Paarl Heritage Trail: A Story of Wine and Pearls

If you like walking tours with quirky facts, hidden corners and a few surprises, this meander along the beautiful oak-lined Main Road of Paarl (meaning, “pearl”) is the tour for you.

Apart from being one of the best-preserved roads in South Africa, it’s also the longest. Along the way, passionate, proud Paarlite and experienced guide, Janet, will share stories about the town’s earliest residents, and show you the wide range of architectural styles dotted along the Main Road, too.

The tour’s highlights include:

• The story of an influential resident who considered trains to be the antichrist
• The oldest Cape Dutch church still in use by a congregation in South Africa
• The spot where a businessman’s servants would roll out a red carpet for him every time he crossed Main Road
• The building where the very first Afrikaans newspaper was printed
• One of only three buildings in the Cape with Egyptian decorations, from an era when the Suez Canal’s construction renewed interest in all things Egyptian
• A church that makes its own wine

Whether it’s your first time in Paarl or you’re a local who’s curious about its fascinating history, this walking tour is an invaluable introduction to the town and its stories of yesteryear.

Allow 1.5-2 hours for this walk. There are several coffee shops and restaurants en route for a quick (or lengthy) stop.