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town in the Western Cape, South Africa
Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Western Cape > Cape Winelands > Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch (pop. about 100,000) is a city in the Western Cape, and is the heart of the Cape Winelands, South Africa's prime wine region. Its historical parts display colonial Dutch architecture.

Understand

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Aerial view of Stellenbosch, showing the dramatic landscape.

Stellenbosch (founded in 1679) is about 50 km east of Cape Town and is the second oldest town in South Africa. It was named (like Simon's Town) after the former Governor Simon van der Stel. The town is situated on the banks of the Eerste River ('First River') and has some fine examples of Cape Dutch architecture. It is also known as 'Eikestad' ('Oak City') because of its oak tree lined streets. Wines from the Stellenbosch region are known internationally and rank among the best in the world. Stellenbosch is also home to one of the country's oldest established universities with over 25,000 students. There is a bustling night life during the university term-time, with many night clubs catering for young people.

Get in

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By bus

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A van service runs from hostels in Cape Town to Stellenbosch for about R120/pp, depending on how many passengers there are (just one and it's R200). The main bus companies also go to Stellenbosch.

By train

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MetroRail[dead link] operates a regular train service to Stellenbosch from Cape Town via Bellville. Check the schedule, as trains do not run very often. It is also advisable to travel in groups and avoid busy travel times in the morning and evening on weekdays.

  • 1 Stellenbosch railway station, Adam Tas St (Western edge of town, a few minutes walk from the city centre). (updated Dec 2020)
  • 2 Du Toit railway station, Porter Rd (In the northern parts of the city). (updated Dec 2020)

By plane

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Stellenbosch has its own airfield but the nearest international airport is near Cape Town. Cape Town International airport is about 35 minutes away by car and airport shuttle service is available. Most hotels and guest houses will arrange transfers on request: expect to pay R400-500 for up to four people.

By car

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Stellenbosch lies approximately 60km from Cape Town. Drive on either the N1 or N2 highway. If on the N1, exit at the R304 towards Stellenbosch. If on the N2, exit at the R310 (Baden Powell Drive) and follow the signs. The N1 is generally considered to be the safer route, particularly at night.

Get around

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Stellenbosch is small enough that the entire city centre can easily be covered on foot. The Tourism Bureau also has a few cycles to rent. A curiosity is that there are no street signs. If you look closely you will see that the street names are indicated in yellow (in Afrikaans) on the edge of the sidewalks.

Stellenbosch is not safe at night, do not walk around, get an uber as you will get mugged. There is no need to take taxis for safety - although if you want to eat (and drink) at one of the outlying wine estates, you'll have to.

The Stellenbosch Powder House, dating from 1776 or 1777, surrounded by the oaks for which the city is famous.

A walking tour of Stellenbosch provides fascinating glimpses of colonial Dutch architecture. The Stellenbosch Tourism and Information Bureau [formerly dead link] , 36 Market St., organizes 1½ hour guided tours M-F at 11:00 and 15:00 (R80pp). Special groups can also be arranged for on request. Alternatively, buy the brochure "Historical Stellenbosch on Foot" from the Bureau for R5 and guide yourselves.

  • 1 St Mary's Anglican Church. Built in 1852 (updated Dec 2020)
  • 2 Moederkerk, 5 Drostdy Rd. Largest church in the town, built in 1863. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 3 University of Stellenbosch Theology Faculty, 171 Dorp St. On the site of the original settlement, which was on an island in the Eerste River until one of its watercourses was filled in. This became the first university-level institution in 1859. The garden contains two pines from Norfolk Island, near Australia, which the university's students sometimes like to climb! (updated Dec 2020)

Museums

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  • 4 Stellenbosch Museum, 37 Ryneveld St, ☏ +27 21 887 2937. Consists of four adjacent houses of historical interest. Each of these homes represents a different period in the architectural development of the city. The houses, their interiors and their gardens have been restored, and furnished, to illustrate the particular style and taste of the time. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 5 Burgerhuis Museum (Fick House) (Corner of Blom Rdand Alexander St). Well-preserved Dutch house. Inside is an excellent collection of traditional furniture, kitchen equipment, etc. that can be visited in office hours (updated Dec 2020)
  • 6 The Powder House (V.O.C. Kruithuis). Powder, lead and flint were supplied to the inhabitants of Stellenbosch. During the first quarter of the 18th century the annual allowance was 150 pounds of gunpowder, 100 pounds of lead bullets and 300 flintlock stones. This was delivered at the end of September each year for distribution to the citizen army. To avoid damage to the city in the event of an explosion the Powder House was situated away from the main town. These days it houses a small collection of weapons. Entrance R5.. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 7 Rupert Museum, Stellentia Rd. Art museum. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 8 Stellenbosch University Museum, 52 Ryneveld St. (updated Dec 2020)
  • Stellenbosch University Conservatoire (SU Konservatorium (Afr)), c/o Victoria and Neethling St, ☏ +27 21 808-2345. The Stellenbosch Conservatoire is home to the Music Department of the Stellenbosch University. It features the acclaimed 550 seat Endler Hall as well as various other performance and lecture venues. Various concerts take place every week ranging from student concerts and ensembles to performances by renowned artists, both locally and internationally. It is also home to the world-renowned Stellenbosch University Choir. 
  • Klein Libertas Theatre, Bergzight Plein, Du Toit St (Next to Van Der Stel Sports Complex), ☏ +27 21 883-8164. 

Wine tours

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Vriesenhof Vineyards in Stellenbosch wine country.
  • Luhambo Tours, Cape Town, ☏ +27 21 551-0467. Specialised in wine tours to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, leaving daily from Cape Town. Small groups with specialised wine guides. 

Learn

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Stellenbosch is not short of tourist shops. If you are tempted to take some of the local wine home, don't forget that it will not be accepted in airline hand luggage!

  • Oom Samie se Winkel means "Uncle Samie's Shop" in Afrikaans. The shop is situated near the lower end of Dorp Street. You will find wines from the local wine estates, antiques, confectionary, sweets, jams, furniture and curios.
  • Champagne (Chabivin (Champagne & MCC house)), Blaauklippen road (Paradyskloof) (www.chabivin.co.za), ☏ +27 21 880-1643. Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM. Relax at Chabivin's Eucalyptus amphitheater while live music and cold bubbles make you appreciate the finer things in life. Either outside on the lawn on giant pillows or in their rustic tasting room. 

There are many good restaurants in the town. The area around Church Street is informally known as the local restaurant district, with approximately 19 venues within a four-block radius.

  • 1 Basic Bistro, 31 Church St, ☏ +27 21 883-3629. Offers a variety of international cuisine. Reviewed by Rossouw's Restaurants - 7/10 food, 8/10 service (updated Feb 2017)
  • 2 The Farmer's Kitchen at Mooiberge Farmstall, cnr R44 and Annandale Road, ☏ +27 21 881 3444. A modern take on many traditional South African food, set in a quirky location next to Mooiberge Farmstall, a pick-your-own strawberry farm and store, where you'll be greeted by their "friendly scarecrows." (updated Feb 2017)
  • 3 Binnenhof (Zest), 2A Ryneveld St, ☏ +27 21 887 9560. Formerly known as Zest. Has a lovely hidden courtyard at the back of the old house. (updated Feb 2017)
  • 4 [formerly dead link] Fandango, Bird St, ☏ +27 21 887-7506. (updated Feb 2017)
  • 5 Java Cafe, 25 Church St, ☏ +27 21 887 6261. (updated Feb 2017)
  • Stellenbosch Kitchen (Corner of Dorp and Andringa Streets), ☏ +27 21 883 2893. (updated Feb 2017)
  • Geuwels (Vergenoegd Wine Estate), 1 Vergenoegd Road, Faure, off R310 (between N2 and R102), ☏ +27 21 843-3248, fax: +27 21 843-3248. W–Su 8–11AM, 11:30AM–3:30PM. Authentic South African food using fresh, seasonal and indigenous ingredients (updated Nov 2021)
  • 6 Wijnhuis, Cnr Church and Andringa, Central, ☏ +27 21 887-5844, . Wijnhuis offers a wine-tasting lounge, wine shop and restaurant in a charming setting in the heart of the old town. It is a bustling meeting place for visitors to Stellenbosch, locals and students alike. (updated Feb 2017)

Drink

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Wine! Stellenbosch is home to some of the best wineries in the world.

Sleep

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Go next

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  • Visit the nearby vineyards of the Cape Winelands. Maps, information on vineyards that receive and accommodate visitors and advice on getting to them is all available from the very helpful people at the Tourism and Information Bureau [formerly dead link] . There are many companies and individuals offering organised and customised tours - or more simply and cheaply, you can take the Vine Hopper minibus which picks up anywhere in central Stellenbosch and takes circular routes around 12 local vineyards (6 each on alternate days). Get off the bus where you want, stay as long as you want, and get on a later bus to take you to the next vineyard or - if you've had enough daytime drinking - back to Stellenbosch. Tickets for the Vine Hopper cost R300 and are available from the Tourism and Information Bureau or the larger hotels. Other activities available in the area include whitewater rafting and tour organizers can also be found at the Bureau.
This city travel guide to Stellenbosch is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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