I can not imagine visiting South Africa and not exploring its small towns. In this guide, I’m sharing the top things to do in Robertson based on my own experience there. If you don’t already know, Robertson is a small town in Western Cape – just two hours from Cape Town by road. It sits in the heart of the Breede River Valley and is known for wine estates, scenic landscapes and its welcoming atmosphere. I travelled to Robertson solo for two nights and this is my review.
Accommodation in Robertson
There are various accommodation types available in Robertson from Wine Farm stays, hotels and cabins. I was invited to stayed at The Grand Hotel – located in the heart of the Breede Valley. This five-star hotel dates back over a century yet nothing feels dated. Instead it feels warm, welcoming and unpretentious. Honestly, as soon as I saw my room, I wanted to move in forever!
Whether I was enjoying a quiet moment in my room or a swim at the pool, it felt like I was in a place designed for rest and ease.
I love that it has a restaurant on site. It’s especially perfect when you’re travelling solo and don’t feel like planning every single meal or driving out at night alone. There’s something comforting about knowing you can have a good meal just a few steps from your room.
The menu offers a really thoughtfully range of options from lighter starters to comforting mains. There are dishes like venison carpaccio, homemade tortellini and Cape Malay inspired soup for starters. For mains, they offered meals such as wild mushroom risotto, pan-fried line fish. Karoo lamb and ostrich burger. I ordered a steak followed by cheesecake for dessert and both were delicious!
Breede River Cruise
I quickly learnt that the Breede River plays a big role in Robertson’s landscape. It’s also a hub for some of the area’s most enjoyable outdoor experiences. One of the most popular things to do in Robertson is a Breede River cruise with wine tasting – how lovely?!
You can enjoy this experience at Viljoensdrift. The cruise typically lasts about one hour. Remember to make a booking in advance especially during peak season.
Explore Robertson's Wine Farms
Wine tasting and wine pairing experiences are definitely on every things to do in Robertson list. This is because Robertson sits at the heart of the Robertson Wine Valley which is a region with a long winemaking history. Wine farming in Robertson dates back to the late 1800s.
Van Loveren Family Vineyards is one of Robertson’s classic wine estates with a long history of quality wines and pairings. Another to consider is Rietvlei Wine Estate which is one of the oldest in the valley known for its family-run approach.
I had planned to do my tastings on Saturday and learnt too late that many wine estates are closed on Saturdays. So make sure to plan your travel dates with this in mind.
Fortunately, Four Cousins was open and very close to my hotel.I was really impressed by the number of pairing options offered at Four Cousins. I chose the wine and cheese pairing which came with two reds and 3 white wines.It’s a great introduction to the region’s wines and casual enough to enjoy on your own. The staff were so friendly and really happy to see me creating content to get word out about Robertson. There is a also a large award-winning restuarant on the property which would be ideal for lunch in Robertson.
Visiting Springfield Estate was one of the most memorable stops. The wine tasting cost R100 for any five wines. Tastings take place in a beautifully relaxed outdoor setting overlooking a dam.
I sat back and took in the views. The estate is incredibly aesthetic from the stunning entrance way through the vineyards. They also have friendly dogs wandering around who add to the charm and warmth of the property. If you’re visiting during the week, join their cellar tour for free to see how the wines are actually made.
Overall I found that wine tasting in Robertson is relaxed and personal with time to ask questions and enjoy your surroundings.
Hiking in Robertson
I love to include a nature walk during my travels. When looking for a place to go walking in Robertson, I was recommended to head just outside town to Dassieshoek Nature Reserve.
The reserve forms part of the Langerberg mountain range and offers hiking trails and walking routes.
You can go at your own pace and walk through fynbos, river crossings and some rugged mountain scenery.
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If Robertson has been on your radar, this is your sign to start planning. Make sure you go and watch my Robertson Instagram reel for a visual feel of my Robertson experience.
And checkout this blog post for scenic day trips from Cape Town.