With so many things on offer, Eastern Cape is a great choice for a nice vacation with your partner. If you love wildlife and adore elephants, you can start by checking out the gentle giants at Addo Elephant National Park. If you wish to spend serene moments with your darling among beautiful wildflowers, Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve is the place to be. When you wish to simply unwind together or go on a long walk holding hands, you can head to Sardinia Bay Beach or Kelly’s Beach.
To ensure a hassle-free experience, you can book an accommodation well in advance. However, if you’re unsure of where to begin your romantic journey into the province, scroll down for the top romantic getaways in Eastern Cape, South Africa, for great tips.
Tip from Content Creator
Let me tell you more about the Eastern Cape before you visit for a romantic time with your partner! It stretches from Cape St Francis in the West to The Wild Coast in the East. The Eastern Cape also boasts pristine beaches, secluded lagoons, coastal rainforests, rocky cliffs and private game reserves in abundance! The Eastern Cape is also FULL of adventure. From bungee jumping, to zip lining, hiking and kayaking - it's perfect for adrenaline junkies! If you want to spend time at the beach, note that the sea is also a LOT warmer the further East you get (if you’ve been to Cape Town, you’ll know what I mean). Also, the best way to explore The Eastern Cape would be to drive along The Garden Route, a vast region packed with history, oceans, beaches, forests and wildlife.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to couple-friendly amenities and activities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on January 31, 2026.
1. Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth
In addition to superb beaches, Gqeberha is home to intriguing museums such as the South African Air Force Museum. If you are into nature, you can try spotting cheetahs together at Kragga Kamma Game Park. Besides, you can expect an overall great time as Port Elizabeth is termed as “Friendly City” due to its welcoming locals.
Consider our accommodation picks for your stay in Gqeberha.
Paxton Hotel
Address: Carnarvon Place, Humerail
195.92 km (121.8 mi) from Madonna & Child Waterfalls
Nova Boutique Hotel, spa and conference venue
Address: 62 Albert Road, Walmer
198.18 km (123.2 mi) from Madonna & Child Waterfalls
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
195.45 km (121.5 mi) from Madonna & Child WaterfallsSuperhost
Accommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
hosts were the bestvery friendly service toothe host is the best make sure you alrighthosts were helpful and friendlyeloise and gustav were lovely hosts and really went the extra mile to make us feel welcomeLocation:
the neighborhood is very peaceful restuarants and shopping centres are within a walking distancethis place was definitely worth more than what we paid forit's a serene space within walking distance to the beach and shopswould always come back to this place and recommend itwe only stayed two nights at eloise and gustav’s place but we thoroughly enjoyed itCleanliness:
the cottage was clean and well equippedthe accommodation is spotless modern comfortable tastefully furnished and perfectly situatedthis spacious modern clean and light apartment-like space ticks all the right boxesRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
especially the small patio ist really nice to enjoy breakfast outsidethe cottage is beautifully decorated and is extremely comfortablei recommend it to anyone who is seeking privacy in a comfortable spaceone of the best stocked kitchens i have ever stayed in on airbnbgreat value for money superb decor and excellent kitchen space with everything you need for full self catering
2. East London
Delicious breakfast with a need for improvement in dinner options; exceptional service and friendly staff
Reasonable pricing for spacious rooms and good breakfast options
Exceptional location by the ocean, but some areas around the hotel are not as pleasant
Beautiful pool, ocean view, and smart TVs; lacking in-room irons and ironing boards
East London is an excellent choice for couples who love everything related to beaches and the water. If you like to be active, you can swim across the waves side by side at Gonubie Main Beach. If you don’t want to get into the water, you can witness beautiful aquatic creatures together at the East London Aquarium. In case you are more of the laidback type, you can simply de-stress together on Bonza Bay Beach.
East London has great options for stays. Check out our recommendations below.
Premier Hotel East London ICC
Address: 22/3 Esplanade, Beach Front
100.56 km (62.5 mi) from Madonna & Child Waterfalls
Hotel Osner
Address: Court Crescent, Esplanade
100.32 km (62.4 mi) from Madonna & Child Waterfalls
East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
98.85 km (61.5 mi) from Madonna & Child WaterfallsAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
the owner was a good hostlindee was a great hostshe really a super hostkind host everything was amazingthe host was very responsive and ready to assistLocation:
tranquility beautiful place situated perfectlyloved staying here great location and stunning modern touchesgreat location and beautiful views perfect for a couple gate awaybest place to stay atCleanliness:
the place also smelled very clean and freshthe rooms were clean and very comfortablethe place is is lovely clean and calmthe place is beautiful and very cleana very neat clean beautiful and safe place to relaxRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
it is a great garden apartment with a good view of the citya beautiful garden - perfect for catching the morning sun over breakfast or having sundowners in the evenings
3. Queenstown
In case you two are the happiest when outdoors, you can head to Queenstown. While here, you can go hiking and explore trails in Lawrence de Lange Nature Reserve. If you are more into water sports, Bongola Dam is the place for you. On a lazy afternoon, you can simply relish a slow romantic walk in one of the large flower gardens that the city is known for.
If you are looking for a place with great staff and service, check out the options listed below.
Luxe-Molen Boutique Hotel
Address: 27 Grey street
79.36 km (49.4 mi) from Madonna & Child Waterfalls
The Gallery
Address: 7 Wainwright Street 1
79.06 km (49.2 mi) from Madonna & Child Waterfalls
Windsor, Gauteng, South Africa
80.77 km (50.2 mi) from Madonna & Child WaterfallsAccommodates: 2
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Graaff-Reinet
Surrounded by mountains and full of heritage, Graaff-Reinet offers a charming holiday. If you love history, you can spend days here checking out the numerous buildings that enjoy national-monument status. You should also check out Graaff-Reinet Museum. In the evening, you can take your partner to watch a show at John Rupert Theatre before heading back to your hotel.
Opt for one of these accommodations when in Graaff-Reinet.
Profcon Resort
Address: 88 Somerset Street 82 - 94 Somerset Street
231.63 km (144.0 mi) from Madonna & Child Waterfalls
Drostdy Hotel by NEWMARK
Address: 30 Church St
231.14 km (143.7 mi) from Madonna & Child Waterfalls
Camdeboo Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
231.47 km (143.9 mi) from Madonna & Child WaterfallsAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
hosts were very friendlyhost was so helpful and friendlyamazing hosts we are super friendly and very quick responsesresponses were quick and helpful and our hosts were accommodating of our needsvery hospitable and helpful hostLocation:
so cute and cosy and very central you can walk into townshort walk to the town with several restaurants with easy walking distancevery safe area and very centralall you need for a comfortable stay within walking distance of many of the cute restaurants in townreally lovely garden house in a good locationCleanliness:
very clean and well equipped big spaceclean neat comfortable and very homelyit was spacious clean and extremely comfortablegreat service and very clean and neatthe accommodation itself was very clean and spacious with a great kitchen/lounge areaRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
wifi works good tooconsidering all the amenities it offers including good wifi it is also excellent valuethe fireplace and wifi are appreciated touches for travellersthe wifi was excellent and it was a bonus having access to a washing machinevery comfortable hideaway well equipped kitchenette
5. Jeffreys Bay
If you and your partner are surfing enthusiasts, Jeffreys Bay is the perfect destination for you. You can take your boards and head into the waters at Paradise Beach. For an experience right out of a Hollywood movie, you can get in touch with Papiesfontein Beach Horse Rides and plan a ride during sunset.
For stays, book one of these options handpicked by us.
Funky Town
Address: 12a Oosterland Street
248.68 km (154.6 mi) from Madonna & Child Waterfalls
The Mandyville
Address: 30 Uys Street
247.9 km (154.1 mi) from Madonna & Child Waterfalls
Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa
248.5 km (154.5 mi) from Madonna & Child WaterfallsAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
the hosts are also very kind :)the owners were very friendly and full of great advicethe nicest hosts i have stayed withjessica is a very friendly hostjessica was a very good host and i can really recommend her flatLocation:
especially the location is greatcute little cottage in a great locationgreat location if you want to be walking distance from beach and activitiescute private guest house close to the beachsafe and secure location and parkingCleanliness:
everything was clean with thoughtful detailsnice and clean plenty of spacethe flat was clean and comfortablethe place was clean and had everything you neededeasy to communicate with jessica and all very cleanRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the apartment contains all the amenities needed for a beach holidaynice little amenities that made our stay comfortablevery comfortable space clean and with all necessary amenities includedthe tv above the bed with full dstv was also very nicethe bed was super comfortable
6. Stutterheim
If you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, Stutterheim is perfect for you. You can enjoy your much-needed getaway here without any disturbance. Go on a peaceful hike along The Kologha Forest Trails. If you have always wanted to have exotic flowers in your garden, you can pick up a few beauties from Shire Wild Bulb Nursery.
Discover Stutterheim from one of these properties.
The Manderson Hotel and Conference Centre
Address: Elizabeth Drive
39.58 km (24.6 mi) from Madonna & Child Waterfalls
Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, South Africa
40.33 km (25.1 mi) from Madonna & Child WaterfallsAccommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Host:
very friendly and welcoming hostsdefinitely great value for money the hosts are very friendly and always willing to helpRead more reviewsLocation:
great location and accommodation we enjoyed every minute of our staybe sure to check out the horse riding close to the accommodationgreat little spot in an amazing location we had such a special time thank youcraftsmanship beyond anything wonderful location - so peaceful - lovely friendly people - andi would recommend the place for anyone wanting to get away for a while
Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, South Africa
40.79 km (25.4 mi) from Madonna & Child WaterfallsAccommodates: 6
Top guest reviews
Host:
arrived from joburg later than acceptable but the host kindly waited for methe hosts were warm and efficienthost was super accommodating with our arrival timeLocation:
woke up and was blown away by the beauty of the placebeautiful location where one can completely unwind and lovely hoststhis place is really worth the visit my whole family loved our stayRead more reviewsCleanliness:
the accommodation was clean and comfortable
7. Stormsrivier
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
A cute little settlement surrounded by the Tsitsikamma Mountains, Stormsrivier offers a peaceful stay with plenty of adventurous options. To get your adrenaline pumping, you can contact Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours to zipline over the treetops in the forest. If you prefer to avoid heights though, you can go off-roading with the Woodcutters’ Journey experience.
All of the accommodations below make for a great base to explore Stormsrivier.
Tsitsikamma Lodge & Spa
Address: N2 Storms River District
313.56 km (194.9 mi) from Madonna & Child Waterfalls
Stormsrivier, Eastern Cape, South Africa
324.03 km (201.4 mi) from Madonna & Child WaterfallsAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
kathy was a great hostkathy host are lovely it was pleasurethe hosts were kind and responsive :) i would definitely recommend this lodge to othersher and her family were all so welcoming and friendly and we really felt at home therekathy is a perfect host providing you with a lot of recommendations we enjoyed to followLocation:
perfect location for a hiking day in tsitsikammaeasy checkin great room good location alot of privacyeasy to walk to bars cafe and restaurants and on the doorstep for the national parklovely space great location super peaceful and relaxinga wonderful place to stayCleanliness:
a wonderful apartment clean spacious and very well equipedthe place was equipped with all the essentials was very clean and comfortablethe apartment itself is cozy clean and equipped with everything you needthe bathroom seems very new and was very cleansuch a stylish and clean loft in a safe and easily accessible neighborhoodRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
lovely loft apartment with a great terrace and viewwe spend two nights at kathy’s place and really enjoyed our time at her apartmentlovely comfortable bed amazing new bathroom and everything you could need for a short stay
Stormsrivier, Eastern Cape, South Africa
324.36 km (201.6 mi) from Madonna & Child WaterfallsAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
very helpful and friendly hostmartitia and her husband are great kind hosts and we loved our stay heremartitia hosts a nice and cosy place in a lovely villagemartitia is such a lovely friendly host and her place is so peaceful and privatemartitia was a great host an we had an amazing stay in her garden chaletLocation:
martitia place is wonderfully located on the family’s property within their beautiful gardenthe place is what it sets up to be - as promisedRead more reviewsCleanliness:
accommodation was clean and comfortablethe chalet was very clean and well stocked and was private from the main houseplace was super clean when we arrived and they even provided the firewood for the braai
8. Mthatha / Umtata
Everyone inspired by the life of the great Nelson Mandela will love checking out the exhibits at Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha. If both of you are supporters of ecotourism, Nduli Nature Reserve is the place to be. If you want to try your luck, you can plan a fun evening at Mayfair Casino and hit the slots together.
If you wish to avail yourself of modern comforts and amenities, book any one of these accommodations listed below.
Hotel Savoy and Conference Centre
Address: 912 Nelson Mandela Dr
203.44 km (126.5 mi) from Madonna & Child Waterfalls
Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
203.3 km (126.4 mi) from Madonna & Child WaterfallsAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
everything you will ever need is in that apartment i love how thoughtful and intentional the host isRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
all mod cons that will make your stay comfortable
Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
203.83 km (126.7 mi) from Madonna & Child WaterfallsAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
they were kind and ensured our safetyhad absolutely great stay special thanks to sandra she was very friendly and helpfulvery good host a safe and nice place to beLocation:
it is a lovely place to stay over if driving through durban/pe/east londonCleanliness:
the flat is simple but lovely and cleansafe parking a comfy bed and a clean apartment for a good priceneat and secure complex clean union and lots of privately i would stay there over and over againgreat hospitality beautiful touches in the rooms 101% clean apartments best place to bei enjoyed my stay at sandra’s place the place was clean and in good conditionRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
apartment description is very accurate and we felt safe in the compound
Go on an adventure in Eastern Cape
Offering wildlife safaris and several other enthralling options, Eastern Cape is a superb destination for an adventurous holiday with your beloved. You can also enjoy a great time together if you stay at a nice accommodation. For tips on where to go, be sure to go through the above list of the top romantic getaways in Eastern Cape.
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