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City in Western Cape, South Africa
Photo: Nick Roux - User: (WT-shared) NJR ZA at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Paarl is the third-oldest town in South Africa and is approximately 60 km to the north-west of Cape Town. It is famous for having one of the world's largest rock outcrops.
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Afrikaanse Taalmonument
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.
Die Afrikaanse Taalmuseum
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.
One of the oldest and most historic churches in South Africa.
Fynbos landscape and wild olives dominated by massive rounded granite rock formations.
One of the world's largest granite outcrops.
Snakes, monitors, tortoises and other animals and birds.
Traditional wine cast manufacture with showroom.
The longest main road in South Africa. It boasts a mix of Cape Dutch, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco architecture.
Home to Hartlaub's Gull, Greyheaded Gull, Cape Shoveller, African Black Duck, Cape Reed Warbler, African Rail, Little Bittern and other species.
Cheese and wine tasting Under the Tree
Home of some of the best wines and brandies produced in South Africa
Offers cellar tours, wine tasting and olive tasting
Offers 'vine to wine' tours, takes 1½ hours.
Go on a hot-air balloon over the Berg River Valley
Trails run through the reserve, ranging from 2.4 km to 10 km.
See the cape flora and birdlife on the Laborie Estate.
A two-day trail of 36 km. Start at the foot of the Du Toitskloof, then to Bainskloof village and on to Tweede Tol.
A crocodile farm. Try a crocodile pie or buy crocodile leather articles
The largest clay target shooting club in South Africa and host to the 2010 DTL Trap World Championships. Trap, skeet, trench and sporting.
Paarl Golf Club has a magnificent championship standard 27-hole golf course 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
Accommodation, restaurants, attractions and local business guide to everything Paarl.
Ovenbaked pizza and pasta, homemade pies.
Light meals.
À la carte and Sunday buffet.
Excellent food, excellent setting.
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.
One of the top 10 restaurants in South Africa according to Wine Magazine. Superb winelist.
Cape Provincial Cuisine and traditional foods.
A smallholding among the vineyards with Cape Dutch cottage rooms.
Antonella Wright
On 8 hectares of ground, 4-star guesthouse, 7 well-appointed bedrooms, with stunning views from private balconies. TV, airconditioners, swimming pool. Inclusive of breakfast. Lunches and dinners can be arranged at our excellent family restaurant. Personal attention to make stay most memorable.
Self-catering chalets and caravan park on the Berg River.
Five thatched cottages surrounded by vineyards, fully equipped, swimming pool, 10 minutes out of town.
At the foot of the Du Toitskloof mountain, bordering Hawequa Nature Reserve.
Privately run B&B in upmarket residential area. Book with Ivana.
Cascade Manor
Luxury family accommodation with Spa in the Olive Valley of the Cape Winelands. Fifteen rooms with views of the waterfall and surrounding olive groves. Dinners showcase fresh local produce. Member of Cape Country Routes and Fair Trade Tourism Certified
Small luxury hotel.
This Victorian-style hotel dates from 1723 and has been beautifully restored. TV, air conditioning are available.
A restored 4-star Cape Dutch estate founded in 1698 by a French Huguenot settler, with 17 units across several historic buildings - barnyard rooms, stable rooms, garden cottages, apartments and a manor suite - accommodating up to 36 guests. Facilities include two swimming pools, an on-site restaurant and bar serving farm-to-table meals, secure parking, free Wi-Fi, and mountain views. The estate remains a working guava farm.
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 specialises in goat's milk cheeses
Arts, crafts and gifts.
By train
Metrorail runs trains from Cape Town, including the high-end Boland Business Express. Services are aimed mainly at commuters, with more trains in the morning and afternoon.
By bus
Long distance coach operator Intercape has connections to Paarl from several major cities in South Africa as well as one international service from Harare, in Zimbabwe.
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Cape Town · International · CPT
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