Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    Prince Albert

    South Africa

    Prince Albert

    Village

    Prince Albert is a small town in the Great Karoo at the northern foot of the Swartberg Mountains, about five hours' drive northeast of Cape Town.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. South Africa
    7. Karoo
    9. Prince Albert
    Prince Albert is a small town in the Great Karoo at the northern foot of the Swartberg Mountains, about five hours' drive northeast of Cape Town. Whitewashed Cape Dutch and Victorian houses, olive and fig groves, and the spectacular Swartberg Pass make it one of the most popular Karoo villages.

    Sehenswürdigkeiten

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1Swartberg Pass (Dansbaan)

    The gravel road over the Swartberge winds its way up in tight bends and between natural stone walls; at around 1,600 metres, you overlook the Great and Little Karoo. The Dansbaan is a section on the north side where, according to legend, the construction workers celebrated. For the route, you should allow a good hour without stops.
    Open in Google Maps

    2Fransie Pienaar Museum

    Local Museum on Church Street on Prince Albert's history, with furniture, household items, and Karoo fossils. Small, but a good introduction.
    Open in Google Maps

    3Wolwekraal Nature Reserve

    Small nature reserve on the edge of town with paths through the typical Karoo vegetation. Ideal for a morning or evening walk.
    Open in Google Maps

    Essen & Trinken

    Karoo Charcoal, Prince Albert

    Restaurant in 13 Magrieta Prinsloo Rd.
    Show on Google Maps

    Prince Albert Cafe

    Bakery in 88A Church St.
    Show on Google Maps

    Yellow House Prince Albert

    Restaurant in 519 Christina de Wit St.
    Show on Google Maps

    Karoo Kombuis

    Restaurant in Deurdrift St.
    Show on Google Maps

    History

    Prince Albert developed from a farm named Kweekvallei; in 1845, the town was named after Queen Victoria's consort. Water from the Swartberg Mountains enabled agriculture in the semi-desert, and to this day, it flows through open channels within the town. The late 19th century saw a brief gold rush. The Swartberg Pass, completed by Thomas Bain in 1888, is now a national monument.

    Traveling

    You can reach Prince Albert by rental car, either via the N1 and Prince Albert Road or from Oudtshoorn via the Swartberg Pass or the paved Meiringspoort. In town, you walk.

    Accommodations in Prince Albert

    Find perfect stay in Prince Albert

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Nearby

    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.
    George

    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.
    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.
    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.
    Beaufort West

    Beaufort West

    Beaufort West is the largest town in the central Karoo and a classic stopover on the N1, roughly halfway between Cape Town and Johannesburg. Right on the outskirts lies the Karoo National Park, featuring table mountains, mountain zebras, and a fossil trail.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash. 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