About Paarl

Paarl lies along the Berg River between Paarl Mountain, one of the world's largest granite outcrops, and the Drakenstein range, a setting that has made it one of South Africa's major wine towns since French Huguenot settlers introduced viticulture here from 1688. Beyond wine, the town has deep cultural significance as the birthplace of the movement to have Afrikaans recognised as a written, national language, commemorated today by the Afrikaanse Taalmonument on the mountain above the town. Its economy still runs on agriculture and agri-processing, from citrus, olives and tobacco to wine and food manufacturing, alongside a role as an educational and regional commercial hub for the Cape Winelands. Wine estates such as Nederburg and Laborie anchor much of the town's tourism today.

Paarl's calendar this season leans heavily on food, wine and the outdoors. The long-running Freedom Weekend Market keeps returning to Freedom Village every weekend for shoppers after local crafts and produce. Wine lovers can look out for the Waterblommetjie Festival, a Cape Winelands tradition celebrating the region's seasonal harvest, while comedy fans might catch LAG IN AFRIKAANS for an evening of local humour. Runners and hikers have plenty to train for too, with the Paarlberg Half Marathon testing legs on the slopes above town, and outdoor enthusiasts can build up to the multi-day Paarl Adventure Festival later in September.