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Vineyard in Stellenbosch

Visit the Winelands, South Africa

Vineyard in Stellenbosch

Drive just an hour east of Cape Town and you reach vine-woven valleys slotted between great knuckle-like mountains. This is South Africa’s Winelands region, one of the first areas of the country settled by Europeans and a hub for all things food and drink.

The region’s three main towns — Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl — form a triangle that you can easily visit all in one trip. Our South Africa specialists have done so many times, and can give you tips on what to see and do, creating a Winelands itinerary that suits your interests.

It almost goes without saying that wine tasting usually forms a significant part of your stay. Many vineyards offer guided tours and tastings, from smaller boutique wineries to sprawling estates. You can cycle between them or take the Wine Tram from Franschhoek, hopping on and off at different estates as and when you please.

The food scene also thrives here, and many wine estates have their own restaurants where you can enjoy food-and-wine pairings. Alternatively, take a guided food tour of Stellenbosch, sampling everything from biltong (dried cured meat) to koeksisters (a sweet, syrupy pastry).

Stellenbosch is also a good place to explore the region’s history. It’s South Africa’s second-oldest European settlement, established in 1679 by Dutch Governor Simon van der Stel. You can soak up its colonial heritage, from the dazzling-white Cape Dutch buildings to the Victorian and Georgian mansions set along oak-lined streets.

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Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ specialist David

Start planning your tailor-made trip to the Winelands by contacting one of our South Africa specialists

Places to visit in the Winelands

Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting the Winelands, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travelers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.

Suggested itineraries featuring the Winelands

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in the Winelands, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of the Winelands

Places & hotels on the map

    Places in and around the Winelands

    Our expert guides to exploring the Winelands

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting the Winelands, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate the Winelands at its best.

    • 5 ways to experience The Cape region and Winelands
      Franschhoek, the Cape Winelands

      5 ways to experience The Cape region and Winelands

      5 ways to experience The Cape region and Winelands

      The Cape Region is the perfect introduction to South Africa with places such as Cape Town, the Winelands and Walker Bay, where you can see migrating whales. Equally famous is the Garden Route, a scenic stretch of coastline some 185 miles long.

      8 min read

      Read this guide
    • Wine tours of South Africa
      La Motte wine house in Franschhoek

      Wine tours of South Africa

      Wine tours of South Africa

      South Africa's wine is world-renowned and there are a number of tours you can include in a tailor-made trip of South Africa that allow you to sample these tasty tipples. Our specialists are able to recommend suitable vineyards for you to explore based on your own taste.

      4 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for the Winelands

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit the Winelands. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.