12 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN FRANSCHHOEK, SOUTH AFRICA
- Last Updated: 16 November 2025
- Africa, Destinations, South Africa, Wine Lands South Africa
Franschhoek is one of the most charming wine towns in South Africa. A small valley framed by mountains, vineyards, and French heritage. It feels peaceful and refined, with a sense of slow luxury that makes you want to stay longer than planned.
Most people visit for the wine, but the village is much more than tastings. Franschhoek – French Corner in Afrikaans – has a creative energy, boutique hotels, scenic views and some of the best food in the country.
Whether you come for a day or a long weekend, this valley is easy to enjoy. Here are 12 awesome things to do in Franschhoek, to make the most of your trip.
If you are planning a South Africa road trip with Franschhoek on your list, check my complete South Africa Roadtrip Itinerary to see how to add it smoothly to your route.
In This Guide:
1 – EXPLORE FRANSCHHOEK VILLAGE
Franschhoek’s village center is small, with a quiet charm that feels instantly welcoming.
The main Street, Huguenot Street, is lined with Cape Dutch buildings, with white facades glowing against the beautiful surrounding mountains. You will find cafés, boutiques, galleries, and wine shops all within a few minutes walk. Don’t stay on the main road only: some of the nicest spots hide in courtyards and small alleys, where local designers, ceramics, and small cafés appear with no warning.
Franschhoek village is fully walkable, and exploring it on foot is the best wyay to enjoy it. You will love the freedom to stop anywhere you wish, without thinking about parking or the car. Among these 12 awesome things to do in Franschhoek, exploring by foot is one of my favorites.
2 – GO WINE TASTING AT THE BEST VINEYARDS
Wine tasting is the classic Franschhoek experience, and it truly lives up to the hype. The valley’s winemaking history goes back to the late 1600s, when French Huguenots settled here and brought their grape-growing traditions. That French influence is still visible today – not only in the names of the estates, but in the way wine and food come together.
Most vineyards offer more than a simple tasting. You can wander through the gardens, browse small art collections, or enjoy long lunches with mountain views. Some estates even propose creative pairings – wine with chocolate, oysters, or sorbet – each designed to highlight new flavours.
If you want to start with the classics, try La Motte, Boschendal, or La Bri. La Bri is intimate but not too small, with indoor and outdoor seating. It’s a lovely option for a relaxed afternoon. Boschendal is on another level – picnics under the trees, a farm shop, gardens, live music, and many corners to explore. As for La Motte, it’s one of the most historic estates in the area, known for its elegant tasting room.
Each estate has its own atmosphere, its own signature wines, and its own views. Enjoying one (or plenty!°) is definitely one cool thing to do in Franschhoek.
3 – GO HIKING IN MONT ROCHELLE NATURE RESERVE
If you want a break from wine tasting, Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve is the perfect escape. The reserve sits high above the valley, with trails that open onto wide mountain views and quiet landscapes. The hikes are well marked, and you can choose anything from a short walk to a longer half-day loop.
The air is cooler up there, and the scenery changes fast – rocky paths, and those dramatic peaks Franschhoek is known for. It’s a simple activity, but one of the most rewarding ways to see the valley from a different angle. Go early for the best light and fewer people.
4 – SHOP LOCAL – WITH A GLASS OF WINE
Franschhoek takes shopping to another level. Many boutiques highlight handmade pieces from South Africa and African designers – clothing, ceramics, home decor, jewellery, or small art prints. And because this is Franschhoek, some shops even offer a glass of wine while you browse. A brilliant idea, if you ask me. It’s relaxed, creative, and very “wine valley” in the best way.
My favorite place to shop (and sip) is The Lamu Collection. They curate very good quality clothing in silk and cotton, plus a small selection of bags, art, and jewellery. It’s the kind of boutique where everything feels thoughtful – perfect for a quiet hour of shopping with a glass of wine in hand.
Another shop that stole my heart (and my money!) is Easy Tyger. It catches your eye from the street with colourful couture, but the real charm is inside. It feels a bit like curated thrifting, with pieces from everywhere. You can spend hours there, looking for the perfect fit and chatting with the team – they are warm, stylish, and genuinely fun to talk to.
Travel Serial Shopper Side Note
As a fashion lover, I loved wandering in and out of the courtyards. Many of the most interesting stores are hidden behind the main road. I enjoyed finding slow-made textiles, neutral fabrics, local design brands, and pieces I won't see anywhere else in South Africa.
I always put Franschhoek at the beginning of my South Africa itineraries - and trust me, my suitcase fills up fast. Between the shopping (and the wine, of course), there's usually not much room left for the rest of the trip.
5 – ENJOY THE FRANSCHHOEK VILLAGE MARKET
The Franschhoek Village Market is one of the best ways to experience the town’s local spirit. It runs every Saturday from the morning until mid-afternoon, and there is a pop-up version on the first Sunday of each month. It’s small, lively, and very Franschhoek – food stalls, handmade goods, a friendly crowd that feels more like a community gathering than a tourist stop.
You will find everything from fresh bread and homemade treats to local art, jewellery, and clothing. It’s relaxed and easy, with live music usually playing in the background. It’s a simple activity, but it captures the heart of the village better than anything else.
I recommend visiting the market while exploring Franschhoek on foot, as it’s also located on Huguenot Street.
6 – RIDE THE FRANSCHHOEK WINE TRAM
The Franschhoek Wine Tram is the easiest (and most iconic!) way to explore the valley’s wineries without driving. It runs on a hop-on hop-off system, combining a vintage open-air tram with shuttle buses to reach estates that aren’t connected by rail.
You can choose between five lines – blue, orange, pink, red, and navy – each stopping at different wine estates. Every line includes between seven and nine stops, which makes it easy to pick the atmosphere you prefer. The blue and orange lines are the most popular, as they mix iconic estates, gardens, and scenic viewpoints.
The blue, pink, and red lines depart from the Franschhoek terminal (the most popular one), while the orange and navy lines depart from the Groot Drakenstein terminal. The tours begin and end at the same terminals. From there, you simply follow the timetable, hop off where you want, enjoy a tasting, and hop back on the next tram. It’s smooth, scenic, and perfect if you don’t have a car – or if you simply want to taste freely without thinking about driving.
To be fair, the Franschhoek Wine Tram is a very popular and definitely touristy. But it is also a Franschhoek classic. Even doing just a few stops is worth it. The experience is perfectly doable solo (as I did!); but it is also the kind of activity that’s even more fun with company.
If you are visiting during summer, aim to start with the first departure of the day. The estates are quieter, the light is softer for photos, and you avoid the midday queues. Also: don’t try to visit every stop on your line – pick three or four wineries maximum and enjoy them properly. Slow tasting is always better than rushed tasting.
7 – VISIT AN ALPACA FARM
I am listing this as number 7, but if this article had a real ranking, it would proudly sit at number 1. Visiting an alpaca farm was the unexpected highlight of my first trip to Franschhoek. I mean… who knew there were alpacas here? And even better – that you can pet them, feed them, and drink a cappuccino next to them?
I visited the Alpaca Loom Café, technically in Paarl but only a twenty-minute drive from Franschhoek. The farm is small, friendly, and surprisingly educational. You can learn how their wool is woven – and even watch the team work live in the weaving studio – pick your favorite alpaca (trust me, you will); and enjoy a drink with a perfect view of the surrounding mountains.
It’s funny, and totally unexpected – the kind of experience that stays with you long after the trip. It definitely was the cutest moment of my stay. Definitely a wholesome activity to add to your list of things to do in Franschhoek.
Did You Know?
We usually associate alpacas with Peru or the Andes, but South Africa actually has a growing alpaca industry. The first alpacas were introduced in the early 2000s, and local farms quickly realized how well they adapt to the climate. Today, several farms in the Western Cape breed them for their soft fibre, which is spun and woven locally into scarves, blankets, and textiles. So no - you're not hallucinating. Seeing alpacas in South Africa is absolutely a thing.
8 – VISIT NEARBY STELLENBOSCH OR PAARL
The Cape Winelands are dotted with small towns, vineyards, and mountain views, and Franschhoek sits right in the middle of it all. Two of the most beautiful towns nearby – Stellenbosch and Paarl – are close enough for an easy day or half-day trip, each with its own personality.
Stellenbosch is a lively university town with historic wineries, and a relaxed student vibe. I spent a few hours at Tokara Wine Estate and was honestly blown away – the wine, the cheese pairing, the architecture, and those panoramic views. You can even walk through the vineyards of the estate, and the scenery is stunning from every angle.
If you have more time, combine a quick stop in town with a tasting or lunch at one of the wineries along the route. It’s an easy, scenic outing and a great way to experience a different side of the Cape Winelands.
Paarl is quieter, more spread out, with rolling hills – and yes, even alpacas. If you have time, visit the Afrikaans Taal Monument, a striking concrete sculpture on a hilltop that celebrates the origins of the Afrikaans language. The views from the top are incredible. You can enjoy a lovely breakfast at the nearby coffee shop.
9 – EXPLORE BABYLONSTOREN
Some wine estates in the Cape Winelands are also real working farms, and Babylonstoren is the most iconic example. It’s a huge estate a 30-minute drive from Franschhoek, and it has everything: vineyards, restaurants, greenhouses, fruit and vegetable gardens, incredible vegetation, a spa, a farm shop, and even a boutique hotel for the full experience.
The gardens are incredible and probably the main reason people visit. You can wander through orchards, vegetable beds, and herb sections, explore the greenhouse, or join the daily garden tour if you are into landscape design. It is an easy place to spend several hours just walking, tasting, shopping, and relaxing.
There is a large parking area, great restaurants, a farm-to-table café, and curated shops selling local produce and artisanal goods. For a day visit, the entrance fee is R 150 (around $9 at the time of writing); and it’s worth every bit.
If you are road-tripping between Franschhoek and Cape Town, Babylonstoren is the perfect stop. It’s much closer to Franschhoek, but it’s literally on the way – convenient, scenic, and a great break from driving. Just make sure to give yourself enough time, because the estate is huge and there is a lot to see.
10 – TREAT YOURSELF TO AMAZING FOOD
Franschhoek is a real haven for food lovers. The village mixes creative cuisine with a relaxed wine-country atmosphere, making every meal feel special without being formal. You will find tasting menus, farm-to-table kitchens, casual cafés, and beautiful restaurants on wine estates – all within a short drive of each other.
Make sure to book ahead if you have your eye on places like La Petite Colombe, French Connection, or any restaurant on Huguenot Street.
11 – VISIT A LOCAL MUSEUM OR ART GALLERY
Franschhoek is mostly known for wine, but the village has a small cultural side too. The Huguenot Memorial Museum offers a look into the history of the French settlers who shaped the valley, and several galleries showcase South African contemporary artists.
If you want something a bit different, stop by The Gallery at Grande Provence. It’s part of a wine estate and features rotating exhibitions.
12 – STAY IN A BOUTIQUE HOTEL OR WINE ESTATE
Choosing where to sleep in Franschhoek is a pleasure in itself – every place comes with its own little world. Boutique hotel, cottage, villa, farm stay, or romantic guesthouse… the valley has a wide range of beautiful options.
Enjoying a stay somewhere beautiful in the valley is one amazing thing to do in Franschhoek and definitely part of experiencing the village itself.
Every time I visit Franschhoek, I try to make a stop at L’Auberge Chanteclair. This place completely stole my heart. It’s surrounded by vineyards, framed by mountain views, and the atmosphere is warm and calm. And the breakfasts are unforgettable. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
If you can, plan at least one slow morning at your accommodation. Soft light, quiet vineyards, and the valley waking up around you… all this while enjoying a long breakfast. It’s one of the simplest ways to make your trip feel luxurious and an amazing thing to do, while visiting Franschhoek.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT FRANSCHHOEK
HOW TO GET TO FRANSCHHOEK
Renting a car is the easiest and fastest way to travel around South Africa. Having your own car will give you total freedom, especially in the Winelands where estates are spread out. If you are driving from Cape Town, the journey to Franschhoek takes about one hour.
Make sure to check my Essential Driving Tips in South Africa before hitting the road.
If you don’t want to drive, you can take a shuttle or a private transfer, but it’s less flexible and usually more expensive. Public transport is not the best option in this region. A car simply makes everything smoother.
When experiencing wine estates, make sure not to drink and drive. Uber works well in Franschhoek, and there is also a tuk-tuk service.
SAFETY IN FRANSCHHOEK
Franschhoek is generally one of the safest places in the Cape Winelands. The village is small, calm, and very used to tourism. You can walk around the center during the day without any issue, and the wine estates feel extremely safe.
That said, normal travel precautions apply. Don’t leave valuables visible in your car, and avoid walking late at night outside the village center.
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