There are taxi services in town and 3-wheel Tuk Tuk services. Average rates start around R10-R16 per mile. Tuk Tuk’s can be found on the streets downtown and taxis are best called and ordered over the phone. 

Renting a car when visiting Franschhoek is many times the best and fastest way to travel around South Africa. The drive from Cape Town International Airport is quite simple and there are many scenic parts of the Franschhoek Valley that are great to drive through. The Franschhoek Pass is a popular one that winds through the mountains of Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve for 8 miles. Most of the roads to the wine farms and estates in Franschhoek are tarmacked and easy to navigate. 

The charming streets of downtown Franschhoek are pedestrian-friendly and walking around is one of the best ways to explore the charming aesthetics of the quaint town. Most of the town’s attractions are within walking distance of one another and visitors can stroll down the Main Street to enjoy cafes, restaurants, wine bars, and galleries. Walking to the wineries, and vineyards is not possible due to distance but once you reach your desired destination you can explore on foot.  There are some nice walking/hiking trails near Franschhoek such as Du Toitskop Look Out Ridge which is a 2-mile loop that is moderately challenging and takes around 1 ½ hours to complete. Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve is located just outside of Franschhoek where there are nine hiking trails within the reserve. All of the trails in the reserve are circular and start and end at the main gate. 

Cycling is a popular activity throughout the Franschhoek area. Cycling around the beautiful vineyards, through the charming downtown, or take a private cycling tour to get to know more about the region. Some of the tours include a visit to a few of the wine estates in the region where cyclists can enjoy local wines, along with chocolate, biltong, and wine pairing options. There are e-bikes available which are a fun way to ride and take in the warm weather and breathtaking scenery.  There are several mountain biking trails around town including the Robertsvlei Loop, a 9-mile beginners trail that begins at R45 Road and continues on Robertsflei Road through the countryside farms. The Franschhoek Pass Trail is a steep, strenuous 15.53-mile route to the top of the pass. It begins in town and winds its way up past Huguenot Memorial Museum, Haut Cabrier estate, and Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve.  The Boschendal Wine Estate is one of the best estates to come to for their cycling trails. You can rent a mountain bike here as well as e-bikes and bikes for kids and there are 6 trails that visitors can take on the estate; the Yellow Route is 2.5 miles, the Green Route is 5.5 miles, the Blue Route is 6.83 miles, the Red Route is 9.32, the Black Route is 14 and the Black XL Route. 

Franschhoek is considered a very safe destination to visit. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. 

The Main Street of downtown Franschhoek is brimming with high-end fashion clothing stores, jewelry, antique and interior shops, specialty food stores, and independent boutiques. There are also outdoor cafes, colorful galleries, charming tasting rooms, and delectable restaurants within easy walking distance in the heart of downtown. The Franschhoek Village Market is held once a week on Saturdays from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm in the heart of town on Huguenot Road. Visitors can find a number of products from local farmers including homemade preserves, exquisite dishes from local chefs, freshly baked bread and pastries, fine art and jewelry, unique souvenirs, clothing, and more. The market is a vibrant social event with a great vibe and a good place to meet locals. 

The official language spoken in Franschhoek is English, which is widely spoken, especially in the service industry, it is taught in schools and used in government, business, and the media. Many people speak fluent English, especially in hotels and restaurants. There are officially eleven languages in South Africa with Afrikaans being one of the most popular along with English and nine ethnic languages, of which Zulu and Xhosa are the most widely spoken. We recommend getting a good English/African guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

The temperatures in Franschhoek are pleasant throughout the year with daily average high temperatures between 66-82 and average lows between 44-66 F. March and April are harvest season which is a popular time to visit. The weather is at its most pleasant between April and May, and from September to October. May through September is known as the off-season and nicknamed the “Franschhoek Secret Season” with mild temperatures and cheaper accommodations sometimes as much as 40% lower than in peak season. Peak season begins in November when the weather is still pleasant to enjoy outdoor activities. December is the month the sun stays up the longest in Franschhoek when you will get the most out of your daytime activities. 

The currency of Franschhoek is the South African Rand (ZAR). US dollars are also widely accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the Shilling, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred. 

Franschhoek is not only a wine lover’s dream but also a destination for foodies with some of the top restaurants in the entire country nestled within its borders. It is considered by some the “food and wine capital” of South Africa and hosted one of the top 50 restaurants in the world “The Tasting Room” according to the “S.Pellegrino world’s 50 best restaurants”. The town is home to a number of notable restaurants that line the Main Street downtown. The eateries boast a cosmopolitan mixture of trendy outdoor street cafes and bistros to upscale world-class restaurants and bars.  There are plenty of delicious restaurant choices in and around the village that cater to family fare as well as fine dining. The wine farms, wineries, and vineyards in Franschhoek offer great food at their onsite restaurants with spectacular views. The typical cuisine served in Franschhoek includes French, Asian, and International cuisine and many South African influences with plenty of vegan opportunities and many farm-to-table restaurants using the freshest ingredients from the region. 

The currency of Hoedspruit is the South African Rand (ZAR). US dollars are also widely accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the Shilling, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred. 

Franschhoek is not particularly known for its nightlife scene, the quaint wine town offers visitors plenty of fine dining establishments where dinner and drinks are served. There are some wonderful wine-tasting rooms and cocktail bars dotted around Main Street in downtown where visitors can spend some time in the evening. Many hotel bars are a great place to enjoy evening drinks and sometimes live entertainment in a charming, relaxed atmosphere.

The nightlife in Hoedspruit is pretty low-key, there are a few restaurants, pubs, and bars to enjoy dinner and drinks, but there isn’t much as far as late-night activities.