Wine tram | Cape Town Essentials

The Franschhoek Wine Tram

If you want to visit multiple wineries around Franschhoek (and don’t want to drive), the Franschhoek Wine Tram is an ideal option. Although the experience is clearly aimed at tourists, it offers an excellent opportunity to discover a large number of wineries in a short time. You can choose from different routes and decide for yourself how many wineries you want to visit. Below we share our personal experiences per winery we visited.

Tip: book early, as tickets sell out quickly. And combine the wine tram with an overnight stay in Franschhoek. This way you can fully enjoy all the wine tastings without rushing, and you have time to explore the village.

Make the most of your day trip

With several routes, you can hop between wineries on a vintage tram or bus, taking in the beautiful scenery. Each route visits unique wineries where you can sample wine (approx. R60-R150 per tasting), have lunch or just soak up the atmosphere. Tickets for the tram can be purchased through Get Your Guide or the official website and cost around R300-R400 per person and include transport but do not include tastings or meals. The tram is a convenient way to explore multiple wineries, but you can also visit the wineries below on your own without a tour. Plan your route in advance, book a spot for lunch and research which wineries you would like to visit.

We chose the orange route and visited six wineries in one day (see below). We started the tour at 08:45 in the morning. They offer you free wine to taste on the tram, but because it was such a full day, we skipped it (also because of the time of day of course). Don't forget to drink plenty of water and arrange a pick-up if you are staying outside of Franschhoek!

However, we recommend booking an overnight stay in Franschhoek so that you have an extra day to explore this charming village. For example, take the beautiful Uitkyk hike (see our hikes page) and enjoy the culinary delights that Franschhoek is known for.

Boschendal

This historic winery, founded in 1685, is one of the oldest in South Africa. The grounds have an atmospheric appearance with an impressive tree under which you can sit. A quiet place with beautiful surroundings, but there is no view of vast vineyards as is often the case with other wineries. A good place to relax, also if you are traveling with children.

Noble Hill

Noble Hill is known for its elegant wines and focus on sustainable production. Although we didn't do a tasting here, we enjoyed a delicious Mexican lunch in their atmospheric garden. The cozy atmosphere and excellent service make this an absolute must!

Babylonstoren

A visit to Babylonstoren is highly recommended. This winery offers much more than just wine on a huge property: they make olive oils, have beautiful gardens, offer cellar tours, have two high-quality restaurants, a wine museum and even a spa and hotel. With the wine tram you pay R20 entrance fee (normally R150). The only downside (for us personally) was that the wine tasting was inside; we would have preferred to sit outside. Still, this is a must-visit place where you can easily wander around for a few hours.

Baccó

Baccó exudes Italian atmosphere, both in the surroundings and in the menu. The winery offers beautiful views over the valley and has a refined, chic feel. As one of the younger wineries in Franschhoek (started in 2016 and open to the public since 2019), it has quickly become a favourite. Definitely recommended!

Vrede & Lust

With a history dating back to 1688, Vrede & Lust is one of the oldest wineries in the region. It has been run by two brothers for 35 years and offers a cozy, informal atmosphere. The views of the vast vineyards are beautiful, but if you want to be a little less rushed on your wine tour and have to make choices, you might want to skip this winery.