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    George

    South Africa

    George

    CityCulture

    George is the largest city on the Garden Route and, with its airport, the starting point for many. The city lies at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, just a few minutes from Wilderness and the sea.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. South Africa
    7. Garden Route
    9. George
    George is the largest city on the Garden Route and, with its airport, the starting point for many. The city lies at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, just a few minutes from Wilderness and the sea.

    Sights in George

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Garden Route Birds of Prey Rehab Centre

    1Garden Route Birds of Prey Rehab Centre

    The center rehabilitates injured birds of prey and owls, releasing them back into the wild whenever possible. Get up close to eagles, falcons and owls and learn why they are in distress. Check visiting hours in advance.
    Open in Google Maps
    Outeniqua Transport Museum

    2Outeniqua Transport Museum

    The museum displays steam locomotives, historic wagons, and old road vehicles. Good for tech fans and when it rains.
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    City walks in George

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Historic City Walk Through George: Discovering the Heart of the Garden Route

    Experience historic George on this charming 2-hour walk. From colonial buildings to impressive churches, immerse yourself in the rich history and unique flair of this town on the Garden Route.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (6)

    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Bayleaf Café

    Café in George with breakfast, light lunch dishes and coffee.
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    2

    Shan Sushi

    Sushi restaurant in the center of George.
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    3

    Caloroso Roaster & Eatery

    Coffee roastery with café, serving breakfast and lunch.
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    4

    Meade Café

    Cafe in George offering breakfast, cakes, and light lunches.
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    5

    Kafe Serefe

    Turkish restaurant with Meze, Kebab and Pide.
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    Culture & History

    In 1811, George was declared a district and named after British King George III. Timber from local forests played a key role early on. St Mark's Cathedral was consecrated in 1850. An old oak from the founding era stands on York Street, linked to the legend of the Slave Tree.

    On the Go

    George Airport is a few kilometers southwest of the city. The GO GEORGE bus system runs in the city, plus Uber and Bolt. For trips to the coast and the Kleine Karoo, a rental car is needed.

    Accommodations in George

    Find perfect stay in George

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    Plan your trip to George

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    1. 1
      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      12 days · 4 stops

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    2. 2

      Trip to George

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      • 1Garden Route Birds of Prey Rehab Centre3 days
      • 2Outeniqua Transport Museum4 days
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    3. 3
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    Nearby

    Wilderness

    Wilderness

    Wilderness is between George and Sedgefield on a long sandy beach. Beyond it, lagoons, lakes, and forests of the Garden Route National Park begin, ideal for paddling, hiking, and paragliding.
    Sedgefield

    Sedgefield

    Sedgefield is a quiet holiday resort nestled between Wilderness and Knysna. As Africa's first Cittaslow town, it embraces a slow pace: the lagoon, long beaches, and the Saturday farmers' market define the place.
    Mossel Bay

    Mossel Bay

    Mossel Bay is the western starting point of the Garden Route. Bartolomeu Dias landed here in 1488, and from Cape St Blaize, you'll see whales off the coast in winter.
    Oudtshoorn

    Oudtshoorn

    Oudtshoorn is the largest town in the Little Karoo and the heart of ostrich farming. From here, you can reach the Cango Caves and the Swartberg Pass.
    Garden Route

    Garden Route

    The Garden Route is the coastal stretch between Mossel Bay and the Storms River, a good 200 kilometers along the N2 and about four to five hours' drive east of Cape Town. Lagoons, ancient forests, long sandy beaches, and small seaside resorts like Wilderness, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay make it the country's most popular self-drive route.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Pexels. Each photo carries its credit.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI