Winelands
Travellers rave about the tutored tastings of olives, balsamic vinegar and olive oil offered at this family-run farm with jaw-dropping views of the…
Must-see attractions in Western Cape
Knysna
The Featherbed Nature Reserve was completely devastated by wildfires in 2017. Tourism authorities were working to get the reserve up and running again…
Winelands
Taste the world-class bubblies in a striking modern building with huge plate-glass windows. The winery comes as a breath of fresh air after all those Cape…
Hermanus
This picturesque winery is best known for its superlative pinot noir. As well as wine tasting, there are gentle walks through fynbos vegetation on the…
Western Cape
A worthy stop on the Elgin wine route, offering fine wine, a pleasant country-style restaurant and mountain-bike trails (permits R80).
Winelands
Sip superlative reds while admiring the contemporary art that lines the walls of this smart cellar 6km north of town.
Knysna
There are lovely forest picnic spots, short walks through the forest and an 800m-long wheelchair-friendly path.
Hermanus
Offers tastings and lunch (mains R120 to R185) in its ubermodern winery decked out in hot pink and glass.
Winelands
The three giant granite domes that dominate this reserve glisten like pearls when washed by rain – hence the name ‘Paarl’. The reserve has mountain fynbos…
Western Cape
Some 6km south of Swellendam is this national park, proclaimed in 1931 to save the remaining 30 bontebok. The project was successful, and bontebok as well…
Stellenbosch
At the north end of the Braak, an open stretch of grass, you’ll find the neo-Gothic St Mary’s on the Braak Church, completed in 1852. West of the church…
Winelands
The somewhat phallic Taal Monument is in the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve. The giant, needle-like edifice commemorates the language (taal is Afrikaans…
Franschhoek
The tasting room at this small winery is in a converted blacksmith’s; there’s also a range of grappa to sample. Game drives to see wildebeest, zebras and…
Franschhoek
This museum celebrates South Africa’s Huguenots and houses the genealogical records of their descendants. Behind the main complex is a pleasant cafe, in…
Hermanus
The harbour clings to the cliffs in front of the town centre and is the hub of Hermanus. You'll find three museums here: the Old Harbour Museum, Whale…
Stellenbosch
This rustic, 300-year-old estate with several fine Cape Dutch buildings is known for its excellent red wines, particularly its cabernet sauvignon and…
Stellenbosch
Hannes Myburgh is the eighth generation of his family to have run this historic wine estate since 1756. Most famous for its Rubicon claret, it's a much…
Winelands
Paarl is considered the wellspring of the Afrikaans language, a fact covered by this interesting museum. It also shows, thanks to a multimedia exhibition,…
Winelands
This museum made up of four buildings is worth a pause. Start at No 4, which has a photographic history of Church St, covering the earthquake and…
Knysna
Millwood House is a mini complex of museums detailing Knysna’s history. It’s a quaint set of buildings dating back to the town’s booming timber era. This…
Western Cape
Birkenhead is one of the country's oldest microbreweries and one of its most scenic, with a lovely view of the Klein River Mountains. Sip your way through…
Winelands
Ceres was once a famous centre for making horse-drawn vehicles. Consequently, the museum has an interesting collection of original wagons and carriages…
Western Cape
Located on the site of an early-20th-century whaling station, Stony Point is a much quieter place to watch the diminutive African penguins than at the…
Knysna
Reached by a turn-off along the N2 10km east of Knysna, Noetzie is a quirky little place with holiday homes in mock-castle style. There’s a lovely surf…
Western Cape
Dating from 1895, the lighthouse is set in pretty grounds and has some information on the 1852 HMS Birkenhead shipwreck. It's best to call in advance as…
Western Cape
It's not often you find a wine estate slap bang in the middle of town, but SoetKaroo is quite possibly the smallest wine estate in the country. The…
Knysna
Since this region has plenty of wet weather, a rainy-day option is welcome. The main museum is a pleasant complex in a mid-19th century building that was…
Winelands
This tiny cellar is the epitome of the garagiste (garage) winery. Set back from the main road in the centre of town, there are just two tables – one…
Hermanus
There's lots of info on whales, including daily audiovisual shows. The admission fee is included in the ticket for the Old Harbour Museum and the…
Stellenbosch
A small nature reserve at the foot of the Helderberg mountains. There are several short day trails and you're likely to see tortoises, bonteboks and…
Winelands
Housed in the Oude Pastorie (Old Parsonage), built in 1714, this museum has an interesting collection of Cape Dutch antiques and relics of Huguenot and…
Western Cape
Part of the Drostdy Museum, you’ll find part of the original administrative buildings and a watermill here. Entrance included in the museum's ticket price…
Huguenot Memorial Museum Annexe
Franschhoek
Part of the Huguenot Memorial Museum, this annexe offers displays on the Anglo-Boer War and natural history. Admission to the annexe is covered by a…
Western Cape
This residence, dating back to 1853, has a formal Victorian garden. It is part of the Drostdy Museum, and entrance is included with the museum ticket…
Stellenbosch
This delightful museum features a remarkable collection of detailed toys ranging from railway sets to dollhouses. The highlight for kids is probably the…
Garden Route
There are wonderful views from the lighthouse, but call ahead to ensure it's open as the hours aren't always observed. There are plans to open a coffee…
Western Cape
Genadendal’s fascinating history is documented in the Mission Museum, situated in what was South Africa’s first teacher-training college.
Stellenbosch
The neo-Gothic St Mary’s on the Braak Church, completed in 1852, sits at the north end of the Braak, an open stretch of grass.
Winelands
One of the pioneers of boutique distilling in South Africa, Roger Jorgensen – 'the Still Man' – produces handmade gin, brandy, vodka, limoncello and…
