An area of exquisite beauty with verdant green vineyards, oak avenues leading to elegant Cape Dutch wine estates and the charming towns.
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The Cape Winelands are South Africa’s answer to slow living—think verdant green vineyards, oak-lined avenues, and elegant Cape Dutch estates. Only 45 minutes from Cape Town, it’s tempting to dash in for a day trip. But trust us: a couple of nights here will do wonders for your wine knowledge and your soul.
Visit some of the most charming towns and villages in South Africa. From the foodie buzz of Franschhoek to the historic charm of Stellenbosch, and the secret corners such as Tulbagh.
This is a corner of South Africa not designed for rushing. The main pleasure is just enjoying the good life: appreciating the wine and the Cape Dutch architecture. Enjoying lazy meals in one of many excellent restaurants or browsing in shops and art galleries. Taking scenic cycle rides in the vineyards or walks in the mountains.
If you’re after the ultimate indulgence, our luxury Cape Winelands holidays serve up private tastings and five-star boutique hotels such as La Residence or Lanzerac.
Did you know? - The tradition of sabrage (opening a bottle of bubbly with a sword) is alive and well at Haute Cabrière Wine Estate in Franschhoek— a skill best left to the professionals, unless you fancy a spot of redecorating.
Stellenbosch – central, historic university town which makes a great base to get to everywhere
Franschhoek - pretty and quaint, surrounded by mountains
Why not check out our article on:
Somerset West - closer to the Ocean (and Hermanus) so makes a good to base to explore several areas if you have 3 nights.
Northern Winelands of Tulbagh, Wellington and Paarl - off the beaten track and unspoilt.
Ready to raise a glass in the Winelands? Let us tailor your perfect escape—just ask us for a sample itinerary, and we’ll take it from there.
What is the best time of year to visit the Cape Winelands?
Wondering about the best time to visit the Cape Winelands? We break down what each season brings below. Simple answer is you can visit any time of year, but probably best time to visit is in the summer and autumn months for the colour of the autumnal vineyards (November to April).
Can you visit the Winelands without a car?
You can, but to get the best out of the area, we recommend private touring with a guide. Or join some of the scheduled excursions such as the Wine Tram or Wine Hopper bus in Stellenbosch, or a small group cycling tour. Naturally it’s best to stay in the town centres if you opt for the latter so that you can walk to the starting point.
Are there family-friendly hotels in the Cape Winelands?
Many Cape Winelands hotels offer family-friendly rooms – chat to us about what will suit YOUR family best. There are also family-friendly wine estates such as Fairview for guilt-free wine-tasting whilst the kids enjoy the gardens or child appropriate tasting options.
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