Prince Albert was founded in 1762 on the loan farm De Queek Vallei with Zacharias De Beer as its first incumbent. Originally known as Albertsburg, when it obtained municipal status in 1845 it was renamed Prince Albert in honour of Queen Victoria's consort, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg.

Prince Albert enjoys a beautiful healthy climate with high temperatures in summer and comfortable sunny but crisp conditions during winter with cold nights, reaching midwinter minimums of 2 °C, with frost in places. Summer and winter blend into one another, leaving only a matter of weeks for spring and autumn. Prince Albert's dry heat is ideal for anyone suffering from chest conditions and many people feel the health benefits of living here. This dry heat may spike up to 40 °C on a few days in the summer with an average of 33–35 °C, and 17 °C in the winter months.

The village has many well-preserved Cape Dutch, Karoo and Victorian buildings, thirteen of which are National Monuments. There are several olive farms and other very large export fruit farms in the area, as well as sheep farms, an export mohair trade, and each year the village celebrates the well-known olive festival. Birding, hiking, cycling and stargazing are other pursuits for visitors. The area is well known for its hardy endemic veld plants and is frequently a destination for botanists from all over the world. Visitors also enjoy excellent dining on fine Karoo lamb and cheeses from the local dairy.

Some great info on visiting Prince Albert can be found on the local tourism site.