South Africa’s Winelands
There is no better place to go wine tasting in South Africa than in the Winelands. However, you don’t need to like wine to enjoy the stunning area. People go there for the picturesque scenery, the superb restaurants, and the chic boutique hotels.
When to go to Winelands
Best Time to Go
Scenic mountains and sprawling vineyards
Vineyard tours and fine dining
Cape dutch architecture
Hiking, walking, bicycling and golf courses
Award-Winning Wine & Gourmet Experiences
The Cape Winelands begin just a 45-minute drive from Cape Town. The Mediterranean climate is ideal for growing grapes, leading to this region becoming a world-class wine destination. Our favourite part of the Winelands is the area closest to Cape Town, around the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. Explore the vast vineyards, visit sprawling wine estates, and discover the local history on public and private tours. The Winelands are also fabulous for foodies, with Franschhoek and Stellenbosch providing plenty of first-rate restaurants. In fact, Franschhoek, ‘French corner’, is considered South Africa’s culinary capital! Whether your taste buds are tantalised by Dutch, French, Italian, Greek, or superb South African cuisine, you will find something to suit you here.
Winelands Trips
Activities
Although it’s possible to visit from Cape Town, we prefer to include a couple of nights in the Winelands whenever possible, as there’s so much to see and do!
Wine tasting
Explore Franschhoek
Visit art galleries
Scenic mountain trails
Golfing
World-class dining
Historic sites and museums
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There is no better place to go wine tasting in South Africa than in the Winelands. From small, boutique wineries to renowned varietals, wine enthusiasts will find something to suit all palates.
Franschhoek is our destination of choice, the most picturesque of the area’s towns and home to the best restaurants. In peak season, it is hugely important to book the best restaurants in advance. Besides world-class dining, it boasts a selection of cafés, boutique shops, and various art galleries, too.
The Cape Winelands reward art enthusiasts with some important galleries where work by renowned South African artists is displayed. In Franschhoek, the Holden Manz Collection is home to an inspiring portfolio of contemporary African art. Up-and-coming artists are also represented in the Art in the Yard gallery, which offers lovely views over Franschhoek to enhance your art experience. In Stellenbosch, notable art galleries include the Sasol, featuring an intriguing anthropology section, and the De Loude Libertas, which showcases a new exhibition every month.
Days in the Winelands can also be spent hiking or biking up, down, and around the majestic mountains. Large areas of the region are nature reserves, full of all sorts of trails. Whether you fancy a brief stroll or a full-on three-day excursion, there is something for every level of fitness here. Cycling is also a popular activity, with operators offering mountain bikes for hire and an exhilarating range of tours.
Winelands golf is an awesome experience too. The region’s De Zalze Winelands Golf Estate consists of 300 hectares! Here you can start with a hearty breakfast and perhaps relax in the club lounge before stepping out onto the green. Designed by Peter Matkovich, the course features 18 holes spread across a beautiful landscape that is not without its challenges – for example, the oak-lined Blaauwklippen River, which winds its way around the estate.
The Winelands is known for its fine dining experiences and a selection of seriously good restaurants overseen by world-renowned chefs. An unmissable foodie destination with wine pairings to match!
Founded in 1679 by Dutch Governor Simon van der Stel, Stellenbosch is the second-oldest settlement in South Africa, after Cape Town. If you are interested in architecture, you will love simply wandering the streets and marvelling at all manner of buildings from the Cape Dutch, Georgian, and Victorian periods! One whole street – Dorp Street – is a national monument and a glorious sight to behold. The town also boasts a diverse range of museums, featuring exhibits that span from old-world artefacts to modern art, from weaponry to toys and miniatures. There is also a museum in Franschhoek, the Huguenot Memorial, which presents the town’s past in an engaging manner.
Talk to someone who’s been there
Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.Good to Know
01.What are the best accommodation options?
The Last Word is the entrance-level hotel that we recommend. Located on the main street of Franschhoek, this little property has a charm and character that is hard to beat. Step up a level and the nearby Le Quartier Français is exceptionally good, while La Residence is truly the most luxurious, and probably the most memorable, hotel in the region.
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