Paarl tourist information
Only 56 km from Cape Town, Paarl offers historical charm, culture, architectural heritage, wine and fruit farms, breathtaking scenery and many cycling and nature trails. The magnificent countryside, good wines and friendly people welcome you to a town where a feeling of tranquility still transcends modern day living.
Paarl has a large area of unspoilt natural beauty at its doorstep. The Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve has a picturesque landscape of fynbos vegetation dominated by massive rounded granite rock formations set among wild olives, rock candlewoods and wagon trees. Fishing, hiking, picnics, climbing and mountain biking possible.
Paarl Arboretum was established in 1957 and boast with 4 500 trees (750 species) from 6 continents on 32 hectares of land along the Berg River. Enjoy a quiet moment while spotting the colourful Malachite Kingfisher in the 45 hectares of paradise at the Paarl Bird Sanctuary with its 140 species of birds visiting throughout the year.
The Limietberg Nature Reserve is nestled by the Du Toitskloof Mountains. This nature reserve offers superb outdoor opportunites like a day- or multi-day trail, within a pristine natural environment. The fynbos vegetation in the Paarl area supports a number of South Western Cape Endemics like the Cape Sugarbird and the Orange-breasted Sunbird.
Paarl also boasts a unique attraction in the fact that we are home to the youngest language in the world. The foundations for the Afrikaans Language were laid here. The Afrikaans Language Monument on the slopes of Paarl Mountain and the Afrikaans Language Museum are a living memorial to this achievement.
A picture house of architecture is found along the 2 kilometer stretch of the Main Street, starting at the Strooidak Church - the oldest Dutch Reformed Church in the country still in use. Zeederberg Square is surrounded by picteresque Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian houses. The Paarl Museum where you could view Cape Antiques, artefacts, documents and photographs which reflect the cultural diversity and development of the town.
Paarl also offers endless outdoor entertainment - Explore our attraction route and discover the wide variety of animal attractions that Paarl has to offer - Animalzone, Die Vonds Snake Centre, Drakenstein Lion Park, Le Bonheur Crocodile Park, Neffensaan Bird Park, Paarl Bird Sanctuary and Wiesenhof Wild Park. For the adventurous - enjoy a hot-air balloon ride, go mountain biking, climb Bretagne Rock, enjoy a guided horseride in the mountains or a guided cycling trip in the winelands.
The enthusiastic shopper will be delighted with the choice of hand crafted gifts and souvenirs - handspun Mohair and Karakul wool rugs, ceramics and art, reflecting the lifestyles of our local community, from Ikhwezi Community Centre. Paarl also offers a number of Arts & Crafts shops outlets. You can also visit our art galleries - Hout Street Gallery & Gift shop & De Kraal Gallery & Studio. The Paarl Fleamarket takes place every Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00 at Jan Phillips Square, and the Paarl Food & Craft Market takes place every last Saturday of the month at Eccentric Trading from 09:00 - 14:00.
The culinary delights from Paarl range from traditional fare to exquisite international cuisine. Restaurants and eateries are diverse in character and range. Cooking styles reflect individual personalities, the result being a diversity of cuisine from the most formal and elegant to the simplest, yet well-prepared dishes. You can also feast your senses on some strawberries, cheese, olives and nuts from our farms, factories and outlets in Paarl.
In addition to the many various delights to the visitor, Paarl houses the headquarters of a number of large agricultural, manufacturing and financial companies. Paarl also houses some of the oldest schools in the Cape and is home to the BoE Cricket Park which hosts international events. Paarl made headlines when President Mandela was released from the Victor Verster Prison, on the outskirts of town, to freedom and the start of the new South Africa.
Paarl aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Paarl aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Paarl.
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