Overview

Stellenbosch, Stellie, or the “City of Oaks” is a charming town situated in the Western Cape province of South Africa, along the banks of the Eerste River and at the foot of Stellenbosch Mountain. It was nicknamed the “City of Oaks” due to its large number of Oak trees planted by its founder, Simon van der Stel. A Historic Town boasting a vibrant “Street Culture” with streetside cafes, galleries, wine farms, and fantastic restaurants. It is the second oldest town in South Africa, after Cape Town, and was founded in 1679. A University town and home to the world-renowned Stellenbosch University, the town has a vibrant nightlife filled with students.  

Stellenbosch has a variety of soils and locations ideally suited for the flourishing of a wide variety of grape cultivars. The town dominates the South African wine scene with its thriving wine industry and its location in the heart of the Winelands. The town is the gateway to hundreds of sprawling wine estates, orchards, and vineyards in this famed wine-producing region. Wine lovers can sample award-winning wines, and relax and drink in this stunning scenic region in the atmosphere of the Winelands. 

Stellenbosch is known as the Gourmet Capital brimming with celebrated restaurants serving delectable dishes alongside fantastic wines. Visitors can soak up the historic buildings in town boasting Dutch, Georgian, and Victorian architecture including the oldest hotel in South Africa; Oude Werf. These buildings house spectacular hotels, award-winning restaurants, quaint cafes, beautiful boutiques, bistros, and bars that stretch along oak tree-lined streets. Stellenbosch is truly a beautiful place to visit, an inspiring food, art, wine, and cultural destination popular among local and international visitors.

Things to see and do

There are many things to see and do while visiting Stellenbosch, it is renowned for its beautiful natural environment with several places of interest including wine farms, street cafes, restaurants, art galleries, historical buildings, and excellent educational institutions. Other activities to enjoy in the region include hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, tennis, and golf. 

Visit the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve and explore several of its hiking trails that range from easy 3-mile scenic walks to the more challenging 11-mile hikes along the Panorama and Swartboskloof Trails. 

Visit Helderberg Farm and check out Granny’s Forest for a nice easy scenic walk. There are various trails located within the forest as well as an overnight hut. 

Vineyard Hiking Trail is a 15-mile long trail that can take a full day and is best enjoyed in the spring or autumn months. This magnificent hike starts on the slopes of the Papegaaiberg, which is located above the Oude Libertas Center. It then meanders through the sprawling forest plantations, verdant vineyards, blooming olive groves, and the spectacular scenic renosterveld. 

Join a historical tour of Stellenbosch that offers its visitors a delightful blend of history, and culture. One of the best ways to explore the second oldest European settlement in the country is on a walking tour. You can also join a food tour for the afternoon, a local guide will lead you through the historic heart of town with various stops at cafes, gourmet restaurants, and delicatessens where you can sample some of the magnificent food samples that reflect the town’s heritage. 

Stellenbosch has a strategic position on the banks of the Eerste River, the town’s colonial history is seen everywhere you turn, from the Cape Dutch farmsteads backed by the verdant countryside to the Victorian and Georgian mansions set on the historic streets lined with 300-year-old oak trees. The town is filled with spectacular landmarks such as the 18th century Moederkerk (Mother Church) and the many beautiful Victorian buildings lining Dorp Street, many of which house beautiful boutiques, vibrant galleries, and fine restaurants. There are many galleries and museums to explore in town that house important national and international art collections. Stellenbosch Conservatoire is the country’s oldest music school. 

Visit the Toy and Miniature Museum located behind the Information Bureau in town, it is the only one of its kind in South Africa. 

Head to Market Street found in the heart of Town Square, also known as “Die Braak”. The Braak (Village Green) is an open area roughly the size of two rugby fields, it borders ‘Bird Street’. On one side of Bird Street is a collection of modern shops and offices and on the other side is the history surrounding the Braak. 

St Mary’s Church sits on the northern side of the green, it was built in 1852 and is an example of Cape Dutch architecture that was in fashion in the 1850s. On the western side is the old VOC ‘Kruithuis’ building established in 1877, Kruit is the Afrikaans word for gunpowder and ammunition, this building was used to store the local supplies for the Dutch East India Company. It features a round thatched roof and is built of bricks to protect the ammunition stored in it. There are two cannons found outside its main gates dating back to the 1800s. 

Take a fascinating hot air balloon ride over the Paarl Wine Valley. The valley is primarily known for its red wines which pair beautifully with a morning ride across the Winelands. Get a bird's eye view of the breathtaking region below dotted with mountains, wine farms, vineyards, and orchards. 

Head to Franschhoek for a ride on the Wine Tram! This is a fun and easy way to get between your wine tastings in the region. Hop on board the charming old-fashioned open-side tram and teh open-air tram bus and take a ride past the stunning mountainous scenery while hopping on and off at the loop of wine stops along the way. These wineries offer some excellent dining options, so enjoy lunch and lots of delicious wine at your leisure.

Shopping

Stellenbosch offers shoppers a huge variety of options to choose from including quaint boutiques, large shopping malls, unique antique stores, and more. Wander through the center of town for an afternoon filled with shopping where you can find an array of markets to browse through. Eikestad Mall is filled with over 100 stores including large chain stores and other shops including clothing and fashion outlets, supermarkets, and restaurants. There is a cinema complex also. Paarl Mall is a great shopping destination offering around 95 stores. Canal Walk boasts 400 stores that include local and international brands and a wide array of specialty stores and dining opportunities. Stelmark Center is located in the heart of town and focuses on food and grocery. It offers many retail chains such as Pick and Play, and Hungry Lions great food and gourmet supplies. The center offers some of the best shopping in Stellenbosch, Stelmark has it all when it comes to shopping. Other shopping centers in Stellenbosch include Checkers Center, De Wet Center, and the Die Boord Shopping Center.

Wine Route

South Africa’s spectacular vineyards cover 140,000 hectares mainly produced in the Western Cape region, which is influenced by a Mediterranean climate and its proximity to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The Cape Winelands stretch from the mountainous region, and multi-directional slopes of the coastal region to the open plains of the Klein Karoo. Most of the vineyards are situated in the Western Cape near the spectacular coast, other principal regions including the Coastal Region, Klein Karoo, Cape South Coast, Olifants River, and Breede River Valley. The main hubs are located in the Stellenbosch and Paarl districts. South Africa’s wine country is some of the most striking and dramatic, featuring verdant green pastures that contrast with the stunning topography of the country. Wine lovers will be spoilt for choice with an abundance of exceptional wines of varying styles on offer, modern cellars, legendary wineries, fantastic dining experiences, and spectacular scenery for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Stellenbosch is a historical town known as the “town of oaks” featuring some of the finest examples of Cape Dutch architecture, and a winemaking history and traditions that date back to the end of the 17th century. Stellenbosch University is the only university in the country that offers a degree in viticulture and enology; many of the country’s most successful winemakers are alumni. This spectacular wine region is located just a short distance east of Cape Town, it is the leading wine area in South Africa home to many of the leading estates in the country. There are over 200 wine estates and producers in the region including some of the most famous names in Cape wine.

The mountainous region is fringed by verdant vineyards and is home to a mixture of historic estates and contemporary wineries that produce excellent examples of almost all the noble grape varieties, especially known for the quality of its blended reds. The wine route here takes wine lovers through several different trails, there are several different sub-regions here and the geology is quite complex. The Stellenbosch district is divided into several smaller vinicultural pockets that include Banghoek, Bottelary, Devon Valley, Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Polkadraai Hills, Simonsberg-Stellebosch and Vlottenbury. The Stellenbosch Wine Route is the oldest in the country and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Western Cape.

Wines produced in the Stellenbosch region including the savory and complex South African Cabernet Sauvignon, and South African Syrah are taking the country by storm, and the dark spiced fruit-flavored wine with a chocolate richness. Some of the most recognizable wine-growing areas in the Western Cape are found in Stellenbosch, which is the second oldest settlement after Cape Town. Home to some of the popular names such as Kanonkop, Meerlust, and Thelema, the region excels at producing Bordeaux-style blends along with Pinotage, South Africa’s signature variety.

The Stellenbosch Wine Route is the oldest and most famous in the country attracting local and international visitors alike. The Stellenbosch Wine of Origin area boasts 106 cellars, wine estates, and vineyards to visit for an unforgettable experience. Wine lovers can sample award-winning wines along with celebrated restaurants and breathtaking accommodations in this stunning region. These magnificent establishments are scattered around the outskirts of the historic town many producing world-class wines. There are fascinating tours offered with many delicious tasting options, enjoy a long day’s wine tasting and wine buying and experience some of the most spectacular views in the Western Cape. 

Dining

Stellenbosh or the “City of Oaks” offers visitors world-class wining and dining opportunities. The town is quickly emerging as a spectacular destination for dining with a great variety of restaurants to choose from and great value. Stellenbosch is a culinary destination offering diners some of the best local cuisines in the land. Enjoy a relaxed pavement dining scene nestled among charming historic buildings with Cape Dutch architecture and majestic oak tree-lined streets dotted with cafes, wine bars, and some fabulous restaurants. The surrounding vineyard-dotted hillsides are home to a slew of stunning wine farms offering some of the wine in South Africa. The country boasts excellent food packed with sumptuous South African flavors and eclectic dishes. There are modern menus and international cuisine to choose from when dining in Stellenbosch, there are lots of excellent restaurants found in town. The Spice Route is a collection of eateries and restaurants located near Paarl, which is just outside of town. There are many places to dine here including a pizza place, and a brewery that serves South African beer and biltong (jerky). Alot of restaurants in Stellenbosch offers great specials and also fun-themed evenings.

Nightlife

The vibrant streets in town get lively and glamorous as the sun goes down, and there are some great nightlife opportunities to choose from in Stellenbosch. The Town of Oaks has a good nightlife reputation in South Africa with many different offerings for a night out on the town. There are a vast array of restaurants, bars, and clubs to choose from many with live music and good drink options, especially the wine! Stellenbosch is a university town so the student population is high and the nightlife is poppin' and filled with thirsty students. That being said Stellenbosh has been awarded the infamous party capital of the Western Cape. It is easy to go bar hopping in town as everything is within walking distance of each other and enjoy a plethora of after-dark activities. Church Street is a popular location to visit after dark with shops that stay open late as well as many bars and cafes with outdoor seating.