Marguerite's Guidebook
Gallery’s
Collection of famous South African artists.
A gallery that offer sculptures and art from a number of era's from Boesman times to space age. Guided tours of the Rupert Museum are run every Wednesday and Friday between 11am and 2pm. Visit their website for more information and bookings.
45 Einheimische empfehlen
Rupert Museum
Stellentia RoadA gallery that offer sculptures and art from a number of era's from Boesman times to space age. Guided tours of the Rupert Museum are run every Wednesday and Friday between 11am and 2pm. Visit their website for more information and bookings.
SMAC Gallery
The Franschhoek Motor Museum offers visitors a special opportunity to look back at more than 100 years of motoring history. Book your tickets online.
75 Einheimische empfehlen
Franschhoek Motor Museum
R45The Franschhoek Motor Museum offers visitors a special opportunity to look back at more than 100 years of motoring history. Book your tickets online.
Music concerts
Around the corner enjoy the music concerts - free between 12:30 - 13:30.
See programs
ENDLER
Places to visit
Must visit spot's whilst spending time in Stellenbosch.
Enjoy a walk in the garden's, Summers day picnic, Farm fresh veggies, meat and treats from the Farm Shop and so much more. Make sure to add them to our list of place to visit when in Stellenbosch.
130 Einheimische empfehlen
Boschendal Wine Estate
Enjoy a walk in the garden's, Summers day picnic, Farm fresh veggies, meat and treats from the Farm Shop and so much more. Make sure to add them to our list of place to visit when in Stellenbosch.
This farm should be on the top of your list of places to visit when you are in the Winelands. Beautifully curated gardens, fresh and season restaurants, Butchery and fresh produce shops. Don't forget to feed the donkey's. Exquisite wine cellar/tasting room and enjoy a walk through their production houses to see what they are up too daily.
191 Einheimische empfehlen
Babylonstoren Wine Estate
Klapmuts - Simondium RoadThis farm should be on the top of your list of places to visit when you are in the Winelands. Beautifully curated gardens, fresh and season restaurants, Butchery and fresh produce shops. Don't forget to feed the donkey's. Exquisite wine cellar/tasting room and enjoy a walk through their production houses to see what they are up too daily.
A magnificent garden covering 4km of path ways through unique sculptures curated by Dylan Lewis. The garden is situated in Paradyskloof, one of the neighbourhoods in Stellenbosch. Make sure to book your ticket online.
32 Einheimische empfehlen
Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden
A magnificent garden covering 4km of path ways through unique sculptures curated by Dylan Lewis. The garden is situated in Paradyskloof, one of the neighbourhoods in Stellenbosch. Make sure to book your ticket online.
Decameron restaurant
Famous for their Winemaker's lunch paired with outstanding R&V wines. They also have an amazing restaurant for dinners, from a Tuesday to Saturday. Booking is essential.
68 Einheimische empfehlen
Rust en Vrede Wine Estate
Annandale RoadFamous for their Winemaker's lunch paired with outstanding R&V wines. They also have an amazing restaurant for dinners, from a Tuesday to Saturday. Booking is essential.
The famous contemporary steakhouse in Stellenbosch with an extensive wine selection. Perfect for casual lunch and high-end dinners. Book well in advance to avoid disappointment. A brisk 2-minute walk from Life and Leisure.
71 Einheimische empfehlen
The Fat Butcher
1 Van Riebeeck StThe famous contemporary steakhouse in Stellenbosch with an extensive wine selection. Perfect for casual lunch and high-end dinners. Book well in advance to avoid disappointment. A brisk 2-minute walk from Life and Leisure.
Best sushi in Stellenbosch. They have the most amazing speciality dishes, you will want to try it all. Find them in the De Wet Square, a short 8-minute stroll from Life and Leisure.
31 Einheimische empfehlen
Genki
Church StreetBest sushi in Stellenbosch. They have the most amazing speciality dishes, you will want to try it all. Find them in the De Wet Square, a short 8-minute stroll from Life and Leisure.
Lovely spot to get the evening started with great wine and MCC from Bartinney.
37 Einheimische empfehlen
Bartinney Wine & Champagne Bar
5 Bird StLovely spot to get the evening started with great wine and MCC from Bartinney.
La Coco C - Food Purveyors. A must visit eatery in Stellenbosch and it is a short 5 min walk from Life and Leisure.
Healthy, Protein loaded and Vegan options.
La Coco C Stellenbosch
La Coco C - Food Purveyors. A must visit eatery in Stellenbosch and it is a short 5 min walk from Life and Leisure.
Healthy, Protein loaded and Vegan options.
About
TOURING THE TOWN OF OAKS: A PLACE OF RICH CULTURE AND VIBRANT CHARACTER
Just like bread goes with butter, Stellenbosch has been tightly coupled with the concept of wine – the region’s vineyard route is renowned worldwide as the source of superb reds and whites, and few would dare visit this destination without making a stop at several of the over 200 farms that sprawl across the valley. But the truth is, this kinship between the area and vino has, in fact, done the district a grave injustice, not least because the town’s grand status as the place to sip and swirl has masked the fact that there’s worlds more to this charming dorp than Shiraz and Chenin Blanc.
It’s a place of romance, of culture, of soul and character, of friendly faces and warm smiles, and as the second oldest settlement in South Africa, it’s also a place of significant history. The village has a heritage that reaches all the way back to 1679 when Simon van der Stel, the governor of the Cape Colony, first set up camp on the banks of the Eerste River, and despite several major fires that wiped out much of the hamlet in the 18th and 19th centuries, it still remains one of the most well-preserved examples of yesteryear that the nation has.
Stellenbosch is home to the oldest inn (Oude Werf), the second oldest pub (De Akker) and the oldest existing urban house in the country, and it’s base to the republic’s only remaining weaponry collection from the Dutch East India Company era. The borough’s storied past is also visible in the Cape Dutch-, Georgian- and Victorian-style architecture of the sturdy, white buildings that line the roads and in the tall ancient oak trees that arc lazily over the streets (hence the nickname ‘Town of Oaks’). Plus, it lives on in the multiple museums – they’re well worth a visit – that take guests straight back to the time of bonnets, horse-drawn carriages and candlesticks.
And yet despite the sense of nostalgia that seeps out of every pavement crack and dances around every gabled facade, the town is abuzz with a contemporary living culture. An aura of innovation and progress is palpable in the air, largely thanks to the hundreds of students that flock to learn at the renowned Stellenbosch University, bringing with them the vigour of youth, and also due to the thriving tech and business industry that’s taken hold of the dorp in recent years.
Not to mention, there’s a distinct creative energy here that’s reflected in the myriad of modern art galleries that populate the urban centre (there’s now even a defined art route), the various striking public sculptures, the assortment of upscale design boutiques and the collection of theatres that regularly put on top-notch shows and productions.
And then there’s also the area’s dynamic, fast-developing culinary scene. A kaleidoscope of acclaimed eateries have popped up on surrounding wine farms in the past decade, and the town centre itself is a food lover’s dream, with delightful coffee shops, cosy bistros and contemporary fine dining restaurants on almost every corner (read more about eating out in Stellenbosch). Similarly, on weekends various vibrant markets lend the dorp a festive buzz and give locals and day-trippers the opportunity to sample home-cooked eats and purchase plump, fresh produce.
Somehow though, in spite of the way in which Stellenbosch has transformed into a bustling, modern hub, it still manages to retain a laidback small-town feel – residents typically favour walking or cycling places – and a deep connection to its natural surrounds. Accordingly, just beyond the heart of the village, visitors can completely immerse themselves in the tranquillity of the countryside while participating in a number of outdoor activities, like hiking or mountain biking in the nearby Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, 4x4ing through mountains and valleys or horse riding amongst wild game.
Alternatively, non-adventurous types can busy themselves with something a little more low-key, such as golf, picnicking, wine tasting, brandy sampling or strawberry picking (in season), or they can spend several hours exploring the neighbouring township of Kayamandi and chatting to all the colourful residents – this lively suburb is as well worth a visit as the leafy core of the town. There’s even plenty for children and families to get involved in, including paintball, a permanent kiddies’ play carnival and a wildlife awareness centre (see our comprehensive overview of things to do in Stellenbosch for both youngsters and grown-ups).
Something decidedly more adult-orientated, though, is Stellenbosch’s animated nightlife scene, which, contrary to the cliché, isn’t just a mishmash of debauchery-filled student clubs and bars. There’s a vibey café culture that sees the streets come alive with clinking glasses and chit-chat post-sunset, and many pubs and eateries host live music gigs, movie screenings, pub quizzes, demo cooking sessions and more. Not to mention, the courageous can even embark on an eerie ghost tour of the town – after all, when a place has this much history, it’s bound to be home to a few dark, haunted corners.
Naturally, to get a proper feel for the after-dark landscape, it’s advisable to stay over an evening or two, and conveniently, the region does lay claim to a multitude of handsome accommodation options, from luxury lodges to budget B&Bs. In fact, this one-of-a-kind destination is deeply deserving of more than just a day trip, and really, you’ll want to take the time to soak up the spirit of Stellenbosch, get to know her lovely people, hear their heart-warming stories and discover for yourself why this whimsical town is about much more than wine tasting.
39 Einheimische empfehlen
Stellenbosch Central
And yet despite the sense of nostalgia that seeps out of every pavement crack and dances around every gabled facade, the town is abuzz with a contemporary living culture. An aura of innovation and progress is palpable in the air, largely thanks to the hundreds of students that flock to learn at the renowned Stellenbosch University, bringing with them the vigour of youth, and also due to the thriving tech and business industry that’s taken hold of the dorp in recent years.
Not to mention, there’s a distinct creative energy here that’s reflected in the myriad of modern art galleries that populate the urban centre (there’s now even a defined art route), the various striking public sculptures, the assortment of upscale design boutiques and the collection of theatres that regularly put on top-notch shows and productions.
And then there’s also the area’s dynamic, fast-developing culinary scene. A kaleidoscope of acclaimed eateries have popped up on surrounding wine farms in the past decade, and the town centre itself is a food lover’s dream, with delightful coffee shops, cosy bistros and contemporary fine dining restaurants on almost every corner (read more about eating out in Stellenbosch). Similarly, on weekends various vibrant markets lend the dorp a festive buzz and give locals and day-trippers the opportunity to sample home-cooked eats and purchase plump, fresh produce.
Somehow though, in spite of the way in which Stellenbosch has transformed into a bustling, modern hub, it still manages to retain a laidback small-town feel – residents typically favour walking or cycling places – and a deep connection to its natural surrounds. Accordingly, just beyond the heart of the village, visitors can completely immerse themselves in the tranquillity of the countryside while participating in a number of outdoor activities, like hiking or mountain biking in the nearby Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, 4x4ing through mountains and valleys or horse riding amongst wild game.
Alternatively, non-adventurous types can busy themselves with something a little more low-key, such as golf, picnicking, wine tasting, brandy sampling or strawberry picking (in season), or they can spend several hours exploring the neighbouring township of Kayamandi and chatting to all the colourful residents – this lively suburb is as well worth a visit as the leafy core of the town. There’s even plenty for children and families to get involved in, including paintball, a permanent kiddies’ play carnival and a wildlife awareness centre (see our comprehensive overview of things to do in Stellenbosch for both youngsters and grown-ups).
Something decidedly more adult-orientated, though, is Stellenbosch’s animated nightlife scene, which, contrary to the cliché, isn’t just a mishmash of debauchery-filled student clubs and bars. There’s a vibey café culture that sees the streets come alive with clinking glasses and chit-chat post-sunset, and many pubs and eateries host live music gigs, movie screenings, pub quizzes, demo cooking sessions and more. Not to mention, the courageous can even embark on an eerie ghost tour of the town – after all, when a place has this much history, it’s bound to be home to a few dark, haunted corners.
Naturally, to get a proper feel for the after-dark landscape, it’s advisable to stay over an evening or two, and conveniently, the region does lay claim to a multitude of handsome accommodation options, from luxury lodges to budget B&Bs. In fact, this one-of-a-kind destination is deeply deserving of more than just a day trip, and really, you’ll want to take the time to soak up the spirit of Stellenbosch, get to know her lovely people, hear their heart-warming stories and discover for yourself why this whimsical town is about much more than wine tasting.
Outdoor activities
Great choice for trail running and mountain biking. Various trails and tracks for the beginner and more advanced runner/rider. Beautiful waterfall trails.
175 Einheimische empfehlen
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
Jonkershoek RoadGreat choice for trail running and mountain biking. Various trails and tracks for the beginner and more advanced runner/rider. Beautiful waterfall trails.
Majestic mountain trails for running and MTB cyclists. Various lengths with superb singletracks. Starting point - Bethlehem Farm Gate in Kylemore
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Banhoek Conservancy
Majestic mountain trails for running and MTB cyclists. Various lengths with superb singletracks. Starting point - Bethlehem Farm Gate in Kylemore
Excellent trails for runners, mountain bikers and extreme downhillers. 22km's of singletrack - not too technical. Start from the Trail centre at Plaisir Wine Estate.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Plaisir de Merle
Excellent trails for runners, mountain bikers and extreme downhillers. 22km's of singletrack - not too technical. Start from the Trail centre at Plaisir Wine Estate.
Pack in your Golf club's, Stellenbosch and surrounds have plenty on offer.
26 Einheimische empfehlen
De Zalze Golf Club
R44Pack in your Golf club's, Stellenbosch and surrounds have plenty on offer.
Prestine Golf course in the heart of the Helderberg. A 25-minute drive from Stellenbosch.
27 Einheimische empfehlen
Erinvale Golf Club
Lourensford RoadPrestine Golf course in the heart of the Helderberg. A 25-minute drive from Stellenbosch.