Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Cape West Coast

Not the Philadelphia one attributes to the eastern parts of North America, just south of New Jersey, this Philadelphia lies but 20 minutes outside of Cape Town, past Durbanville.

Rural Philadelphia is just off the N7 towards Malmesbury. Conversely you can take a more scenic drive along the Koeberg / Adderley Road from Durbanville through farmland until you reach the gorgeous village.

Philadelphia began, as many little towns in South Africa do, as a farm. Local farmers travelled all the way, by horse and cart, to Durbanville for Nagmaal (the Eucharist) and, as a result, a local farmer donated a portion of his land to the local brethran to build a church. This is possibly why Philadelphia, meaning love of brothers, is named such.

The pretty, little historical town is a perfect weekend breakaway. Dominating the town is the large NG church, but just below this are a series of little streets with a couple of shops and the Pepper Tree Art Stable and Coffee Shop that serves as a natural hub for both locals and visitors to the town. A combination of art gallery, restaurant, coffee shop, pottery studio and gift shop, the Pepper Tree Art Stable is housed in the old stables and serves wonderful lunches, breakfasts and teas. The place really hums over weekends.

Expect to see pretty period homes, interspersed with a couple of low-key Cape cottages, people milling around town, and the more recent Die Malle Meul, a modern rendition of the Pepper Tree art space, also with its own pottery, and a popular wedding venue.

Travellers' Reviews

2 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.

Verified reviewgood

This is a very small village and utterly charming. There is a sort of a "Village Square" with shops and a restaurant where everything seems to happen. But it is small and there is not much to do once you've finished browsing the shops and eating ... If being in a village and enjoying country life is your thing, this is a great place! If you are looking for an action packed holiday its not the place.

Herman (Durban, KZN)

Verified reviewgood

Philadelphia really is one of Cape Town's best kept secrets. I had no idea it even existed until recently. Probably not a weekend spot, more of a day trip. It is a very small "dorp", but has such a charming "main" road, with one or two shops, but more importantly one or two great coffee shops. I spent a good 2 or 3 hours at one (which is very ecclectic) and bought a vase at the adjoining pottery shop, then visited the "crystal" shop across the road and bought all sorts of cute things for my house. Would love to go back.

Stef (Cape Town)