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Cradled by mountains and hills and surrounded by a patchwork of vineyards, Franschhoek is one of South Africa’s oldest European towns, known for its wine production and 17th-century Cape Dutch architecture. Its name, meaning ‘French corner’ in Dutch, harks back to the late-17th century when French Huguenots fled here to escape persecution — you can learn more about this period at the Huguenot Memorial Museum.
Being in the heart of the Cape Winelands, it’s no surprise that most people come here for the wine — you can hop between the many wineries for tastings, whether by bike or aboard the Franschhoek Wine Tram. The town itself is set along a leafy main street lined with galleries, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. And, with so much untouched countryside on your doorstep, including Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, you’ll find hiking trails aplenty.
Private wine tour with an expert
If you’re a true wine connoisseur or simply want to delve deeper into the art of wine making, we can pair you with a private guide who’s an expert in viticulture. They’ll make note of your wine preferences and any specific interests so they can try to plan visits to wineries that match your tastes, all while sharing their knowledge of the field so you come away with an even greater understanding and appreciation of wine.
You’ll begin in nearby Stellenbosch, where you’ll enjoy a tasting at a well-established wine estate. There’ll also be time to browse the town’s shops and cafes. Then, after lunch, you’ll visit some of Franschhoek’s more intimate, family-run wine farms for tours and tastings.
Franschhoek Wine Tram
Not only providing a convenient way to get from vineyard to vineyard, the hop-on, hop-off Franschhoek Wine Tram also gives you a chance to soak in the mountain views while sipping on a complimentary glass of wine. You’ll also experience a taste of history — some of the double-decker, vintage-style trams run on tracks that were originally constructed in 1904 for farmers to transport their produce from farm to market.
Departing from Franschhoek itself, you can choose from ten different routes, each stopping at eight or nine wine estates which vary from intimate, family-run farms to long-established, sprawling estates. Each stop offers a different experience, whether you opt to have a wine tasting (sometimes paired with chocolate, cheese, or other complementary foods), enjoy a gourmet lunch prepared using fresh local ingredients, or learn more about the wine-making process by touring the winery.
It’s up to you where you stop on your line, though the number of stops may depend on the time of day you set off and the tram’s schedule, which you’ll be given before boarding.
A guided cycle ride between wineries
You can join a three-hour cycle tour of the wineries surrounding Franschhoek, departing from the town itself. You’ll pedal along mountain passes and backroads to avoid traffic, soaking in views over the fist-like mountains and vine-woven valleys.
There’ll be up to three stops at different estates so you can sample their best vintages. At each, your guide will tell you more about the region’s history and wine-making heritage, plus you can learn about the process from grape to bottle.
Some sections of the cycle ride are uphill, but you can upgrade to an e-bike to make the pedaling easier, and your guide will try their best to ensure the pace suits your group’s fitness levels.
Best time to visit Franschhoek
You can visit the Cape Winelands at any time of year and experience fine weather, but it’s warmest and driest between September and April. It can be busy between November and February, so visiting before or after these months gives you a quieter experience. To experience harvest season, visit in March and April.
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Start planning your tailor-made trip to Franschhoek by contacting one of our South Africa specialists
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Suggested itinerary featuring Franschhoek
This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Franschhoek, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Franschhoek
- The Winelands 16 kilometers away
- Paarl 24 kilometers away
- Stellenbosch 25 kilometers away
- Hermanus 58 kilometers away
- The Whale Coast 60 kilometers away
- Cape Town 65 kilometers away
- Constantia 67 kilometers away
- The Cape Peninsula 76 kilometers away
- De Kelders 76 kilometers away
- The Overberg 87 kilometers away
- Montagu 94 kilometers away
- Swellendam 123 kilometers away
- Sanbona Game Reserve 134 kilometers away
- Langebaan 137 kilometers away
- De Hoop Nature Reserve 144 kilometers away
- The Cederberg Mountains 157 kilometers away
- Paternoster 168 kilometers away
- Calitzdorp 242 kilometers away
- Oudtshoorn & Surrounds 288 kilometers away
- The Cango Caves & Swartberg Pass 293 kilometers away
- Wilderness 320 kilometers away
- The Klein Karoo 353 kilometers away
- Knysna 363 kilometers away
- Plettenberg Bay 392 kilometers away
- Tsitsikamma Forest 441 kilometers away
Photos of Franschhoek
Accommodation choices for Franschhoek
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Franschhoek. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Gable Manor
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La Residence
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Mont Rochelle Hotel
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Franschhoek Country House & Villas
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Leeu House
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Le Quartier Francais
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Boschendal
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L'Auberge Chanteclair
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La Cabrière Country House
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La Fontaine Guest House
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The Last Word Franschhoek
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Ideas for experiencing Franschhoek
Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Franschhoek, and which use the best local guides.
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Franschhoek Wine Tram Franschhoek Wine Tram
Franschhoek Wine Tram
This wine-focused tram service runs from historic Franschhoek Village and stops at some of South Africa's oldest and most renowned wine estates.
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Wine tasting on horseback Wine tasting on horseback
Wine tasting on horseback
Explore the natural beauty of the Winelands on horseback, riding through vineyards, forests, and over mountains between tastings.
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