111 Best Sights in The Western Cape and Winelands, South Africa

True to its name, this is a small estate produces just enough wine for the restaurant and to keep its faithful customers happy. Try the full-bodied, barrel-fermented Chardonnay or the Merlot, which scoops up awards year after year. The Verdict, a Cape-style blend, is also a crowd-pleaser. Recommended is the Vine Orientation, a guided walk through the vineyards followed by a tasting of wine and canapes. Advance bookings are essential.

With a name meaning "crown of the land" in Afrikaans, this venerable estate, run by the ninth generation of the de Villiers family, produces a Cabernet Sauvignon—with hints of spice and oak—that's up there with the best. Look out for the Paul de Villiers Wine Range. For a little something to sip after a long, leisurely dinner, try the Cape Vintage Port—a dark, fortified wine with aromas of black prunes and tobacco. As well as tastings, there are food and wine pairing options. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the grounds.

The three-hour Langeberg Tractor Ride takes you to the summit of Long Mountain and back. The tractor winds up some tortuously twisted paths, revealing magnificent views of the area's peaks and valleys. After a short stop at the summit, a similarly harrowing descent follows, but you won't be disappointed by the views or the driver's chirpy banter. If you're here in spring or summer when the flowers are in bloom, you might even get to pick some gorgeous proteas on the way down. Following your trip, you can enjoy a delicious lunch of potjiekos (traditional stew cooked over a fire in a cast-iron pot). Reservations are essential.

On the dirt road from Bredasdorp is the small hamlet of Malgas, a major port in the 19th century before the mouth of the Breede River silted up. In addition to a tiny village, you will find the last hand-drawn car ferry in the country. It's fascinating to watch the technique, as the ferry operators "walk" the ferry across the river on a huge cable, leaning into their harnesses.

As you head out of Cape Town on the N1 or R27 on your way up the coast, it's easy to whiz past the tiny whitewashed settlement of Mamre on the R304. But it's worth turning off here to check out the old thatch buildings that made up the Moravian Mission Station, founded in 1808. The church here is almost always open, but phone ahead to make sure. All the buildings dating from this period have been restored and declared national monuments. It is signposted in Afrikaans: Morawiese Kerk. Unfortunately, the rest of the town is unlovely and crippled with the usual ills of unemployment and poverty.

If you need to stretch your legs, take a hike in the Marloth Nature Reserve. Four easy walks, ranging from two to six hours, explore some of the mountain gorges. An office at the entrance to the reserve has trail maps and hiking information. If you're doing a day walk, park outside the entrance boom. Although you can stay in the reserve until sunset, the gates close at the time advertised.

An unpretentious destination, McGregor Wines makes good, inexpensive wines. Try the unwooded Chardonnay; previous vintages won Veritas Gold awards. Their fortified wines are perfect for sipping near a log fire in winter. The white Muscadel and the Cape Ruby Port are very different, but both are delicious. In 2019, McGregor merged with larger, Robertson-based winery Roodezandt, but it retains its own labels and identity.

A visit to Meerlust, one of South Africa's most celebrated estates, provides an introduction to Cape history. In the same family for generations, the vineyard was bought by Johannes Albertus Myburgh in 1757. When Nicolaas Myburgh took over the reins in 1959, he began restoring the farm's Cape Dutch buildings. The entire complex was declared a national monument. Nico Myburgh did more than just renovate. In the '70s, conventional wisdom had it that Cabernet Sauvignon was king, but Nico went against the grain and opted for a Bordeaux-style blend, planting both Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The first wine, made in 1980 and released in 1983, was named Rubicon (an allusion to Julius Caesar) to symbolize the crossing of a significant barrier. Rubicon garners awards year after year and is rated as an international best seller. The estate makes only one white, a delicious, full-bodied Chardonnay. Meerlust's other wines—Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Merlot—are also notably good. The low-key, relaxed tasting offers great value for money

This picture-pretty estate has one of the best views in the valley. Mont Rochelle, owned by Sir Richard Branson, boasts more than 90 acres of vineyard, and the wines produced here are excellent. Book ahead to visit the tasting center and sample a variety of Mont Rochelle wines—try the Mont Rochelle Syrah and the signature Miko Chardonnay. For relaxed and formal dining, the hotel has two restaurants: the Country Kitchen, which is the perfect place for a light lunch or relaxed dinner, and Miko, a contemporary gourmet restaurant where you can enjoy a cocktail at sunset or an intimate meal.

You can't drive down the R44 between Somerset West and Stellenbosch without noticing the remarkable scarecrows at Mooiberge Farmstall. They're riding bicycles, driving tractors, and working in the strawberry fields, where you can spend a morning picking the luscious red fruit. The strawberry season varies from one year to the next but usually begins in October and runs to January. You pay for what you pick, and you can also buy jams, dried fruit, and other refreshments at the farm stall. Look for the interesting display of old farm implements at the side of the building.

This beautiful Cape Dutch estate, with a history stretching back 300 years, lies in the lee of a steep hill covered with vines and pine trees. In 1993 Morgenhof was acquired by Anne Cointreau of Cognac, France, who spared no expense in making this a showpiece estate with a lovely rose garden on top of the working underground cellar. The estate has a talented winemaker, Andries de Klerk, and some distinguished wines. The Morgenhof Estate Blend 2006 is a complex wine made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. Look out for black cherries, prunes, hints of chocolate, and spice on your palate. On a hot summer's day (and the temperatures can soar in Stellenbosch) try the 2015 Chardonnay with fresh pear, passion fruit, and pineapple flavors. Morgenhof is an excellent place to stop for lunch while you watch the peacocks roaming around. There's also a coffee shop if you want a snack before heading off to the next farm. Tour reservations are advisable in summer.

A leading producer of excellent extra-virgin olive oils and wines is the historic estate Morgenster (Morning Star), which was part of Cape Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel's original 17th-century farm. In the mid-1990s the estate was restored to its original splendor, and thousands of olive trees were imported from Italy. It is now producing some of the best olive oils in the country and internationally. Seventeen different olive cultivars on the farm have been carefully selected from all the regions in Italy; these are pressed and stored individually before they're blended. For R55 you can taste the olives, the oil, balsamic vinegar, and the delicious olive paste. It's also worth lingering in the beautiful wine-tasting room, which was designed by acclaimed South African architect Revel Fox. Phone a day ahead if you're traveling in a group bigger than six. Reservations are recommended on weekends.

A long and beautiful driveway emerges at Mulderbosch's tasting room and restaurant, both of which overlook a small lake. It's a relaxed and family-friendly spot, with a small jungle gym and unpretentious food like wood-fired pizzas and sliders. On the wine side, try the Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc series; these wines capture all that's good about the underrated Chenin varietal. Look for mango, pineapple, and citrus flavors with crisp acidity, perfect for summer drinking. A huge portion of the farm has been left to indigenous vegetation and wildlife, and they're attempting to restore endangered native renosterveld and fynbos vegetation. 

Ancient oaks and a cellar that truly seems to be more concerned with the business of producing wine than with decor make this a refreshing change from the "prettier" wineries. It's a small estate, specializing in rich, earthy reds and full-bodied dessert wines. Muratie's port is an old favorite in the Cape, and the well-balanced Amber Forever is a fortified dessert wine has pleasing citrus notes to counter the sweetness. Worth looking out for are the Pinot Noirs, from some of the oldest vines of this cultivar in the Cape. The farm's flagship wine is the Ansela van der Caab, a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, named after the freed slave who married the first owner of the farm, Laurens Campher, and helped set up the vineyards in the early 1700s. The Ronnie Melck Shiraz and Muratie Martin Melck Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon also come highly recommended. There are cottages on site and an unfussy restaurant serving steaks, salads and a few South African specialties.

Before you head up the spectacular Bain's Kloof Pass, do a quick detour to a quieter corner of the busy Winelands. Situated in the heart of the Bovlei upper valley outside Wellington, Nabygelegen is known for its handcrafted wines. Their motto is "good wine takes time," and they are dedicated to producing top-quality wine with concentrated flavors. Try the Seventeen Twelve 2014, with richness of black currant and plum overlaid with smoky tannins. Nabygelegen's Chenin Blanc 2008 and Snow Mountain Pinot Noir 2009 were served at Queen Elizabeth II's 60th jubilee lunch, earning the winery international acclaim. The tasting room, in the old forge—remember this would have been the old wagon route out of Cape Town—offers wine tastings.

A long avenue of pines leads to this lovely estate, which traces its origins to 1692. The magnificent 1814 Cape Dutch manor house looks out across formal rose gardens to the Stellenbosch Valley and the Hottentots Holland Mountains. The Gewürztraminer is an off-dry, very elegant wine with rose-petal and spice aromas, and the Maria Noble Late Harvest (named after the feisty woman who built the manor house) is one of the best of its kind, having scooped up almost every local award since 1990. The farm's Owl Post Pinotage is a single-vineyard wine matured in Hungarian oak, which makes it a funkier take on an old South African favorite. Look out for mocha, raspberry, and cherry flavors. Try the food-and-wine pairings, which include five bite-size servings paired with the estate wines—there's even a kids' version available. The restaurant is more casual than most found in wineries, serving salads, steak, burgers, and wood-fired pizza. On Wednesday evenings in summer enjoy live music, food, and wine as the sunsets.

Hermanus was originally a simple fishing village. Its Old Harbour, the oldest surviving example in South Africa, has been declared a national monument. The Old Harbour Museum bears testimony to the town's maritime past. A small building at the old stone fishing basin displays a couple of the horrific harpoons used to lance whales and sharks, as well as some interesting whale bones. The white building next to the parking lot on Market Square houses the Old Harbour Museum Photographic Exhibition. Here are photos of old Hermanus and of many of the town's fishermen proudly displaying their catches of fish, sharks, and dolphins. The museum's third—and most interesting—component is the Whale House, with an interactive display and entertaining movie that's great for kids. The daily crafts market held behind De Wetshuis Photo Museum is fun for browsing.

Head back toward Kleinmond, continuing on the R43 toward Hermanus and across the Bot River. The R43 swings eastward around the mountains, past the not particularly attractive fishing village of Hawston, one of the Overstrand communities hardest hit by abalone poaching and drug peddling, and the small artists' colony of Onrus. The Onrus lagoon is a great swimming spot for children; the water is always a couple of degrees warmer than the sea and is safe for the newly waterborne.

Redolent of tobacco, dried fish, and spices, this 19th-century-style general store is one of Stellenbosch's most popular landmarks. In addition to the usual Cape kitsch, Oom Samie sells some genuine South African produce, including witblits and mampoer, both Afrikaner versions of moonshine. The shop has a restaurant, too.

This museum stands at the entrance to Church Street and is the logical departure point for a self-guided tour of the area. The church has been extensively restored and has an interesting collection of artifacts from the area, including carvings made by Boer prisoners of war. A ticket includes admission to two other buildings on Church Street, which operate as annexes of the main museum. These show a practical history of events before, during, and after the quake. The buildings have been painstakingly reconstructed.

Possibly the country's oldest boardinghouse and now a welcoming guesthouse, Oude Werf (formally d'Ouwe Werf) first took in paying guests in 1802. To get here from Dorp Street, turn onto Andringa Street and then right onto Church (aka Kerk) Street; Oude Werf will be on your left.

Among the established estates on Stellenbosch Kloof Road, Overgaauw definitely deserves a visit. You can admire the pretty Victorian tasting room while exploring the range of big red wines. David van Velden is the fourth-generation winemaker on the farm. Tradition hasn't stood in the way of innovation, however. In 1982 Overgaauw was the first South African estate to make a Merlot, but it also experiments with other varietals, and you should, too. Try the wonderful Cape Vintage Port made with Portuguese varietals such as touriga, tintas, souzao, and cornifesto. The result is a richly balanced blend. The Tria Corda, a red blend, sells out faster than it can be released. The spicy, fruity Sylvaner is named for a grape of the same name. To date, Overgaauw is the only Cape estate to grow this varietal, which comes from the Alsace region of France, so it's definitely worth exploring.

Coming from the north, Main Road doglegs to the right at Lady Grey Street before continuing its way south. On your left, the Paarl Museum, formerly the Oude Pastorie, occupies a fine Cape Dutch home built as a parsonage in 1787. The building itself is of more interest than the collection, which includes odds and ends such as silver, glass, and kitchen utensils donated by local families.

East of Clanwilliam, the R364 becomes a spectacularly scenic road called Pakhuis Pass. Fantastic rock formations glow in the early morning or late afternoon. A steep, narrow road to the right leads to the mission town of Wupperthal, with its characteristic thatch houses and sleepy air. This used to be a thriving Moravian mission station, and remnants of the old industries remain. A baker still turns out soft, yeasty loaves that are snapped up as fast as they come out of the oven, and you can see shoes being made in the local shoe factory. The main industry here today though is the cultivation of rooibos tea. You can drive this road in an ordinary rental car, but be very careful in wet weather. 

The name means "Pleasure of the Blackbird" and has its origins with the original French owners of the farm. This huge estate is the showpiece of Distell, a big wine and spirit producer. With its innovative architecture and conservation area, it truly feels different from the ubiquitous oak-and-gable wineries that you see all over the Cape. But forget the frills—it really is all about the wine. Don't miss the full-bodied, barrel-fermented Chardonnay, which spends nine months in the barrel developing its lovely rich and layered flavor. The farm's flagship wine is the Grand Plaisir, a complex red blend. When tasting, look out for flavors of ripe plums, oak with hints of tobacco, vanilla, and cedar. There is also a range of pairing experiences on offer, including wine with nougat, fudge, or savory snacks.

At its best in August—when the Clanwilliam Flower Show takes place at the old Dutch Reformed church—the Ramskop Wildflower Garden is a wonderful opportunity to see many of the region's flowers all growing in one place. The best time to go is between 11 am and 3 pm, when the sun is at its apex and the flowers are open. You pay to enter the flower garden at the entrance of the Clanwilliam Dam, on the road out of town past the garden. They won't charge you if the weather isn't great and the flowers aren't at their best—that's small-town hospitality for you. There is a simple coffee shop in the garden. Expect opening times to vary for no particular reason.

This winery sits at the head of a shallow valley, backed by hillsides covered with vines and fynbos. It's a lovely place for lunch on a sunny day, and you can explore the estate and beyond on a series of walking, biking, or horseback trails. The restaurant serves à la carte meals and teas on an oak-shaded terrace overlooking the gardens and mountains. There's also a pizzeria, or you can order a picnic basket for two brimming with fresh baguettes, cold meats, salads, delicious cheeses, and a bottle of wine (must be booked in advance). The estate makes an excellent Shiraz, thanks to its unique terroir, which is composed of old decomposed granite soils. Other wines to look out for are the Pinotage, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc.

One of the most impressive restoration projects ever undertaken in South Africa and a good example of what early Stellenbosch must have been like, this complex consists of an art center, which melds elements of English and Cape architecture; and a two-story building that is typically English. The complex is west of Die Braak, facing a large lawn. The Toy and Miniature Museum houses a collection of scale dollhouses and antique toys, as well as a miniature model of the famous Blue Train.

Capetonians have long considered Rooiberg Winery, between Worcester and Robertson, one of the best value-for-the-money wineries in the area. If you don't have time to taste much, delve straight into the reds from the reserve range, which count a few award winners in their ranks. The Bodega de Vinho restaurant serves light meals and delectable pastries, making this a good place to stop for lunch.

Stroll along the boardwalk at Rooisand Nature Reserve and you might catch a glimpse of the famous Bot River horses that live in vlei, or wetlands along the shores of the Botrivier Lagoon. There are lots of theories about just how the horses got here. One has it that they were turned loose by soldiers during the Boer War. More likely they are descendants of the sturdy horses used to help settle the wild regions of the Overberg. This area is also a birder’s paradise, and you might see white cattle egrets riding piggyback on the horses.