tunnel
Huguenot Tunnel
South Africa's longest road tunnel, boring 3.9 km through the Du Toitskloof mountains on the N1 near Paarl and bypassing the old scenic pass above it.
12 km · about 20 min drive
Western Cape, South Africa · Africa
Paarl works well as a base: 20 minutes from Wellington, 44km from Route 62.
Paarl is a city located in Western Cape, South Africa. With a population of 236,910, it is an important destination in Africa.
On a road trip, Paarl sits in South Africa, where you drive on the left. It's in the Africa/Johannesburg time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Paarl to your route.
Paarl (; Afrikaans: [ˈpæːrəl]; derived from parel, meaning "pearl" in Dutch) is a town with 294,457 inhabitants in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is the largest town in the Cape Winelands. Due to the growth of the Mbekweni township, it is now a de facto urban unit with Wellington. It is situated aboutRead more
60 kilometres (37 mi) northeast of Cape Town in the Western Cape Province and is known for its scenic environment and viticulture and fruit-growing heritage.
Paarl is the seat of the Drakenstein Local Municipality; although not part of the Cape Town metropolitan area, it falls within its economic catchment. Paarl is unusual among South African place-names, in being pronounced differently in English than in Afrikaans; likewise unusual about the town's name is Afrikaners customary attachment to it, saying not in Paarl, but rather in die Paarl, or in die Pêrel (literally, "in the Paarl").
Paarl gained additional international attention when, on 11 February 1990, Nelson Mandela walked, with live international television coverage, out of Victor Verster Correctional Centre (now known as Drakenstein Correctional Centre) in Paarl ending his 27 years of imprisonment, and beginning a course to South Africa's post-apartheid era and, notably, to multi-racial elections. Mandela spent three years in prison here living in a private house within the walls. Today, a bronze statue of Mandela stands outside the prison.
Paarl hosted three matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003. The headquarters of Ceres Fruit Juices is located in the city, although its namesake and source of much of the fruit, Ceres Valley, lies around one hour's drive to the northeast.
The district is particularly well known for its Pearl Mountain or "Paarl Rock". This huge granite rock consists of three rounded outcrops. Paarl Rock consists of intrusive igneous rock.
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Paarl.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Paarl.
Paarl offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Paarl with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Paarl as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Paarl is located in Western Cape, South Africa, Africa. The coordinates are -33.7338 latitude, 18.9752 longitude.
Paarl has a population of approximately 236,910 people, making it a city in South Africa.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Paarl as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Paarl. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
Essential numbers in South Africa
112 works from mobiles. Avoid driving at night in rural areas; keep doors locked in cities.
Full driving guide for South Africa8 notable places within an hour's drive.
tunnel
South Africa's longest road tunnel, boring 3.9 km through the Du Toitskloof mountains on the N1 near Paarl and bypassing the old scenic pass above it.
12 km · about 20 min drive
historic highway
An 1853 Thomas Bain pass that runs as a narrow ledge blasted into the mountainside above the Witte River, barely altered since construction and now a national monument. The tarred road is single-lane in places with dramatic drop-offs.
17 km · about 20 min drive
museum
Elegant museum in the Cape Winelands housing over 220 vehicles from an 1898 Beeston to modern supercars.
19 km · about 20 min drive
mountain pass
A sweeping tarred climb out of the Franschhoek wine valley on the R45, following an old elephant migration route and offering a lay-by view back over the vineyard-filled bowl. Quick to drive and a favourite of Cape Town car clubs.
26 km · about 30 min drive
famous road
South Africa's longest wine route, a scenic alternative to the Garden Route passing through the Klein Karoo and wine valleys.
44 km · about 50 min drive
museum
Africa's largest contemporary art museum, carved from a historic grain silo on Cape Town's waterfront.
55 km · about 65 min drive
famous road
South Africa's grand traverse from the Cape Winelands across the Karoo to Kruger National Park and its Big Five wildlife.
55 km · about 65 min drive
landmark
Cape Town aquarium at the V&A Waterfront showcasing marine life from both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
55 km · about 65 min drive
Other places to explore near Paarl.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning