Travel to Cape Winelands

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Cape Winelands

is a wonderfully scenic area,

the culinary capital of Africa

a very beautiful region to explore

The Cape Winelands are located in the Western Cape region of South Africa.

Although wine is produced over a much broader area, this region of absolutely beautiful agricultural valleys to the northeast of Cape Town is the real heart of the Winelands.

Whilst it is vaguely possible to visit the Winelands on a day trip out from Cape Town, it really would be paying the area short shrift. We generally recommend staying out here for at least one night, longer if you are genuinely interested in fine food and wines.

We divide the Cape Winelands into three main areas, each of which has its own particular character.

The majority of our guests head for the fabulously pretty and upmarket village of Franschhoek, either sticking to that area or driving out to explore the surrounding areas.

Serious wine enthusiasts may choose to include an additional winelands area, but rather than head to the nearby Stellenbosch or Boschendal, it can be a lot more interesting to drive over the mountains and out to Robertson or McGregor, which feel even more remote and authentic.

You might also consider visiting the oldest vineyards in the Constantia area of Cape Town, as well as pioneering wine areas in the Whale Coast area.

Set in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek is a beautiful and relaxed village and a very popular place for our guests to stay, with a wealth of high class wineries, restaurants and hotels, plus options for shopping, mountain hiking and biking.

heart of the winelands

Franschhoek is set at the end of a beautiful sweeping valley, encircled by impressive mountains.

For most visitors this historic village is the most attractive base from which to explore these fabulous Winelands.

When French Huguenots first settled here in 1688, there were lions and elephants roaming the valley.

Those days may be long gone but there are still leopards and caracals up in the hills above the village.

The modern village remains a pleasant place to explore, with a relaxed, comfortable and upmarket atmosphere.

The tradition for fine food and wines is still very much alive, the village is the undisputed culinary capital of Africa.

There are many fabulous places to dine out, from chic brasseries to Michelin starred restaurants.

Many of the vineyards offer tours, tastings, restaurants and galleries.

There’s lots of opportunity for cycling, on the roads, around the vineyards and up into the mountains.

There’s also some decent hiking trails on the mountains above the village.

The valley contains a very wide range of accommodation, both in the village …

… and out amongst the surrounding vineyards.

Franschhoek is only around 1 to 2 hours by road from Cape Town.

Most people visit as part of a self-drive trip around the Cape, staying here 2 to 3 nights.

Go to Franschhoek

Set in the Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch is a substantial, historic and cosmopolitan town, centred on a large university and containing a pleasant network of tree-lined streets with stores, restaurants and bars, encircled by renowned wineries and golf courses.

a university town

Stellenbosch is set against impressive granite mountains across the flats from Cape Town.

Founded in 1680, it is the second oldest settlement in the country.

It is a large town, but with a pleasantly expansive and relaxed atmosphere.

Stellenbosch is dominated by a very large university, which naturally brings a young and vibrant feel to the place.

The shady streets contain a great range of stores, bars and restaurants …

… along with museums and other buildings of historical interest.

At the top end of town there are some pleasant botanical gardens.

On all sides the town is surrounded by impressive wineries, many of which are open to the public.

There’s a relatively modest range of accommodation in the town itself …

… with the out of town Delaire Graff being the most upmarket option in the vicinity.

Stellenbosch is only around an hour by road from Cape Town.

Most of our guests choose to base themselves in Franschhoek, further into the mountains, perhaps visiting Stellenbosch on the way through.

Go to Stellenbosch

Set in the Cape Winelands, Boschendal is a modest local settlement set in a broad and very pretty valley, taking its name from perhaps the grandest of all the historic estates and with other top wineries in the vicinity.

some famous wineries

Boschendal lies between the larger and better known centres of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

The area contains some of the most impressive historic wine farms in the Cape.

A couple of the accommodation options in the area are really exceptional.

Go to Boschendal

Set in the Cape Winelands, Paarl is an historic town with some impressive vineyards, but much of a functional business centre than Franschhoek or Stellenbosch and therefore less appealing to most international visitors.