Location: Paarl
Top Things to do in Paarl
10 Free Things to do in Paarl That You Shouldn't Miss
Sipping your way across the Paarl Wine Route is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience this South African town. Besides being part of the Cape Winelands region, Paarl is the place where the Afrikaans language was developed, a linguistic feat that’s commemorated by a dramatic monument. Cheer on your favorite pony at the Polo Club or hit the links at one of the area’s many beautiful golf courses.
Restaurants in Paarl
1. Dalewood Fromage
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By Verototoo - Cape Town, South Africa
When we took the turn off to enter in Dalewood fromages, we have been blocked by a trafic jam made of cows... What a nice feeliong to experience that... I was the prefect introduction to discover this little "fromagerie" in the winelands... We had a wal around the farm and interacted freely with the calves... very affectionnate and looking for attention... The cheese shop is full of different products, from cheeses to preserves and cuting boards... A nice stop on the way to Franschhoek
2. Groot Drakenstein Prison (Victor Verster Prison)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Home to Nelson Mandela for the last fourteen months of his long political imprisonment, this surprisingly idyllic minimum security prison is now a registered historic site.
3. Nederburg Wines
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 225 reviews
With a proud history dating back to 1791, the Nederburg winery, set against the imposing Drakenstein Mountains near Paarl, is dynamic, forward-thinking and progressive. A famous South African heritage wine brand, Nederburg is a leading example of the country’s wine excellence and innovation. Nederburg creates hand-crafted micro-cuvées for specialist wine lovers and beautifully balanced and accessible wines for everyday enjoyment, with equal commitment. They offer an exciting taste discovery. When the farm claims a reputation of wine excellence, it's no empty boast. Its recipe? Impeccable quality credentials, an ongoing award-winning track record, and a talented team led by cellar-master Lizelle Gerber, that strongly focuses on continually exploring ways to better their best efforts.
Reviewed By Dleewin - Cape Town, South Africa
My family and I enjoyed the most amazing lunch at The Manor Restaurant. We had the perfect table on the balcony, with the most beautiful views. The food was excellent and we all enjoyed delicious steak, burgers, and a charcuterie platter. We ended off with a really enjoyable wine and hot chocolate tasting. Our waiter took such good care of us - felt as if we were VIPS! One of the best wine farm and restaurant experiences we have enjoyed in Cape Town as a family. Highly recommended!
4. Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 202 reviews
Reviewed By emarieb_13 - Paarl, South Africa
A must do over the weekend No excuses. You can visit this by car, on foot, with a bicycle. Alone or with friends. And the experience will be divine. You and nature, nothing else. Just come... Enjoy the picturesque landscape of fynbos vegetation dominated by massive rounded granite rock formations set among wild olives, rock candlewoods and wagon trees. Take a vigorous hike, or climb Bretagne Rock, follow one of the many hiking trails, visit Mill water Wild Flower Garden where numerous species of Proteas may be viewed, catch a bass at Nantes dam or enjoy mountain biking, picnics and panoramic views of the Drakenstein valley. Entry fees Entry is R30 per occupant in a vehicle payable at the reserve’s main gate. Entry is free during the week. Buy your map with the mountain’s MTB and hiking routes at the Paarl Visitors Information Centre at R50. Directions As you enter Paarl Main Road via the N1 from CT, take a left at the off-ramp. Follow Paarl Main Road, go straight over the first robot and then left at the first road on your left hand side (Jan Phillips Mountain Drive). Follow this road for approximately 6kms until you get to the Meulwater day braai & picnic site. Alternatively, follow the road leading up to the Afrikaans Language Monument (Gabbema Doordrif Road) and take the dirt road turning off to the right (Jan Phillips Mountain Drive) leading past the Amphi theatre, until you reach the Meulwater day braai & picnic site picnic area. GPS Co-ordinates: Lat: -33° 45′ 27.594″ Long: 18° 56′ 50.3658″ Facility hours Summer: 07:00 – 19:00 (1 Oct – 31 March) Winter: 07:00 – 18:00 (1 April – 30 Sept) Note: No entry is allowed 1 hour before closure times. Important information Remember, there are no shops on the reserve, so bring along your own fire wood, grid and supplies. Strictly no dogs or music is allowed in the reserve and day camps. No horse riding facilities available. Only licensed vehicles, no off-road motorbikes and/or quad bikes allowed. No larger than 22 seated busses are allowed. There are no swimming facilities on the reserve. Please help us keep the mountain clean by using available refuge bins. This is a high fire risk area – STRICTLY NO FIRES in areas other than demarcated braai/camp facilities. Report any fires immediately!
5. Red Hot Glass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Hand blown glass studio and gallery, where you can watch the actual process of blowing glass.
Reviewed By PhilG874 - Leyland, United Kingdom
This was my second visit to Red Hot Glass, always amazed at the quality of the work they produce and have on display. Just wish I could buy more ans get it back here to the UK in one piece ! Their smaller pieces are not expensive and worth buying.
6. Plaisir de Merle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
in keeping with its long-standing tradition of "classic elegance", one of the Cape's best known wine estates is taking a novel approach when it comes to tasting exclusive wines in an exclusive venue. Come and enjoy the magnificent views and savour the best that Plaisir de Merle wines have to offer. Plaisir de Merle is a popular venue for private functions, weddings, conferences and exclusive "villa stays" in the historic Manor House.
Reviewed By melaniedI8301KF - Cape Town Central, South Africa
This farm offers Friendly staff and relaxing atmosphere. Kids are welcome and you can bring picnic blanket to relax on the beautiful lawns. They don't have a restaurant but their Cheese and Meat platters are to die for. The wines very fruity and nice. Will definitely go again.
7. Spice Route Destination
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 681 reviews
Reviewed By kalgran
The Spice Route makes for a lovely day out with a range of restaurants, chocolate and gin tasting, glass and ceramic studios in a beautiful setting with an exceptional view. Well worth going for lunch filtered by a languid wander around.
8. Berg River Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By RudiBosbouer - Paarl, South Africa
Although humble in their exposure and advertising, Berg River Brewery's beers are crafted by one of the most experienced and accomplished brewers in the world. A wide variety are available on tap as well as per bottle and tastings are available. Outstanding beers are their award winning Bock beer (9.5% abv) and Helles Lager. And not far behind are their Indian Pale Ale and Weis beers. Definitely a place to go back to.
9. De Villiers Chocolate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By 661JanetG
This is one of our highlights when visiting the Spice Route, and an opportunity to taste a number of gorgeous chocolates in the DV range. It is also reasonably priced (R30) which helps when you have a large family.
10. Backsberg
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 97 reviews
A winery of over 100 years, Backsberg’s philosophy remains to provide enjoyment to a broad range of wine lovers by producing wines with not only structure and finesse, but also with a high level of drinkability. This philosophy exists under an overall umbrella of care – care for the land, the product, and the employee. Nestled on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain, equidistant between Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, Backsberg maintains 63 hectares under vine and produces a selection of tiered wine and brandy offerings.
Reviewed By Pash93
Backsberg is one of two vineyards near Paarl which offers kosher wine tasting. It has better opening hours than Zjandwik and we went on 30 December. It was bustling with tourists coming for tastings. The wines came two by two. We had all five kosher wines, although the last was a kiddush wine disguised as a dessert grape. The staff were friendly, and we came away with a case of chardonnay. There were also gardens to explore afterwards. Overall all kosher wines are good wines and we were grateful to backsberg for a lovely afternoon
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