Franschhoek Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Franschhoek featuring landscape views, mountains and a sunset
The “French Corner” of South Africa’s Cape Winelands is famous for its bodegas and restaurants, art galleries, nature walks and stunning scenery.

Surrounded by mountains and green valleys, Franschhoek (meaning “French Corner”) is the gourmet heartland of South Africa. French Huguenots settled here in the 1680s and brought with them centuries of food and wine traditions. Just a one-hour drive from Cape Town, Franschhoek is a place to enjoy award-winning cuisine in the shadows of picturesque scenery.

Franschhoek’s leafy streets are pleasant to explore on foot and are lined with art galleries, antique shops and museums. View works by contemporary African artists at the Holden Manz Collection. Learn about the history of the French Huguenot settlers at the Huguenot Memorial Museum. Watch chocolate-making demonstrations and sample Belgian chocolate at Huguenot Fine Chocolates.

Visit one of the wine estates of the Franschhoek Valley to enjoy wine tastings and cellar tours, picnics and leisurely walks. Step aboard the hop-on hop-off Franschhoek Wine Tram, which passes rolling vineyards and stops off at some of the country’s oldest bodegas. Among these is the Haute Cabrière winery, which dates back to 1694. Rent a bike and take a self-guided tour of the bodegas.

Franschhoek takes its culinary scene seriously and has more award-winning restaurants than anywhere else in the country. Join a tour of the Franschhoek Valley Food and Wine Route for olive oil and cheese tastings, cooking demonstrations and food and wine pairings. Food and wine culture is also celebrated at numerous cultural events, such as July’s Bastille Festival and the Cap Classique and Champagne Festival.

For the energetic there are many hiking trails in the surrounding mountains and valley. Go to Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve for panoramic views of the Cape Winelands. On a clear day you can see as far as Table Mountain. Make the short drive to Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve for more walking trails and the chance to spot over 100 bird species.

Play a round of golf at nearby Pearl Valley, a course designed by world-famous golfer Jack Nicklaus.

Rent a car and drive to Franschhoek from Cape Town. Once there you can go without your car and get around on foot or as part of a tour.

Where to stay in Franschhoek

Paarl

Simondium

Simondium is noteworthy for its gardens, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Vrede en Lust Estate and Babylonstoren.

Simondium
Default Image

Pniel

While Pniel may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Boschendal and Zorgvliet Estate.

Pniel
Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek
Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek
4 out of 5
33/34 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek, Western Cape
The price is ₹9,598 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
₹9,598
per night
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Franschhoek. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Popular attractions Dutch Reformed Church and Franschhoek ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (262 reviews)
Happy holiday in Franschhoek.
"Friendly, efficient staff, lovely room, excellent location in beautiful Franschhoek, excellent food. Hussars Restaurant has a wide menu and everything we were served was delicious. Great wine range, fair prices and jammed with happy customers, a great vibe."

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2024

Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek
Boschendal Farm Estate
Boschendal Farm Estate
4.5 out of 5
Pniel Road, Groot Drakenstein, Franschhoek, Western Cape
The price is ₹27,415 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
₹27,415
per night
29 Apr - 30 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Franschhoek. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (95 reviews)
5 star in the wine region
"We spent our last night in Boschendal in a werf suite. We were very impressed, it probably had the best bed on our trip. The cottage was well decorated and very well equipped. The staff were friendly and the food at the Werf restaurant was great. I would recommend."

Reviewed on 13 Feb 2024

Boschendal Farm Estate
Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa by Dream Resorts
Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa by Dream Resorts
4 out of 5
Minor Road 16, Franschhoek, Western Cape
The price is ₹11,152 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
₹11,152
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Franschhoek. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Huguenot Monument and Mont Rochelle Wine ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (143 reviews)
Quaint stay in the wine country…
"Beautiful property. Gardens were the best feature. Needs some updating. Loved the staff. Good food. Tennis court and jacuzzi needed updating. No yoga or pilates classes. Load shedding is real, interruption of power. Bring electrical adapters"

Reviewed on 5 Feb 2024

Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa by Dream Resorts
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
1AA Wilhelminia Apartments
1AA Wilhelminia Apartments
3 out of 5
1 Wilhelmina Street, Franschhoek, Western Cape
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Franschhoek. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Huguenot Memorial Museum and Franschhoek ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (37 reviews)
PERFECT GETAWAY
"We chose the Champagne Apartment and it was perfect for our needs. Plenty of room, everything you could possibly need and well considered amenities. Lynn and Mick were very kind hosts inviting us for Happy Hour drinks after a well needed swim in the pool on a very hot day. It was a very short walk ..."

Reviewed on 14 Feb 2024

1AA Wilhelminia Apartments
The Ivy Apartments
The Ivy Apartments
4 out of 5
1 Kruger Street, Franschhoek, Western Cape
Stay at this 4-star luxury apartment in Franschhoek. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a health club. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (148 reviews)
"Recently returned from a 3 night stay at these apartments and we had a great stay in apartment 6. It was modern, clean and bang in the centre of Franschhoek town. The check in was the quickest ever and room was ready for us despite arriving early. The facilities were great and bed comfy - didn’t ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jan 2024

The Ivy Apartments
Aloe Corner Franschhoek
Aloe Corner Franschhoek
3.5 out of 5
21 Cabriere St, Franschhoek, Western Cape
Stay at this 3.5-star holiday home in Franschhoek. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Sénéchal-Senekal Art Gallery and Franschhoek ...
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
Good location
"Great location ,all walkable into Franschhoek. Lots of space with quirky but good facilities. Plunge pool in pleasant garden and good brai. Car parking on street."

Reviewed on 6 Nov 2023

Aloe Corner Franschhoek
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Franschhoek

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
47
" "5 - Excellent 83.92857142857143%
4 - Good
8
" "4 - Good 14.285714285714286%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 1.7857142857142858%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
30 Jan 2020

Must see visit if you are in and around the winelands .

5/5 - Excellent

Rachel
25 Dec 2019

Awesome place, lovely to be able to visit wine farms and have tastings with cheese platters. Great food and wine.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
4 Nov 2019

You must do the Wine Tram

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
26 Oct 2019

Highly recommend Roca restaurant - 15 mins walk up the hill (for those who are less inclined for a bit of robust exercise prior to dinner it’s a 2 mins taxi ride)

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
27 Sep 2019

Just absolutely love Franschhoek, cannot visit Cape Town without a visit here

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
22 Mar 2019

A great place to spend time surrounded by gorgeous nature, fantastic wines and fine dining.

Cities near Franschhoek