Best Tourist Places to Visit in Franschhoek, South Africa, Africa

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Franschhoek, South Africa, Africa

Franschhoek is a town belonging to the Western Cape Province of South Africa, situated around 75 km east of Cape Town, one of the three capitals of South Africa, others being Bloemfontein and Pretoria. It is famous as the Republic of South Africa’s one of the oldest towns and its winsome sceneries that draws a substantial number of tourists year round. Franschhoek falls under the Stellenbosch Municipality, covering an area of 3.3 sq. km. Franschhoek geographically coordinates with 33°55′ S latitude and 19°08′ E longitude. The Huguenot Memorial and Museum and the Franschhoek Motor Museum are the two prime landmarks of Franschhoek.

History of Franschhoek:

The first settlement in Franschhoek dates back to 1688 by 176 French Huguenot refugees, to whose the land was given by the Dutch government during their colonial rule in South Africa. Franschhoek was called by the different names in its long history, including le Coin Français and Franschhoek.

How to get Franschhoek?

Franschhoek is served by the Cape Town International Airport, with flights from Mauritius, London, Singapore, Istanbul, Doha, Durban and Johannesburg. The airport is situated around 70 km east of Franschhoek.

Franschhoek is served by no trains, but it connects many western cities of the country, including Cape Town, by bus services.

Franschhoek Wine Tram-bus and Franschhoek Wine Tram are the popular options to explore the beauties of Franschhoek Valley.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Franschhoek:

Huguenot Memorial and Museum is the heart of Franschhoek’s culture, where visitors can get the cultural features of Franschhoek from its first settlement to modern days.

Handmade chocolates, antiques and handbags are some purchasable items in Franschhoek and some popular food items in Franschhoek are as follows:

Le Bon Vivant
Cafe BonBon
Cafe Des Arts
La Petite Ferme

Things to do in Franschhoek:

Wine yards tour
Fishing
Wine tasting
Visiting museum and memorial

What to see in Franschhoek?

Huguenot Memorial:

The Huguenot Memorial is a landmark attraction, dedicated to Huguenots who were immigrants to Cape Colony during the 17th and 18th centuries and now their culture is spread all over the country. J.C. Jongens was the designer of this iconic monument.

Huguenot Memorial Museum:

The Huguenot Memorial Museum near the Huguenot Monument, describes the migration history of Huguenots, with their clothes, wine making methods and other cultural features of them. It is open from 9AM-5PM (Monday-Saturday) and 2PM-5PM (Sunday). Entrance fee is R10.

The Franschhoek Motor Museum:

The Franschhoek Motor Museum is a perfect place to know the automobile history of South Africa. The museum showcases dozens of unique and well preserved motorcycles, bicycles and memorabilia setting in a distinct style.

Winelands Experience:

The Winelands Experience is a renowned tour operator in Franschhoek and conducts a wide range of tours such as scenic tours, chauffeur drives and wine tour. All are enjoyable and memorable.

Franschhoek Wine Tram:

The Franschhoek Wine Tram is really a distinct attraction in Franschhoek. It is an open air tram bringing visitors to discover the whole wine yards of Franschhoek. It will be an unforgettable experience for visitors.

Other places of interest in Franschhoek include:

Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Franschhoek Pass
Cape Town City Hall
The Castle of Good Hope
Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town

When to visit Franschhoek?

From September to March is the most popular and best time to visit Franschhoek as when the town is sunny and dry, supportive for sightseeing.

Where to stay in Franschhoek?

Like its pleasant environment, Franschhoek’s hotels are also very nice, offering cool and healthy hospitality services for visitors with a wide range of blend of modern and traditional facilities. Here are some recommended hotels in Franschhoek: