Things to do in

Franschhoek

Depart Cape Town by coach and head directly to the Franschhoek valley to join the Franschhoek hop-on hop-off wine tram and bus. The Franschhoek Wine Tram offers a choice of two hop-on hop-off lines (Orange or Purple) to choose from, operating in opposite directions. Each route visits eight wine estates showcasing a separate part of the Franschhoek Valley, including Noble Hill, Babylonstoren, Backsberg, Vrede & Lust, Plaisir de Merle, Allee Bleue, Boschendal, and Solms Delta. Realistically, you will be able to visit 5-6 estates in one day.  Enjoy transportation by a combination of tram and tram-buses around a loop. Each stop is at a different wine estate, allowing you to hop on and hop off at any of the estates. The tram or tram-buses pass each stop once an hour, so you can explore at your convenience to move from one estate to the next. Each of the lines has a wide selection of wine estates to visit, from boutique to marquee estates and each offers a unique perspective on the Franschhoek wine experience. At 4:00 PM, head back to the motor coach for your transfer back to Cape Town.

You will be picked up at your accommodation between 9:00 and 9:30 AM by a tour guide/driver in a luxury minibus and head off on an all-inclusive, full day Cape winelands tour. Follow the Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek wine route in all its splendor and enjoy lunch surrounded by vineyards. You’ll enjoy wine tasting at up to 5 wine estates, and will also visit monuments, enjoy a town orientation tour in Stellenbosch and explore the town of Franschhoek. Travel along the scenic N2 and stop at DeMorgenzon wine estate in Stellenbosch for the first wine tasting of the day. DeMorgenzon is unique in that they have musical speakers scattered across the vineyards from which soft classical music can be heard. They also produce one of the best Chenin Blanc wines in the region. From there, proceed to one of the oldest towns in South Africa, Stellenbosch, for a town orientation tour. Continue to Marianne Wine Estate in Paarl to experience biltong and taste their wines. Marianne believes that pairing different types of biltong with red wine enhances the flavors of their wines. Continue to Fairview Vineyards and Goats Cheese for a cheese and wine tasting. Purchase your favorite cheese and condiments from the deli, as well as wine from a choice of 3 ranges in the tasting room. As you follow along this route you’ll stop in front of Drakenstein Prison to see the Nelson Mandela monument. This prison is where Nelson Mandela spent his last days of incarceration before his walk to freedom. Next you’ll have a chance to explore the town of Franschhoek, known as the food and wine capital of South Africa. It is home to some of the finest restaurants and wine estates in the country. Learn about the French influence on the Cape winelands and explore a bit of the town itself. Take a break for lunch (at your own expense) and later visit the Mont Rochelle wine estate owned by Sir Richard Branson. Your last wine tasting for the day will be at Delaire Graff, known as the jewel of the Cape winelands. Afterwards, you’ll head back to Cape Town and be dropped off at your accommodation.

Meet your guide at Huguenot Memorial Museum in Franschhoek, a village with centuries-old vineyards and historic regional architecture. Learn how to ride your e-bike, adjust the seat post, and grab a helmet. Cycle through the countryside following picturesque trails and roads. Take in the breathtaking scenery while avoiding the main roads. Visit 2–3 wineries and cycle through vineyards, tasting wine at each spot. Take pictures of lovely Franschhoek Village and the surrounding mountains from different angles. Listen as your informative guide fills you in on the rich history of the area.

Uncork the Cape winelands and get drunk on its rich history, culture, and scenic vistas on a full-day trip with a guide who takes the terror out of terroir. Your journey begins in the Paarl wine region, famous for its cheese and wine tastings and great views. You’ll then meander to the Franschhoek wine region – a historic French enclave and granddaddy of South African viticulture with stunning mountain views. Then on to student-settled Stellenbosch for home-cloned Pinotage and award-winning farms. Also included is a delicious a la carte lunch with vegetarian options. From full-bodied tales with complex twists – like a 1688 French-run slave farm turned 21st century community driven wine project - to light and fruity fables, Bruce and his guides will keep you entertained. 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.

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 or 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 a cheese platter 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.

Taste the local culture with this cellar tour. All wine tastings are paired with customized cheese, chocolate and cured meats. Visit 4 different wine estates in both regions: famous farms and some hidden gems known only to locals. Learn how wine is made, how to taste wine, what foods and wines pair best, and what bottles to order at restaurants. Enjoy a delicious light lunch served in the middle of the wine lands overlooking the Franschhoek valley.  Benefit from a diverse range of wine styles, local treats of cured meats paired with selected wines, artisanal chocolate and stroll down the beautiful main road of Franschhoek.

Explore the magnificent mountains and wine farms surrounding the Franschhoek Valley in an exciting and family-friendly way. During the tour, you will freewheel down the gentle slopes of wine farms and also through the Mt Rochelle Nature Reserve with breathtaking views over the Franschhoek Valley. The route is easy to navigate and the only requirement is that you are able to ride a bicycle. All tours are guided by professional qualified guides and also accompanied by a photographer who will take action photos of the tour. The pictures are for sale after the tour giving you time to enjoy the action while you have the option to buy photos and make the memories last after the tour. Scooters are non-motorized and propelled by gravity. You don't need to be fit to enjoy this activity, but you must be able to balance a bicycle.

Attention wine lovers! Get ready to 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. Stellenbosch/Zewenwacht The Stellenbosch winelands, just 20 minutes away from the city of Cape Town, offer a 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 (local champagne). Stellenbosch is a small but vibrant town with a very famous university and numerous activities like wine cellar tours and tastings. You will have the opportunity to purchase wines to bring back home to enjoy continue enjoying the region's wonderful vintages even after your visit. (1h 45min) Franschoek/Marianne Wine Estate Franschoek ("the French Corner") is an old Huguenot village. With its numerous streets and estates with french names, the town will disorient you, making you wonder whether you have been transported to France in another era. You will be completely enchanted by the town's charm and its very peaceful environment. You will get the chance to taste the region's delicacies, cheeses, and its best wines. Experience a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley as you journey through rolling vineyards in an open-side tram. (2h) Drakenstein Prison Drakenstein is 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 for campaigning against apartheid. (10min) Paarl/Laborie The town of Paarl 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. (1h)

Perfect for wine lovers and adventure lovers too, this tour takes off on a 4x4 to visit 3 to 4 wine estates, depending on your time and pace. Drive into the vineyards while enjoying the beautiful views of the countrysides of Franschhoek, Banghoek, and Stellenbosch. From your guide, you’ll learn about the area, the vines, wines, and vineyards, as well as the history of these settlements before going down into the cellars for a tasting.   As this is a private tour, you get to decide where to have lunch: in the town of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, or on one of the many wine estates in the region. Your guide will assist you with the choice and make sure you get what you’re craving. Join this tour for an unforgettable experience.

Spend a day exploring the food and wine capital of South Africa, Franschhoek Valley. Enjoy a convenient pickup from your accommodation in Cape Town and head to the Franschhoek Wine Tram Station. Choose from a selection of routes, each one visiting a variety of wine estates and showcasing a different part of the picturesque Franschhoek Valley. Curate your own wine-country adventure using the convenient hop-on hop-off system. Take a cellar tour, sample local wines, or enjoy a gourmet lunch, you get to choose how long you spend at each spot. Choose from the following lines: Purple/Orange Lines: (Sat) • Solms-Delta • Allee Bleue • Boschendal • Plaisir de Merle • Vrede en Lust • Noble Hill • Babylonstoren • Backsberg Green/Blue Line: (Sun, Mon, Sat) • Grande Provence • Rickety Bridge • Franschhoek Cellar • Pigcasso • Maison • Mont Rochelle • La Bri • Holden Manz Red/Yellow Line: (Wed, Fri, Sat) • Le Lude • Maison • Eikehof • Lynx • Paserene • Grande Provence • Rickety Bridge • Franschhoek Cellar Grey/Pink Line: (Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat) • Haute Cabriere • Holden Manz • Grande Provence • Rickety Bridge • Leopards Leap • Chamonix • Dieu Donne After your day in Franschhoek, meet your driver back at the tram station and head back to your accommodation in Cape Town.