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Paarl Unlimited South Africa. All Accommodation, Restaurants, Wine Farms, Shops, Business and Activities in Paarl. Western Cape Winelands. South Africa |
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Paarl South Africa, Commercial Heart of the Cape Winelands district, lies at the foot of the Paarl mountain in the Berg River Valley, facing the majestic Klein Drakenstein Mountains.
Situated 60km north east of Cape Town, along the well traveled N1 highway. Paarl, Paarl, as well as having its own attractions, is ideally placed for visitors to explore the Winelands & western regions of the Western Cape.
Paarl is also the nearest neighbor to the internationally renowned Winelands village of Franschhoek. Paarl is at the head of the Franschhoek valley.
The northern Overberg region and the beginning of the Klein (Little) Karoo is just a short trip away from Paarl, either through the Huguenot Tunnel or over the scenic Du Toits Kloof Pass.
Paarl, South Africa is undoubtedly a beautiful place with magnificent scenery. The name Paarl is derived from the Dutch name for a Pearl (Parel) which was given to the 3 huge granite rock outcroppings on the Paarl mountain above the town, which can be seen from afar.
To the immediate east of Paarl, across the Berg River Valley, are the impressive heights of the Klein Drakenstein Mountains, where the Huguenot Tunnel and the Du Toits Kloof Pass are located.
A drive up the pass offers spectacular views of Paarl & the surrounding winelands, the whole coastal belt, False Bay to Saldanah Bay and beyond.
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To the south of Paarl lies the massive and awe inspiring sentinel of the Franschhoek valley winelands, the Simonsberg Mountain with the Vineyards of many venerable Estates planted along the lower slopes.
Hard to find a more beautiful corner of the Western Cape or South Africa for that matter.
Of Course that's just our opinion, but come and experience Paarl, the Pearl of the Cape Winelands in South Africa yourself!
Paarl is the center of the Cape Winelands district, and as such is surrounded by vineyards and grand Wine Estates which produce some of the best wines in the winelands of South Africa, particularly red wines, to be found in the world.
Of course this too is a matter of opinion, but also based on the many awards won by wines from South Africa.
Visit our for a comprehensive listing of all the Wine Estates in the Paarl winelands.
Paarl has a fabulous choice of accommodation such as Guest Houses, B&B's, Self Catering Villa's & Cottages, and Hotels for the discerning visitor as well as budget tourists.
Visit our pages to find the right place for you. Filled with exquisite Cape Dutch homes, many converted for use by visitors, Paarl has the right accommodation to suit every taste and need for an enjoyable holiday in the Cape, South Africa.
For the Discerning Diner, Paarl has a excellent selection of world class Fine Dining establishments. A diversity of cuisine- from local traditional dishes, simple and well prepared, to exquisite delights of international cuisine, awaits you when dining out in the pearl of the winelands.
For the fast food junkie or those looking for a breakfast and lunch menu, there are plenty of Fast Food outlets and casual Coffee Shops to choose from. Visit our |
Paarl is the shopping and business hub of the Cape Winelands. This busy town has numerous shops, supermarkets and businesses; from antiques to electronics and everything in between.
Besides the thriving town centre, there is also the Paarl Mall which attracts shoppers from all over the district, providing a great shopping experience to those who would otherwise have to travel into Cape Town to shop.
Visit our and to find comprehensive listings of all the shops and businesses in town.
Paarl has a rich history. Not much is known about the Paarl area before the European settlers arrived in South Africa, other than it was frequented by the indigenous population of South Africa, the Khoikhoi and San Peoples. Rock art is to be found at both Wemmershoek and Bainskloof near Paarl. The Paarl Mountain was know to these people as Tortoise Mountain, a very apt name for the granite topped mountain.
Paarl is the third oldest town in South Africa after Cape Town & Stellenbosch. The first European to discover Paarl's incredible beauty was Abraham Gabbema who led an expedition in 1657 to find fresh supplies, to barter with Khoi groups in the area, and as some suspect to search for the legendary treasures of Monomotapa. They arrived in the Paarl area during stormy weather and as the rain ceased and the sun came out they saw the glistening granite boulders. This prompted him to name the place "den Diamond ende Peerlbergh", Dutch for "the Diamond and Pearl Mountain" which eventually became the name Paarl, pronounced Perel and meaning Pearl.
30 years later the Governor of the Cape in South Africa, Simon van der Stel granted farms in the area to settlers in the cape and in 1688 the first French Huguenots arrived in the Paarl area and settled in the beautiful valley, of which Paarl is at the head, known then as "Olifantshoek- Elephants Corner" due to the many elephants that roamed the valley. As many settlers from different European nations conglomerated in the Cape and began to intermarry a new people evolved, a unique language began to develop, and so the Afrikaans nation was born and Paarl became the centre of development of the Afrikaans language in South Africa.
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