Malmesbury (South Africa)

Malmesbury is a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, 65 km north of Cape Town. It has a population of about 36,000 people (2011).

Understand

Malmesbury Museum

The town is the largest in the Swartland. The area is especially known for its grain and wine cultivation as well as sheep and poultry farming.

Visitor information

• Malmesbury Tourism

Get in

By train

• Malmesbury is served by one train per day (M-Sa) from Cape Town.

See

• 1 Malmesbury Museum, 1 Prospect St. M-Sa 09:00 - 13:00. The building was built as a synagogue in 1911, and was transferred to the municapility in 1974. (updated Feb 2023)
• 2 Dutch Reformed Church. A neo-Gothic church building which opened on 1860, with a 1880 tower. (updated Feb 2023)

Do

• Go hiking and mountain climbing. Many visitors enjoy the sight of the famous Table Mountain.
• Visit old sites, such as the Ant Sienie se Huisie, to learn more about the history of the town.
• 1 Mother City SkyDiving, Diepkloof Airfield (just off the N7 Highway), ☏ +27 79 337 2443. It operates from a private airfield 14 km to the north of Malmesbury. It provides a service for experienced sport skydivers, and offers tandem skydiving for beginners (R3150 per person). Transportation available from Cape Town (R460-700 per person.) (updated Feb 2023)

Eat

Like much of South Africa, the Swartland region has multiple cultural influences, and this is reflected by its cuisine. Here, you can enjoy a nice hot cup of tea at one of the numerous cafés, treat yourself to a lunch of biltong or any number of colonially-influenced dishes, and round off the day in an Indian restaurant.

Drink

• 1 Swartland Winery (3km east of Malmesbury). M–Th 09:00–17:00 F 09:00–16:00 Sa 09:00–14:00. Winery established in 1948 with tasting room. (updated Feb 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Fynbose Estate. Six farm style self-catering lodges. (updated Feb 2023)
• 2 Table Mountain Guesthouse, 19 Percheron St, ☏ +27 22 482 2599. Check-in: before 22:00. 12 room guest house. All rooms are ensuite, with fridges and most have air-conditioning. from R680. (updated Feb 2023)