Prince Albert is a delightful South African village in the Karoo, which is part of the Western Cape. Although we live in an arid region we are blessed with water from the Swartberg Mountains and the village is a little oasis.
We enjoy a superb climate, with a high sunshine index and spectacular night skies. The village is a small gem, with beautifully preserved Cape Dutch, Karoo and Victorian buildings - 13 of which are National Monuments.
There is ample guest house, B&B and self-catering accommodation to suit all preferences and pockets. We also offer farm accommodation.
Prince Albert is known for its sun-ripened fresh and dried fruit, especially figs and apricots. In the Prince Albert Valley, to the south of the village, farmers have restored vineyards last farmed in the 19th century. Karoo lamb, olives, olive oil and cheese are local delicacies.
Here you can wander down to the dairy to buy your milk, cream and yoghurt, and visit our Saturday market for fruit and vegetables picked that morning, fresh baked bread, homemade jams and pickles.
Every April we hold our Prince Albert Olive Festival when the village entertains crowds of visitors to a street market, delicious food, music, an art exhibition, open homes and gardens, competitions, a half marathon, cycle race and lots more.
Just 2kms from the foot of the awesome Swartberg Pass, Prince Albert is the perfect base for exploring all the wonders of the Swartberg including Gamkaskloof - "the Hell" and Meiringspoort.
Activities for visitors include a guided historical walk through the town, a ramble along the "Gordon's koppie", a ghost walk in the evening, star tours, trips into the Swartberg Pass, a visit to the Prince Albert Gallery, where numerous South African artists display their work, local shops, the weavery, traditional Karoo meals, and a visit to the delightful Fransie Pienaar Museum where a local farmer distills "Witblits".
Hiking, mountain biking, scenic drives, birding and bird- watching are major attractions.
Prince Albert is well situated for overnight stops from Gauteng, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. The Garden Route resorts and beaches lie a two hour drive to the south. Oudtshoorn, the Cango Caves and the Karoo National Park are just an hour's drive away.
