The 'French Corner' of the Winelands, settled by Huguenots and now the country's gourmet capital. One main street of restaurants and tasting rooms in a mountain-ringed valley, and the home of the Wine Tram.
Franschhoek is the prettiest and most upmarket corner of the Winelands, an hour east of Cape Town in a valley closed in by mountains. Its name means ‘French Corner’, after the Huguenots who settled here in 1688, fleeing persecution in France and bringing the vines and the cooking that the place is still known for. Three centuries on, it’s South Africa’s gourmet capital.
Almost everything is on one main street. Restaurants, galleries and tasting rooms line it end to end, with the Huguenot Monument and its museum standing at the top, and the mountains rising behind. The food is the draw as much as the wine: some of the country’s best restaurants are here, and a table at one of them is worth planning a day or an evening around.
The signature way to taste is the Franschhoek Wine Tram, a hop-on hop-off tram and tram-bus that loops between the estates so nobody has to drive. Pick a line, set your own pace, and book ahead in season. Above the town, the Franschhoek Pass and the Mont Rochelle reserve give you the valley from above when you need a break from the cellars. Franschhoek is smaller and pricier than Stellenbosch, and made for a slow couple of nights rather than a quick stop.
The Wine Tram, the table and the main street, in a valley ringed by mountains.
The Franschhoek Wine Tram is the region's signature day out. A hop-on hop-off tram and tram-bus loops between the estates around the valley, so you taste, eat and ride from farm to farm without anyone having to drive. Pick a coloured line, set your own pace, and book ahead in season.
The single main street is lined with restaurants, galleries and tasting rooms, and Franschhoek is South Africa's gourmet capital, so book a table at one of its best. At the top of the road, the Huguenot Monument and museum tell the French settler story, with Mont Rochelle and the Franschhoek Pass above for views.
The hop-on hop-off tram is the easy, car-free way to taste the valley. Pick a line, check the timetable, and book ahead in summer and at weekends.
Franschhoek is the country's gourmet capital and the best tables fill up. Reserve ahead and build a day or an evening around one.
The rule everywhere in the Winelands. The Wine Tram or a hired driver means no one has to stay sober at the wheel.
The galleries, tasting rooms and the Huguenot Monument at the top are all on one walkable street, a good way to fill the time between tram stops.
The Franschhoek Pass and the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve above town give you the valley from above, a fine break from the cellars.
Franschhoek is smaller and pricier than Stellenbosch, and made for a slow couple of nights. Stay in Stellenbosch instead if you want livelier and cheaper.
Book the Wine Tram and the valley through our trusted partners, at the same price as booking direct.
The hop-on hop-off tram and tram-bus between the valley estates, tasting and eating your way round with no need to drive.
Book on GetYourGuide →A guided walk through Franschhoek's food and tasting rooms, pairing local bites with the valley's wines.
See food tours →A guided walk in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve above town, for the valley views and a break from the cellars.
See hikes →Boutique hotels and guesthouses on and around the main street, walking distance from the Wine Tram.
Find a stay →We may earn a commission when you book through our partner links — at no extra cost to you.
Franschhoek is the gourmet heart of the Winelands. See the rest of what the wine country holds.
