Our most recommended things to do in Paarl

From Cape Town: 3 Regions Wine Tour incl 3 Estates, 15 Wines

1. From Cape Town: 3 Regions Wine Tour incl 3 Estates, 15 Wines

Join this guided tour to explore the 3 wine regions of Paarl, Franschhoek, and Stellenbosch. Be treated to chocolate, a wine tasting, and a cellar tour at Rheboksloof wine farm near Paarl. Drive through Paarl and then enjoy a photo stop at the Drakenstein Prison. Arrive at Franschhoek and spend some time exploring the town on your own. Enjoy lunch and indulge in an extra wine tasting. Afterward, take a scenic drive over the impressive Helshoogte Pass to the picturesque town of Stellenbosch. Have a walk around Stellenbosch before heading off to Simonsig. Take part in an afternoon wine tasting with cheese at Simonsig in the Stellenbosch region before heading back to Cape Town. Your wine guide will highlight points of interest along the way and will be on hand to answer any questions you have about the route or wine farms.

Cape Town: Full-Day Winelands Tour with Wine Tastings & Food

2. Cape Town: Full-Day Winelands Tour with Wine Tastings & Food

Uncork the Cape winelands and get drunk on its rich history, culture, and scenic vistas on a day trip from Cape Town with a guide who takes the terror out of terroir. Travel in a spacious bus and enjoy tastings of wine, cheese, and chocolate. Take in the countryside with a vineyard lunch. Hop aboard spacious and airconditioned bus in Cape Town and take in the wine country views on the way to the Paarl wine region which is famous for its cheese and wine tastings and great views. Continue to the Franschhoek wine region, a historic French enclave and the granddaddy of South African viticulture. Admire stunning mountain views as you make your way to the to student-settled Stellenbosch for home-cloned Pinotage and award-winning farms. Stop for a delicious a la carte lunch with vegetarian options. Visit a1688 French-run slave farm which was turned into a 21st century community-driven wine project. Immerse yourself in the facinating story of the region with a local guide. Travel along Cape Town's high roads and back roads tasting and learning about South Africa’s bubbly Cap Classique, heady ports, sweet dessert wines, and plenty of red and white wines.

From Cape Town: Stellenbosch & Franschhoek Wine Tasting Tour

3. From Cape Town: Stellenbosch & Franschhoek Wine Tasting Tour

Enjoy a day filled with beautiful scenery and wine and cheese tastings on a group tour of the Cape Winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek from Cape Town. Sample up to 20 different wines with stops at 4 award-winning wine estates and enjoy lunch. After pickup, head off on your tour to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, known as the American Express Wine Route of South Africa. Start with a town orientation tour of Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa. The first wine-tasting stop will be at the Delaire Graff Wine Estate. Known as the Jewel of the Cape Winelands, Delaire Graff is not only famous for its award-winning wines, but also for its views and Instagrammable photo spots. Taste five premium wines. From there, drive to the Tokara Wine Estate. Tokara prides itself in producing world-class red wines, award-winning olive oil, and sweeping views of the Stellenbosch Winelands. Here you'll taste up to four premium wines. Next, visit Delheim Wine Estate for lunch and a third wine tasting. Enjoy a main course with premium wine outside on the terrace (inside the restaurant in winter) at the garden restaurant overlooking the lush green gardens. Choose your main course meal from a selection of meat, poultry, fish, or vegetarian options. Additional Wines, soft drinks, and/or any other courses from the menu are available for purchase. Water for the table is included. Your final wine-tasting stop will be at one of the most popular wine-tasting destinations in the Cape Winelands, the Fairview Wine Estate. Taste up to six types of red and white wines paired with six carefully selected types of cheese. In between, choose to make an optional brief stop in front of the Drakenstein Correctional Center (formerly Victor Verster Prison) to take a photo of the Nelson Mandela monument. The tour culminates with a drive through the town of Franschhoek, known as the food and wine capital of South Africa. It's home to some of the finest restaurants and wine estates in the country. Learn about the French influence on the Cape Winelands and stop at the French Huguenot Monument for photos. Afterward, head back to Cape Town and get dropped off at your accommodation.

From Cape Town: Winelands Full Day Tour and Wine Tasting

4. From Cape Town: Winelands Full Day Tour and Wine Tasting

Embark on a breathtaking journey through the winelands of the South African Cape. Learn all about the process of making fine wines, from the vineyard to the bottle, and visit the historical towns of Stellenbosch, Franschoek & Paarl. After pickup from your hotel in Cape Town, set off to explore the Stellenbosch Winelands, just 20 minutes away from the city/ Enjoy superb scenery, completely different from the landscape of the Cape peninsula. Numerous grapes are grown in the region, such as Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, Pinotage, and the Méthode Cap Classique. Explore the small yet vibrant town of Stellenbosch. Enjoy a tour of a wine cellar followed by a wine tasting session. You will have the opportunity to purchase wines to bring back home to enjoy and continue enjoying the region's wonderful vintages even after your visit. Next, visit Franschoek ("the French Corner") which is an old Huguenot village. With its numerous streets and estates with French names, feel the remnants of French culture and the town's old-world charm. Taste the region's delicacies, cheeses, and best wines. Experience a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley as you journey through rolling vineyards in an open-side tram. Stop at the site of the Drakenstein Prison, a low-security prison between Paarl and Franschhoek. The prison is famous as the place where Nelson Mandela spent the last part of his imprisonment campaigning against apartheid. Discover the town of Paarl, which offers a fascinating window into Afrikaner culture and tradition. As a former haven of the Huguenots pioneers who came from Europe at the beginning of the 17th century after the Edict of Nantes, the town boasts a monument dedicated to the Huguenots. You will also be able to visit the town's vineyards where you will taste the region's finest wines. Finally, head back to Cape Town with drop-off at your hotel.

From Cape Town/Stellenbosch: Cape Peninsula Private Day Trip

5. From Cape Town/Stellenbosch: Cape Peninsula Private Day Trip

Leave the city behind and see the highlights of the Cape Peninsula on a day trip with your own private guide. Kick back and snap some pictures of the scenic ride through craggy mountains, lush valleys, and unique beaches, from the Cape of Good Hope to the sprawling False Bay coastline. Set off from your hotel in Cape Town or Stellenbosch for an adventure in South Africa’s most striking region. Get a taste of small-town life as you pass through Noordhoek, Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, and Simon’s Town. Here, the streets are rich with history and an impressive mix of cultures. Snake around the long road of Chapman’s Peak Drive, and see some of the most stunning coastal views in the world. Explore the natural paradise that is the Cape of Good Hope, where native wildlife thrives. Animal lovers are in for a treat at Boulders Beach, where you’ll meet Africa’s only penguins. Your driver will point out the best places to grab pictures and souvenirs and offer plenty of info on each location’s history and importance. There’ll be plenty of time to stretch your legs, grab a bite, and take in the landscape at each stop before the ride back to your hotel.

Fullday Wine Tour

6. Fullday Wine Tour

Driving Northeast out of Cape Town, we will pass some of the most well known townships in South Africa. The first one Langa, is the oldest one in Cape Town. Compared to other squatter like townships in South Africa. Langa is well developed and has seen its local economy grow from strength to strength over the years. Next we will pass the Cape Town International Airport. Known to be Africa's most award winning and safest Airport. Then we will pass a township called Khayelitsha. In Xhosa it means 'our new home'. Measuring 10 square miles and inhabiting more than half a million people. Vast majority of her inhabitants works in town and is daily dependant on public transport. As we drive off to the Cape Winelands region, we will pass The Cape Town Film Studios. The film industry grew rapidly in the lockdown. This is where The pirate carribean and Black Snails was shooted. Next we continue to the town of Stellenbosch, known to be the second oldest colonial town in the country. Her architecture, water furrows and well over 300 old oka trees guves one a nostalgic feeling of a bygone era. Dorp street for example has the longest row of oldest buildings in the Southern Hemiphere. Then we will pass the University of Stellenbosch. This is one of the Best universities in the country, because its where our winemakers study to become a wine maker. Next you will enjoy your first winetasting at Delaire Graff. Known to be the Jewel of the Cape Winelands. Next you will enjoy your second wine tasting at Tokara. They grow their own olives, and they reckon that it goes good with wine. Here you can do olive and wine tasting. Then we will continue to the town of Franschoek meaning ' French Corner'. This is where the French used to settle in the 1800's when they fleed from prosecution because of their religion. Franschoek is also top for food in the country. This is where we will stop for lunch. Lastly you will do a wine tasting at Eikenhof. A Small winefarm inherited by the fourth generation. This is where you will have the privilege of meeting the farmer himself doing the tasting. On our way back to Cape Town, we will stop at the Drakenstein Prison, where Nelson Mandela spend his last two years in prison.

Cape Town Full-Day Winelands Tour

7. Cape Town Full-Day Winelands Tour

While South Africa's fertile valleys are world famous for their crisp white and classic French-style red wines, the area is also a treasury of rustic beauty and sprawling estates shaded by giant oak trees. This full-day drive will include the country's principal wine routes of Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschoek, and a stop en route for lunch. The day starts with a visit to Paarl where you will be struck by the beauty of the Valley, the pristine blue sky, the rolling vineyards, and the Pearl of Paarl set high above the valley. Paarl made headlines when President Mandela was released from the Groot Drakenstein prison, on the outskirts of the town, to freedom and the start of a new South Africa. Enjoy a wine tasting and cellar tour at one of the local estates. From Paarl, continue north-west to the beautiful village of Franschhoek, near the Drakenstein Mountains founded in 1688 by French immigrants fleeing the Huguenot religious persecution in Europe. A memorial in the town commemorates the arrival of these early settlers who helped develop the wines sought after by Napoleon, Bismark, and royalty such as Edward VII, the Prince of Wales. Here, stop for lunch  and another wine tasting at a vineyard. Continue to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa and the historic heart of the country's wine region. In 1679, Dutch East India Company governor Simon van der Stel, recognized the fertility of this long valley on the banks of the Eerste River, as perfect for vineyards. The rest is history, which has been carefully cultivated in this town. A gracious blend of 18th-century Cape Dutch, Georgian, and Victorian buildings is evident on Dorp Street, where massive oaks still shade original water furrows. Enjoy a final wine tasting before returning to Cape Town.

From Cape Town: Cape Winelands Full-Day Private Tour

8. From Cape Town: Cape Winelands Full-Day Private Tour

Depart Cape Town and travel by luxury Mercedes Benz C-Class or Hyundai H1 towards the wine estates of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands. Travel along the N2 highway to the wine estate of DeMorgenzon, where you will stop for your first tasting at an award-winning winery and producer of one of the best Chenin Blanc wines in the region. (Wine tasting fees not included) Next, stop in Stellenbosch for an orientation tour of the town. Continue to the Marianne Wine Estate in Paarl and sample some biltong (dried meat) during a wine tasting at a winery that believes it enhances the flavors of their red wine. (Wine tasting fees not included) Travel to Fairview Wine and Cheese for a cheese and wine tasting and the chance to purchase your favorite cheese and condiments as well as wines from a choice of 3 labels. (Wine tasting fees not included) Make your way to the food and wine capital of Franschhoek, stopping at Drakenstein Prison to see the monument to Nelson Mandela along the way. Upon arrival in Franschhoek, visit the French Huguenot monument en route to the wine estate of Haute Cabrière. Taste their version of champagne, known as "MCC" ("Methode Cap Classique"). End your wine tasting tour at the Delaire Graff wine estate in the "jewel" of the Cape Winelands. (Wine tasting fees not included) Enjoy lunch (at your own expense) at one of the recommended restaurants, such as those at the Delaire Graff or La Petite Ferme wines estates or any of the many eateries in Franschhoek suitable for a light lunch. Return to your accommodation at the end of the day, or get dropped off at a restaurant in time for dinner.

Cape Town: 3 Regions Winelands Tour incl. 3 Estates 15 Wines

9. Cape Town: 3 Regions Winelands Tour incl. 3 Estates 15 Wines

Discover the Beauty of South Africa's Wine Country with a Full-Day Tour. Join a small group tour for an enriching journey that will leave you feeling inspired and fulfilled. Our tour will take you to at least three top wine farms across Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek. You'll enjoy wine tastings, visits to scenic spots, and a sumptuous lunch at a top-rated eatery in Franschhoek. Additionally, you can go on a cellar tour to learn more about winemaking. With this tour, you will enjoy the convenience of beginning your wine tour with a pickup service from your accommodation. Begin the wine tasting at Fairview Estate, which sits atop the southern slopes of Paarl Mountain. Here, you'll get to visit their famous vineyard and goat farm. The estate has been producing award-winning wines for over 300 years. To complement the wine tasting, you'll sample a full range of farm-made cheeses for which this winery is equally renowned. Next up is La Motte, located in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley. Here, you'll indulge in South Africa's finest wines in a beautifully decorated tasting room. On the way, you'll make a quick stop at Drakenstein, the prison where former President Nelson Mandela was once held, for a photo opportunity. Lunch (at your own expense) awaits you at La Petit restaurant, which overlooks the Franschhoek Valley. The restaurant offers country cuisine with a fresh contemporary touch. After lunch, you'll head to Stellenbosch, founded in 1679, and take a drive through the old Dutch village. On Church Street, you'll find unique coffee shops and art galleries. The first wine-tasting stop in this area is Boshendal, which is nestled in one of the most picturesque valleys in the Cape Winelands. Here, you can experience a delightful wine-and-chocolate pairing overlooking enchanting gardens. If time permits, you'll make a final stop on the way back to Cape Town at Muratie, one of the Cape's oldest and most impressive cellars. You'll have the opportunity to try their outstanding red and port wines to wrap up the day. We'll drop you off in the city at approximately 18h00, marking the end of a perfect day filled with the beauty and elegance of South Africa's wine country.

From Cape Town: Full-Day Cape Winelands Tour

10. From Cape Town: Full-Day Cape Winelands Tour

Tantalize your taste buds and brush up on your wine knowledge on this Cape Town Full-Day Winelands Tour. Visit the three major wine-producing areas of the Cape and get a chance to taste an assortment of wines coupled with wine pairing among other things. Go to Stellenbosch, known as the Wine Capital of South Africa. Be surrounded by the vineyards of the Cape Winelands and the mountainous nature reserves of Simonsberg and Jonkershoek. Next, go to Franschhoek to see its century-old Vineyards and Cape Dutch architecture. Make one last stop in Paarl, the third-oldest City and European settlement in the Republic of South Africa and the largest town in the Cape Winelands. Enjoy three wine tastings at Award-winning wine farms, accompanied by a cheese assortment and cellar tour. Take an exciting ride on the Franschhoek tram, and visit the Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela spent the last part of his captivity.

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What people are saying about Paarl

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 813 reviews

What an experience! I learnt so much about the wine making process and the heritage of each wine estate / farm that we visited for the day. Donovan was our tour guide and he lived up to expectation. He oozed experience and has great wealth of knowledge about the wine. He captured the Essence of African Story telling through the wine. So many takeaways from the experience. On top of that he made my birthday extra special, I came on the tour with my handbag small enough to fit a cellphone and left with a box of wine, wine holder, new friends and a lifetime of memories. Highly recommend the tour for local and international visitors.

It was an amazing day tour! We've been to 4 sites and tasted around 4 wines in each place. I loved learning more about how they started producing wine in South Africa and hearing more about the types of wine. They had vegetarian options on the lunch menu. I recommend you have breakfast before the tour since you will start drinking around 10 am.

The experience is as described and more, it is one of a kind. Loved the fact that different pairing experiences were part of the package

Great variety of vineyards, lively conversation with our guide.

Best wine tour we've ever done and we've done a lot of them