails, tractor tours.
  • Calitzdorp on foot – historical heritage – Take a turn down the oldest street, Queen Street, and soak up the Old World atmosphere .
Visit The Ring of Stones at Boplaas.

Built in honour of the ancient farmers, who used similar, stone circles to observe the summer and winter solstices. These dates were of critical importance to ancient man as it determined when they planted and harvested their crops.

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Calitzdorp is located at the heart of the Succulent Karoo Biodiversity Hotspot, home to the highest succulent plant diversity on earth.
Churches

– Renowned wall hangings in the Dutch Reformed Church Hall tell the story of Jesus and are a labour of love done by the ladies of Calitzdorp.
Collect the keys at the Tourism office or Die Dorpshuis.

– The Dutch Reformed Church, originally founded in 1856, was declared a national historical monument in 1991. The church has a neo-Byzantine style with a Marseilles roof. It is a good example of the sandstone architecture of the ostrich-feather-boom-era in the Klein Karoo. Anyone is welcome to attend the services on Sunday mornings at 09:30 – 10:30.

– The St. Marks church in Queens Street, the second smallest Anglican chapel in South Africa.

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Beat the hunger
Enjoy a meal in one of the local restaurants. From steak flambeé to pizzas, Waterblommetjiebredie to chicken.
Nearby attractions
  • Take a drive through the Groenfontein Valley, passing the Nels River dam (the oldest cement dam of its kind) financed by the farmers.
  • Go fishing or have a picnic at the Fish Eagle on your way to the Groenfontein Valley
  • Visit the old water mills at Kruisrivier Guest Farm.
  • Visit the Calitzdorp Spa and enjoy their Roman bath.
  • Visit Gamka Nature Reserve, see endangered mountain zebra and bushmen paintings
  • Visit Matjiesvlei, a hidden valley with its tranquil atmosphere
  • For all your fresh or dried fruit and homemade jams visit Elnatan on the road to Ladismith.
Explore one of our majestic mountain passes.
  • Seweweekspoort (24km from Calitzdorp)
  • Gamkaskloof (The Hell) (105km)
  • Outeniqua Pass (105km)
  • Swartberg Pass (45km)
  • Meiringspoort (95km)
  • Rooiberg Pass (12km