The scenic town of Paarl is a 40-minute drive outside Cape Town, at the foot of the second-largest granite outcrop in the world. This green leafy suburb is full of giant oaks donated by Simon van der Stel, Governor of the Cape of Good Hope colony which provides shade on the hot summer days. The scenic beauty of the Paarl Valley and the richness in fauna and flora attracted the attention of Charles Darwin, when he came to the valley in 1836.

High on the Paarl Mountain and celebrating the birth of Afrikaans is the Afrikaans Language Monument and just outside Paarl is the Victor Verster Prison, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated and started his walk to freedom.

There are so many great things to do in Paarl: enjoy the experience of a lifetime and go hot-air ballooning! Or visit a crocodile breeding farm, snake park or climb Bretagne Rock and follow one of the many walking trails. Visit Millwater Wild Flower Garden where 15 species of protea may be viewed. Catch trout or bass for dinner, enjoy a horseback ride through vineyards or fynbos, or visit our bird sanctuary. Play around of golf at Pearl Valley Signature Golf Estate & Spa or Paarl Golf Club. If winetasting is your thing, you can view a list of all Paarl Wine Estates that offer wine tasting Paarl here. Relax and savour the world-class wines on the Paarl wine route.

Paarl has so much great accommodation in town and on farms, including campsites, villas, B&B;’s, boutique hotels and five-star hotels.