Franschhoek is one of the jewels of the Cape Winelands. The whitewashed walls of the town’s Cape Dutch buildings shine against the green of the surrounding mountains, while shady streets are lined with cafés and wine stores. It would be easy to while away your time in Franschhoek with long days of wine tasting at the surrounding estates and vineyards, but other things to do include hiking the trails surrounding the Berg River Dam or taking in a movie at the charming Franschhoek Theatre, where the ticket price includes a glass of wine.
Skip the crowds and heat of the summer months and visit Franschhoek in May–June or September; just skip the rainy months of July and August. These months are the off-season in Franschhoek, so hotels and flights cost less. The town is ideal for a weekend getaway if you’re already in Cape Town or as a stop on longer tours of the Cape Winelands.
Franschhoek is an hour away from Cape Town by car. You can also travel between the town and neighboring wine estates of Stellenbosch and Klapmuts via the convenient (and fun) Franschhoek Wine Tram. While it’s handy to have your own car in the region, you can get around the town on foot. Plus, you’ll find plenty of guided tours so that no one has to miss out on wine tasting by being the designated driver.
When in Franschhoek, spend a lazy day at the Berg River Dam; pack a picnic with goodies picked up at the Village Biltong & Deli or the Hoek Espresso Bar. Hiking trails wind around the dam and you can take a dip at the end of your stroll to cool down. Just be sure to pack a hat and plenty of sunscreen, as there’s not much shade along the way.
