Cape Winelands, Western Cape
The fertile green valleys of the Cape Winelands are surrounded by proud mountain ranges. Towns and villages have many historic homesteads and monuments, and every so often fruit orchards are to be seen, whose produce may be found in all corners of the world. It is the Mediterranean climate and winter rainfall of the south-western Cape that produces some of the best wines in the country.
The rich, fertile soils along the Breede River Valley and especially the areas of Somerset West, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, have become world famous for their whites, reds, sherries, ports and brandies. View the Wine Routes of the Cape for a detailed overview of all of the wine routes which includes the Constantia Valley, Coastal Routes, Little Karoo and Olifants River Wine Routes and more.
Destinations / Town & Suburbs of the Cape Winelands
Franschhoek
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Franschhoek
The French corner of the Cape, Franshoek lies in one of the most beautiful wine valleys in the world, just 45 minutes’ from Cape Town and within half an hour of the Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington and Somerset West wine ... franschhoek information
Paarl
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Paarl
The town of Paarl has a unique character, not least because vineyards still grow in between residential neighbourhoods maintaining a country feel to a town virtually the size of a small city, but also because it is here that the struggle ... paarl information
Simondium
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Simondium
The little hamlet of Simondium lies at the upper point of a triangle with Stellenbosch and Franschoek on the R45 and, because it is the lesser known of the three, tends to be described in terms of the other two towns, with ... simondium information
Stellenbosch
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Stellenbosch
The name ‘Stellenbosch’ is almost synonymous with the Cape wine industry. Not only does it have the oldest wine route in the country, and arguably the most famous, but the town has one of the most modern experimental wineries ... stellenbosch information
Wellington
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Wellington
Nearby is the smaller and very attractive town of Wellington. Visit the Wellington Museum in Church Street and the Dutch Reformed Church. Beyond Wellington is the Bain's Kloof Pass which is a historical monument. Built by Andrew Bain ... wellington information
Tulbagh
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Tulbagh
Just 80 minutes' drive north of Cape Town, at the northern edge of one of the most beautiful fertile valleys in the country, lies the historical town of Tulbagh. The village nestles in amongst the Winterhoek, Witzenberg and ... tulbagh information
Cape Winelands
Featured and "Must See" Attractions in Cape Winelands
Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve
Just outside Stellenbosch, lying in the beautiful Jonkershoek Valley, is Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve. It is a particularly scenic nature reserve set on the Eerste River with the Stellenbosch Mountain in the background and SAFCOL plantations and vineyards the immediate neighbours to the reserve ... more information
Burgerhuis Museum
The Burgerhuis, a cultural museum in Stellenbosch, is one of a group of historical buildings that surround the village green, also know as the Braak. Stellenbosch’s village green was laid out as early as 1703 as a parade ground that today lies at the heart of the oak-lined streets, water canals and beautiful ... more information
Butterfly World
Butterfly World, the largest butterfly park in South Africa, lies at the cross roads of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Wellington, just off the N1 at exit 47, near a little village known as Klapmuts. A visit to Butterfly World is a stop that takes little effort, and is invariably richly rewarded with sightings of butterflies from as far ... more information
Franschhoek Wine Route
The Valley of the Huguenots, as Franschhoek is also known, became home to a community of French Huguenots who fled their country from religious persecution. The Huguenots soon recognised that this valley had very similar weather to the wine growing regions in France. Today, over 300 years later, this ... more information
Groot Drakenstein Prison
The Groot Drakenstein correctional facility (the former Victor Verster maximum security prison near Simondium, between Franschhoek and Paarl) is a working prison that was renamed in 2000. It is on the map chiefly because this was the last place in which Nelson Mandela was incarcerated and it was through ... more information
Paarl Vintners
Paarl Vintners has earned its place as the world’s first ‘red route’ because of its focus on wines such as Roodeberg, Cabernet Sauvignon, port and Shiraz. The Paarl district includes the wards of Franschhoek and Wellington as well as the newer wards of Simonsberg-Paarl and Voor-Paardeberg. more information
Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Where to Stay: Stellenbosch Accommodation
Bottelary Hills lies on the slopes of the Bottelary Mountain range with most of its vineyards facing north thus producing excellent red wines. This area is considered at the forefront of viticulture and viniculture when it comes ... more information
Wellington Wine Route
Only 45 minutes outside of Cape Town, the Wellington wine route is one of the youngest wine routes in the Cape, although the viticultural heritage dates back to the French Huguenots of the late 1600s. Officially launched in the mid 1990s, the predominantly working but charming farms produce some top quality red ... more information
Huguenot Memorial
The Huguenot Monument is dedicated to the cultural influences that French Huguenots have brought to the Cape Colony after their immigration during the 17th and 18th centuries. The Memorial Museum neighbouring the monument elaborates on the history of the French Huguenots who settled in the Cape.
Afrikaanse Taal Monument
Known simply as the Taal monument or Afrikaans language monument, the most famous Afrikaans icon, die Afrikaanse Taalmonument, sits on Paarl rock, erected in 1975 to commemorate the semi centenary of Afrikaans as an official language, separate from Dutch, overlooking the farmlands of Stellenbosch ... more information
Wijnland Auto Museum
There are those who live in Cape Town and its surrounds who have not even heard of the Wijnland Auto Museum, one of the most interesting places to visit that not only contains an unbelievable amount of history, but one of the most incredible collections of vintage cars you will ever see. Whilst this is a ... more information
Limietberg Nature Reserve
Lying in the Du Toitskloof Mountains close to Paarl, Limietberg Nature Reserve is a beautiful space in which to spend time, particularly if you are a hiker. There are nine separate hiking trails that wind through fynbos, indigenous forest, rugged and steep kloofs, and valleys through which the Breede and Berg rivers ... more information
Cape Winelands
Featured Things To Do in the Cape Winelands
Visit the Drakenstein Lion Park
Where: Between Paarl & Stellenbosch
How much (per person): R1 to R100
The Drakenstein Lion Park is a Sanctuary for captive born predators. Drakenstein Lion Park was established in 1998 to provide lions in distr ... more information
Wine Tasting at Rickety Bridge Winery
Where: Franschhoek
How much (per person): R1 to R100
Rickety Bridge Winery celebrated its 200th anniversary in 1997. The cellar is situated on the temperate slopes of the Franschhoek valley, co ... more information
Cape Winelands
Holiday Accommodation in Cape Winelands
For accommodation in the Cape Winelands see:
• Franschhoek Accommodation • Paarl Accommodation • Simondium Accommodation
• Stellenbosch Accommodation • Tulbagh Accommodation • Wellington Accommodation
Or to see all accommodation in this region at once, visit Cape Winelands Accommodation.
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destinations / attractions in the western cape
