Paarl

South_Africa

(Taalmonument) Afrikaans Language Monument. Paarl Rock. Paarl is the third-oldest town in South Africa and located approximately 60km to the north-west of Cape Town. It is famous for having one of the world's largest rock outcrops.

  • Afrikaans Language Monument, +27 21 872 3441. Daily 8AM-5PM (to 8PM Sep to Apr). Unveiled in October 1975. The main 57-m column symbolises the Afrikaans language while the other columns, domes and walls represents the contribution of the European, indigenous African and Malay languages that have contributed to the development of Afrikaans. There is a restaurant at the monument and the elevated location of the monument provides good views over the Paarl Valley. Entrance: R40.
  • Afrikaans Language Museum, 11 Pastorie Ave, +27 21 872-3441. M-F 9AM-4PM. Explores the origins of the Afrikaans language. Discover how Afrikaans' development was influenced by Dutch, Malay-Portuguese, French, German, English, Arabic and the indigenous Khoi and African languages. Focus is on experience with interactive exhibitions give the visitor a hands-on experience of Afrikaans, its history, its dialects and its people, including interesting place names and nicknames. This small museum is regarded as one of the leading institutions in South Africa for intangible heritage. In Oom Gideon se Winkel visitors can buy books, CDs, T-shirts with Afrikaans poems, and craft and delicacies from years gone by. Entrance: R20.
  • Paarl Museum, 12 Pastorie Ave, +27 21 872 2651.
  • Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, Jan Phillips Mountain Drive, +27 21 872-3658. Daily 7AM-6PM. Fynbos landscape and wild olives dominated by massive rounded granite rock formations.
  • The Paarl Rock. One of the world's largest granite outcrops.
  • Die Vonds Snake Park, 104 Main Street Wellington, +27 21 869-8309. M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM. Snakes, monitors, tortoises and other animals and birds.
  • F.S. Smit & Co., 10 Lyon Street, +27 21 863-1032. Traditional wine cast manufacture with showroom.
  • Strooidak Church, 163 Main St, +27 21 872-4396. One of the oldest and most historic churches in South Africa.
  • The 12km long Paarl Main Road. The longest main road in South Africa. It boasts a mix of Cape Dutch, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco architecture.
  • Paarl Bird Sanctuary, Drommedaris Street, +27 21 868-2074. Home to Hartlaub's Gull, Greyheaded Gull, Cape Shoveller, African Black Duck, Cape Reed Warbler, African Rail, Little Bittern and other species.

Afrikaans Language Monument, +27 21 872 3441. Daily 8AM-5PM (to 8PM Sep to Apr). Unveiled in October 1975. The main 57-m column symbolises the Afrikaans language while the other columns, domes and walls represents the contribution of the European, indigenous African and Malay languages that have contributed to the development of Afrikaans. There is a restaurant at the monument and the elevated location of the monument provides good views over the Paarl Valley. Entrance: R40.

Afrikaans Language Museum, 11 Pastorie Ave, +27 21 872-3441. M-F 9AM-4PM. Explores the origins of the Afrikaans language. Discover how Afrikaans' development was influenced by Dutch, Malay-Portuguese, French, German, English, Arabic and the indigenous Khoi and African languages. Focus is on experience with interactive exhibitions give the visitor a hands-on experience of Afrikaans, its history, its dialects and its people, including interesting place names and nicknames. This small museum is regarded as one of the leading institutions in South Africa for intangible heritage. In Oom Gideon se Winkel visitors can buy books, CDs, T-shirts with Afrikaans poems, and craft and delicacies from years gone by. Entrance: R20.

Paarl Museum, 12 Pastorie Ave, +27 21 872 2651.

Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, Jan Phillips Mountain Drive, +27 21 872-3658. Daily 7AM-6PM. Fynbos landscape and wild olives dominated by massive rounded granite rock formations.

The Paarl Rock. One of the world's largest granite outcrops.

Die Vonds Snake Park, 104 Main Street Wellington, +27 21 869-8309. M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM. Snakes, monitors, tortoises and other animals and birds.

F.S. Smit & Co., 10 Lyon Street, +27 21 863-1032. Traditional wine cast manufacture with showroom.

Strooidak Church, 163 Main St, +27 21 872-4396. One of the oldest and most historic churches in South Africa.

The 12km long Paarl Main Road. The longest main road in South Africa. It boasts a mix of Cape Dutch, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco architecture.

Paarl Bird Sanctuary, Drommedaris Street, +27 21 868-2074. Home to Hartlaub's Gull, Greyheaded Gull, Cape Shoveller, African Black Duck, Cape Reed Warbler, African Rail, Little Bittern and other species.

Visit one of many wine estates

  • Boland Kelder, +27 21 862-6190. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 8:30AM-1PM. Cheese and wine tasting Under the Tree
  • KWV Wine Emporium, Kohler street, +27 21 807-3007. Open for wine tasting M-Sa 9AM-4:30PM. Cellar tours M-Sa 10AM, 10:15AM (in German), 10:30AM and 2:15PM. Home of some of the best wines and brandies produced in South Africa
  • Laborie Estate, Taillefret street, +27 21 807-3390. October to April: daily 9AM-5PM.
  • Nederburg, Sonstraal Road, Daljosafat, +27 21 862-3104. M-F 8:30AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-2PM.
  • Rhebokskloof, +27 21 869-8386. daily 9AM-5PM.
  • Ruitersvlei, Suid-Agter Paarl Road, +27 21 863-1517. M-F 8:30AM-5PM, Sa 8:30AM-3PM, Su 11AM-3PM.
  • Simonsvlei, +27 21 863-3040. M-F 8AM-6PM, Sa 8:30AM-4:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM. Offers cellar tours, wine tasting and olive tasting
  • Mooi Bly, +27 21 868-2808. on appointment only. Offers 'vine to wine' tours, takes 1½ hours.

Boland Kelder, +27 21 862-6190. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 8:30AM-1PM. Cheese and wine tasting Under the Tree

KWV Wine Emporium, Kohler street, +27 21 807-3007. Open for wine tasting M-Sa 9AM-4:30PM. Cellar tours M-Sa 10AM, 10:15AM (in German), 10:30AM and 2:15PM. Home of some of the best wines and brandies produced in South Africa

Laborie Estate, Taillefret street, +27 21 807-3390. October to April: daily 9AM-5PM.

Nederburg, Sonstraal Road, Daljosafat, +27 21 862-3104. M-F 8:30AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-2PM.

Rhebokskloof, +27 21 869-8386. daily 9AM-5PM.

Ruitersvlei, Suid-Agter Paarl Road, +27 21 863-1517. M-F 8:30AM-5PM, Sa 8:30AM-3PM, Su 11AM-3PM.

Simonsvlei, +27 21 863-3040. M-F 8AM-6PM, Sa 8:30AM-4:30PM, Su 11AM-3PM. Offers cellar tours, wine tasting and olive tasting

Mooi Bly, +27 21 868-2808. on appointment only. Offers 'vine to wine' tours, takes 1½ hours.

  • Wineland Ballooning, +27 21 863-3192. Go on a hot-air balloon over the Berg River Valley

Wineland Ballooning, +27 21 863-3192. Go on a hot-air balloon over the Berg River Valley

There are hiking trails in the area, ranging from short walk to multi-day trails.

  • Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, +27 21 872-3658. Trails run through the reserve, ranging from 2.4 km to 10 km.
  • Laborie Wine Hiking Trail, +27 21 708-3390. See the cape flora and birdlife on the Laborie Estate.
  • Limietberg Trail, +27 21 871-1536. A two-day trail of 36 km. Start at the foot of the Du Toitskloof, then to Bainskloof village and on to Tweede Tol.

Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, +27 21 872-3658. Trails run through the reserve, ranging from 2.4 km to 10 km.

Laborie Wine Hiking Trail, +27 21 708-3390. See the cape flora and birdlife on the Laborie Estate.

Limietberg Trail, +27 21 871-1536. A two-day trail of 36 km. Start at the foot of the Du Toitskloof, then to Bainskloof village and on to Tweede Tol.

  • Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm, Babilonstoren Road, +27 21 863-1142. A crocodile farm. Try a crocodile pie or buy crocodile leather articles
  • Valley Gun Club, On the R312 towards Durbanville, just outside Paarl, +27 83 325-4764. W from 2PM, Sa from noon. The largest clay target shooting club in South Africa and host to the 2010 DTL Trap World Championships. Trap, skeet, trench and sporting.
  • Play championship golf at Paarl Golf Club, +27 21 863-1140. Paarl Golf Club has a magnificent championship standard 27-hole golf course situated on Boschenmeer Golf Estate. It is a friendly club that welcomes visitors, including on competition days, and provides an outstanding golfing challenge on a well manicured course with good undulating greens. The Berg river flows alongside the course, and the backdrop of mountains is stunningly beautiful.
  • Paarl Directory, KWV Building, +27828974301. Accommodation, restaurants, attractions and local business guide to everything Paarl.

Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm, Babilonstoren Road, +27 21 863-1142. A crocodile farm. Try a crocodile pie or buy crocodile leather articles

Valley Gun Club, On the R312 towards Durbanville, just outside Paarl, +27 83 325-4764. W from 2PM, Sa from noon. The largest clay target shooting club in South Africa and host to the 2010 DTL Trap World Championships. Trap, skeet, trench and sporting.

Play championship golf at Paarl Golf Club, +27 21 863-1140. Paarl Golf Club has a magnificent championship standard 27-hole golf course situated on Boschenmeer Golf Estate. It is a friendly club that welcomes visitors, including on competition days, and provides an outstanding golfing challenge on a well manicured course with good undulating greens. The Berg river flows alongside the course, and the backdrop of mountains is stunningly beautiful.

Paarl Directory, KWV Building, +27828974301. Accommodation, restaurants, attractions and local business guide to everything Paarl.

  • Red Hot Glass Studio, Seidelberg Wine Estate Suid-After Paarl Road Suider Paarl, +27 21 863-0330. Daily 9AM-5PM. Fairview.
  • Wine. From any of the wine estates. Do a number wine tasting trips first and find out what you really enjoy. Most estates will ship to your home address so you don't have to cart the bottles around while you travel.
  • Fairview Cheese, +27 21 863-2450. Fairview specializes in goat's milk cheeses
  • Ikhaya, 185 Main Road, +27 21 872-5831. Arts, crafts and gifts.

Red Hot Glass Studio, Seidelberg Wine Estate Suid-After Paarl Road Suider Paarl, +27 21 863-0330. Daily 9AM-5PM.

Wine. From any of the wine estates. Do a number wine tasting trips first and find out what you really enjoy. Most estates will ship to your home address so you don't have to cart the bottles around while you travel.

Fairview Cheese, +27 21 863-2450. Fairview specializes in goat's milk cheeses

Ikhaya, 185 Main Road, +27 21 872-5831. Arts, crafts and gifts.

There are restaurants are situated along the Main Road and most of the wine estates also have their own restaurants on site.

  • At Ease Cafe, 191 Mainroad, +27 21 872-2781. Tu-Sa 11AM-late. Su 11AM-5PM. Ovenbaked pizza and pasta, homemade pies.
  • Kostinrichting Coffee Shop, 19 Pastorielaan, +27 21 871-1353. Light meals.

At Ease Cafe, 191 Mainroad, +27 21 872-2781. Tu-Sa 11AM-late. Su 11AM-5PM. Ovenbaked pizza and pasta, homemade pies.

Kostinrichting Coffee Shop, 19 Pastorielaan, +27 21 871-1353. Light meals.

  • Taal Monument Restaurant, +27 21 863-2800. M 8:30AM-5PM, Th-Sa 8:30AM-10PM, Su 8:30AM-5PM. A la carte and Sunday buffet.
  • Rhebokskloof, +27 21 869-8386. Excellent food, excellent setting.
  • Terra Mare Restaurant, 90a Main Street, +27 21 863-4805. Tu-Sa 9AM-late. Up market decor, art on walls for sale. Continental, gourmet food, choice of delicious starters, varied menu. Superb wine list. Olivier Jaeggi is a Swiss chef, who worked at the Bosmans of the Grand Roche. R45 to R120.

Taal Monument Restaurant, +27 21 863-2800. M 8:30AM-5PM, Th-Sa 8:30AM-10PM, Su 8:30AM-5PM. A la carte and Sunday buffet.

Rhebokskloof, +27 21 869-8386. Excellent food, excellent setting.

Terra Mare Restaurant, 90a Main Street, +27 21 863-4805. Tu-Sa 9AM-late. Up market decor, art on walls for sale. Continental, gourmet food, choice of delicious starters, varied menu. Superb wine list. Olivier Jaeggi is a Swiss chef, who worked at the Bosmans of the Grand Roche. R45 to R120.

  • Bosman's at the Grande Roche, Plantasie street, +27 21 863-2727. One of the top 10 restaurants in South Africa according to Wine Magazine. Superb winelist.
  • Laborie Restaurant, Taillefer Street, +27 21 807-3095. Daily 9AM-4PM. Cape Provincial Cuisine and traditional foods.

Bosman's at the Grande Roche, Plantasie street, +27 21 863-2727. One of the top 10 restaurants in South Africa according to Wine Magazine. Superb winelist.

Laborie Restaurant, Taillefer Street, +27 21 807-3095. Daily 9AM-4PM. Cape Provincial Cuisine and traditional foods.

Wine and brandy. Visit any of the wine estates that offer wine tasting. Also see the Do section

  • Paarl Hospital, +27 21 872-1711.
  • Paarl Medi-Clinic, +27 21 807-8000.

Paarl Hospital, +27 21 872-1711.

Paarl Medi-Clinic, +27 21 807-8000.

Paarl is in the center of the Cape Winelands, within proximity of the major town of Stellenbosch. It is also near Cape Town. You can reach all main attractions within 30 to 45 minutes (except the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point).