Franschhoek Bucket List: Amazing Places to Visit in Franschhoek
Franschhoek in South Africa offers a rare and refreshing landscape during an age of urbanization. What complements the landscape are fun activities such as wine-tasting, eating, hiking, and touring. Here are some of the activities you can do in Franschhoek:
Drive at the Helshoogte Pass
The Helshoogte Pass is the perfect way to descend into Franschhoek. As you look from your car window, the view encapsulates the breathtaking landscape of vineyards and mountains. You also get to see plenty of cyclists passing by and little local villages such as Kylemore and Pniel.
Get Breakfast in the Big Dog Café
On your way to Franschhoek, feel free to grab a bite in the Big Dog Café. The café was built with traditional brick and wood and contained four-seater tables and bar stools as well.
This relaxing environment is complemented by the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans and a peaceful garden.
Location: 191 Main Road, R45, Franschhoek
Email: info@bigdogcafe.co.za
Telephone: +27 (0)21 876 2731
Facebook Page: Big Dog Cafe
Buy Cheese at the Dalewood Cheese Farm
Before going to the wine estates, buying the best artisanal cheese in town is a prerequisite to complement your experience.
In fact, Dalewood Fromage uses 100% natural milk in all its cheese products. Some of the must-try cheeses you should buy are blue cheeses such as the Blue Brie and Blue Camembert.
Address: Klapmuts – Simondium Rd, Klapmuts, Paarl, 7646, South Africa
Phone: +27 21 200 2580
Savor the Wines at Dieu Donne Vineyards
Dieu Donne Vineyards is the classic combination of a good drink and breathtaking scenery. The vineyard is located at the Franschhoek mountains with an average temperature of 17-18 degrees Celsius during summer.
There is a tasting facility filled with new and old-world wines such as the Bordeaux, which you can drink in the upper terrace while you absorb the scenery’s ambiance.
Address: PO Box 94, Uitkyk Street Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
Telephone: +27 (0)21 876 2493 | +27 (0)21 876 3384
Email: info@dieudonnevineyards.com
Visit the Grande Provence Estate
The Grande Provence Estate is a must-visit for any tourist in Franschhoek. Known as one of the best restaurants in South Africa, this establishment offers French cuisine supplemented with a contemporary interpretation.
There are also plenty of other things to do, such as admiring the artworks made by emerging South African artists in The Gallery and buying African artifacts in The Shop.
Address: Main Road, Franschhoek 7690, Western Cape, South Africa
Website: https://www.grandeprovence.co.za/
Experience the Boschendal Wine Estate
The Boschendal Wine Farm is a chance to experience the beautiful landscape of this province. While the tourists absorb the scenery’s fresh atmosphere, they get to witness this farm’s functions such as wine-making and plucking out vegetables, which are used as food for the restaurant.
Since the farm is a large area, it offers horseback riding and biking to explore.
Email: enquiries@boschendal.co.za
Telephone: 021 870 4200
Website: Boschendal.com
Hike the La Motte Wine Estate
Given the province’s beautiful landscape, it’s normal for tourists to challenge themselves by hiking, which the La Motte Wine Estate offers.
This wine estate has a 5-kilometer hiking trail where tourists can witness the garden, birdlife, vineyard, mammals, reptiles, and landscape.
Tourists are advised to hike on Monday mornings so that they will be accompanied by a tour guide.
Address: R45, Franschhoek, 7691, South Africa
Phone: +27 21 876 8000
Website: www.la-motte.com
Get to know the farmers at Solms-Delta Wine Estate.
The Solms-Delta Wine Estate provides a unique experience of understanding a vital part of wine-making: the farmers. The estate is dedicated to celebrating farmers’ history and their contributions, presented by farmer tour guides.
They also have a museum that exposes the history of oppression that farmers faced.
Ride the Franschhoek Wine Tram
Given that Franschhoek has plenty of wine estates visiting a lot of these may be unrealistic for some. In that case, look to ride the Franschhoek Wine Tram to take you to several wine estates in the area.
In fact, tourists have the option to avail of a Hop-On Hop-Off Experience where you can participate in the vineyards’ activities or a Curated Wine Experience, which focuses on premium tastings and tours.
Experience Making Chocolate in the Huguenot Chocolate Factory
Chocolate is an undying dessert that no man can resist. The Huguenot Fine Chocolates Factory provides a platform for tourists to learn the process of making chocolates.
In fact, the finished products are made from the best imported Belgian chocolate.
And of course, there will be chocolate-tasting sessions, and they will be given free treats as well.
Address: 62 Huguenot Rd, Franschhoek, 7690
Telephone: 0218764096
Website: www.huguenotchocolates.com
Take a stroll in the Babylonstoren Garden.
The Babylonstreen Garden is a chance to completely immerse yourself in nature. There are plenty of things to see, such as the 15 garden clusters and 300 varieties of plants.
Experienced gardeners will accompany you during the trip so that visitors will be guided properly in touching and smelling the plants. This is also a perfect place to take pictures given the beautiful landscaping.
Telephone: +27 (0)21 863 3852
Email: enquiries@babylonstoren.com
Website: babylonstoren.com
Explore the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve
As part of the UNESCO Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve, Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve presents another opportunity to enjoy this province’s landscape. The reserve contains 5,000 rare varieties of plants that you will encounter during this hike.
Also, you get to witness the presence of other breathtaking sights such as the Franschhoek Valley, Lion’s Head, and Table Mountain.
Do Outdoor Activities at La Ferme
La Ferme Vive La Vie offers various activities for people who prefer to spend their day outside. This is mostly known as a fly-fishing park with four fishing dams where tourists can catch a bass, carp, and rainbow trout.
You can also go hiking and mountain biking provided that you secure a permit. For casual travelers, there are art galleries and souvenir shops you can visit.
Learn from the Huguenot Memorial Museum
The Huguenot Memorial Museum is a glimpse into French Huguenots’ lives during their stay in the Cape and Franschhoek valley.
The museum features authentic artifacts such as silverware, furniture, and documents that narrate the Huguenots’ lifestyles.
Also, some gardens complement the scenery where you can relax and take pictures.
Tour the Franschhoek Motor Museum
Another must-see attraction that all modern people can relate to is the automobiles in the Franschhoek Motor Museum.
The museum has 80 exhibits that show 220 vehicles, such as the 1898 Beeston motor tricycle, 2003 Ferrari Enzo supercar, and Mercedes-Benz W21.
In fact, these vehicles are regularly driven for the sake of keeping them in working condition.
Franschhoek Travel and Tour Packages
To help you plan out your visit to Franschhoek, we listed places to visit and other amazing Franschhoek, South Africa. We also listed some of the best travel deals and tour packages and excellent flight deals and accommodation.
Searching for the best hotels, resorts, and affordable flights in the nearby Cities? Check out our list of affordable Franschhoek hotels and resorts via Agoda, Booking, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
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