# Cape Winelands day tour: Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl

## Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl: what each Winelands town offers and how to visit on a day tour

*Published: 2026-05-05 13:43:14*
*Tags: Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, wine tour, day tour, South Africa*

> Stellenbosch, Franschhoek or Paarl? What each Winelands town offers, estates to visit and day tours from Cape Town from $82 with tastings.

## Article

The Cape Winelands

 The Cape Winelands start about 45 minutes from Cape Town. The three best-known towns are Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, each with its own character and dozens of wine estates. Most day tours visit two of them.

 Stellenbosch

 Founded in 1679, Stellenbosch is South Africa's second-oldest town and home to its best-known university. The centre has oak-lined streets and Cape Dutch buildings, and the Stellenbosch Wine Route has well over a hundred estates, including Spier and, nearby in Somerset West, Vergelegen.

 Tastings at estates such as Spier and Delaire Graff
 A walk through the historic centre and Dorp Street
 Franschhoek

 Franschhoek was settled by French Huguenots in the late seventeenth century and is known for its restaurants as much as its wine. The Huguenot Memorial Museum tells their story, and the Franschhoek Pass above the town has good views over the valley.

 Tastings at estates such as La Motte and Boschendal
 The Huguenot Memorial Museum
 The Franschhoek Wine Tram, a hop-on hop-off way to visit several estates
 Paarl

 Paarl sits below Paarl Rock, a huge granite dome, and is home to the Afrikaans Language Monument. Estates here include Nederburg and Fairview, known for its cheese as well as its wine.

 Tastings at Nederburg and Fairview
 Paarl Rock and the Afrikaans Language Monument
 The Paarl Museum
 Choosing a tour

 Our small-group Winelands tour visits Stellenbosch and Franschhoek with tastings and lunch from $82 per person. The private version costs from $115, and you choose the estates. For something different, try an e-bike wine tour in Franschhoek.

 For more ideas, see our other Cape Town guides.

 Frequently asked questions

 When is the best time to visit the Winelands?

 Any time of year. Summer (November to March) is warm and good for sitting outside; harvest runs from about February to April. Winter is green and quiet, and many estates light their fires.

 How much does a Winelands day tour cost?

 Our small-group tour costs from $82 per person including tastings and lunch, and private tours start from $115.

 What should I wear?

 Comfortable clothes and shoes, a hat and sunscreen in summer, and a warm layer for the evening.

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