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If you’re dreaming of a Western Cape holiday that is slow and indulgent, with days spent walking through sunlit vineyards, viewing art and taking in those warm South African vibes, then perhaps your next stop should be Stellenbosch.
Tucked within the Western Cape’s mountain folds, this town has mastered fine wine without pretension. It has a deep heritage fused with a modern way of living, and it is surrounded by nature that still takes your breath away, no matter how many times you visit.
Stellenbosch has a way of effortlessly drawing you in, and whether you’re wandering the old streets enjoying the architecture, some of which dates back to the 1600s, sipping a delicious vintage or two on a wine tasting tour, or simply sitting back on a terrace overlooking the vines, a trip to this old town is one you won’t soon forget.
To whet your travel appetite, let us take you on a tour of Stellenbosch. Before you dig into our guide about one of South Africa’s most popular tourist towns, have a look at our video.
Destination Highlights
During the height of summer, when the Cape is hot and dry, and the wine farms are hanging heavy with bunches upon bunches of ripening grapes, one of the best things to do is to find a shady spot, under a pergola covered in grape vines or an oak tree, and order a platter of cheeses, breads and wine.
As a destination that tends to revolve around the wine industry, tasting your way around the town is one of the most popular things to do, but in and around Stellenbosch, you will also find a variety of interesting destinations, some arty, some historical, and every one of them capable of becoming a highlight of your holiday.
Dylan Lewis Studio & Sculpture Garden
There’s art, and then there’s the living, breathing kind you find at the Dylan Lewis Studio & Sculpture Garden.
Set on the edge of Stellenbosch, Dylan Lewis has created a place where his fascinating statues coexist with the fynbos in a way that almost looks as though the bronze is part of the natural scenery.
The sculpture garden project began in 2009, and Lewis spent 2 years using earth-moving equipment to contour the garden, applying the same sculpting principles that he used for his art, as well as taking inspiration from the various Japanese gardens he admired.
He turned a flat piece of farmland into a garden with hills, water features and valleys, creating a space that looked as though it had always been there.
The garden has become a conversation between earth, form, and imagination.
Recommended Activities:
- Explore the walking trails through the sculpture garden
- Visit the artist’s studio for a guided insight into his creative process
- Enjoy a private picnic among the fynbos
- Photograph the garden at golden hour for truly breathtaking shots
Lanzerac Wine Estate
Lanzerac Wine Estate was first established in 1692, just over 20 years after the town was established. It has an old Cape heritage and is situated just outside of Stellenbosch, in the beautiful Jonkershoek Valley.
The estate has a manor house, rows upon rows of vineyards, and stunning gardens shaded by old oak trees.
In 1959, the Lanzerac Hotel was created, and guests who stay here are treated to a French way of life. Along with having a 5-star country hotel, there’s also an on-site spa and fine dining restaurant, which make it an indulgent retreat for anyone craving a little refined relaxation.
Lanzerac is best known for its wines, especially the legendary Pinotage, which carries the weight of the estate’s prestigious history. Some of the wine ranges produced here include Jonkershoek, Heritage, and Keldermeester Versameling, which is a limited release of artisanal wines curated by Wynand Lategan, the estate’s Cellar Master.
Recommended Activities:
- Book a guided wine tasting tour in Stellenbosch at the Lanzerac cellar
- Savour a multi-course lunch at the estate restaurant
- Enjoy an afternoon tea beneath ancient oak trees
- Stay overnight in Lanzerac’s five-star Stellenbosch accommodation
Delaire Graff Estate
Perched high above the Stellenbosch winelands, you’ll find the Delaire Graff Estate, a place that has been dubbed “The Jewel of the Cape Winelands”, and it is spectacularly beautiful.
At the estate, you can view world-class art, walk through manicured gardens bursting with colour, and dine in glass-walled dining rooms with sweeping valley views.
The estate’s wines are as soft and graceful as the estate’s natural surroundings, with bright Chenins and complex Cabernets all perfectly matured.
Delaire is rather unique in that, along with buying wine, you can also purchase luxury fine jewellery, hand-made by the estate’s master goldsmiths, and shop for clothing inspired by Capri.
It’s a destination that seduces both the palate and the eye, and it has become a favourite stop on most Stellenbosch wine tour itineraries.
Recommended Activities:
- Enjoy a premium tasting paired with seasonal bites
- Dine at Indochine or Delaire Graff Restaurant for a gourmet experience
- Admire artworks from Laurence Graff’s private collection
- Browse the on-site boutiques for jewellery and designer pieces
Vriesenhof Vineyards
Set against the Stellenbosch mountains, Vriesenhof is a traditional wine farm which prides itself on creating the perfect Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Each vintage of wine has a unique taste, with the farms’ changing climate adding a new twist to the depth of the wines each year, and the rich soil of shale and granite giving the Cabernet Sauvignon, in particular, an interesting flavour.
Walking the grounds will have you feeling as though you have taken a step back into old Stellenbosch, where craftsmanship and connection to the land still reign supreme.
If you love wine, Vriesenhof is your kind of place.
Recommended Activities:
- Taste small-lot wines guided by the winemaker
- Tour the cellar to learn about traditional winemaking methods
- Enjoy a picnic among the vines
- Visit nearby estates inspired by the Hemel-en-Aarde influence
5 Interesting Facts About Stellenbosch
Before you swirl your next glass of Cabernet or wander down one of its oak-lined streets, here are a few fascinating facts about Stellenbosch:
It’s South Africa’s Second Oldest Town
Founded in 1679, Stellenbosch is South Africa’s second-oldest town.
Meandering along its cobble-stoned, oak-lined avenues is like walking through a living museum, where Cape Dutch gables, whitewashed homesteads, and centuries-old wine estates stand gracefully alongside sleek cafés and design studios.
It’s Nicknamed the City of Oaks
Stellenbosch’s affectionate nickname, “Eikestad”, literally means “City of Oaks” in Afrikaans.
Early settlers planted these majestic trees to provide shade and beauty, and today their canopies still arch over the town’s avenues like natural cathedrals.
Walking beneath them, especially in late summer when sunlight filters through their leaves, you can feel how nature has always shaped the town.
It’s Home to an Academic Powerhouse
Home to Stellenbosch University, one of Africa’s most prestigious institutions, the town has an enduring youthful energy.
Aside from academia, the campus contributes to the town’s dynamic art, music, and café culture with its open-air performances, student-run pop-ups, and research that fuels sustainable viticulture.
It has a Wine Tram
For travellers dreaming of a wine tasting tour in Stellenbosch, the Stellenbosch Wine Tram is iconic.
This hop-on-hop-off experience winds through rolling vineyards and historic estates, linking some of the best vineyards in Stellenbosch without the need for a designated driver.
Each line will give you a slightly different route, letting you put together your own journey that includes wine farms, gourmet restaurants, and art.
It has Art
Stellenbosch is a creative sanctuary.
The town’s art scene hums quietly yet confidently, with independent galleries, open studios, and sculpture gardens scattered across the region.
Spaces like the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden and Rupert Museum showcase how art and nature converse here, while the streets of the historic centre are lined with murals and installations by emerging South African artists.
The Most Prestigious Wine Industry
South Africa’s wine industry is one of the oldest outside Europe, and the vineyards around Stellenbosch are among the oldest in the country.
The vineyards, which sit beneath mountains and are cooled by False Bay breezes, grow about 14% of the country’s vines.
Over 150 estates, including Kanonkop, Simonsig and Reyneke, turn out world-class Cabernet, Pinotage, Syrah, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. And every bottle has its own personality, infused with flavours from the granite slopes and red clay soils.
The Stellenbosch Wine Route, the first in SA (launched 1971), pulls in hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to taste wines in stunning Cape Dutch cellars, and around 90% of the wines here carry the official green sustainability seal.
In short, Stellenbosch is a mixture of centuries of tradition and cutting-edge winemaking, putting South African bottles on the world’s top tables.
You don’t have to be an oenophile to fall in love with Stellenbosch, but if you do have a quiet love affair with wine and you want to travel South Africa’s wine route, this is the town to visit.
Stellenbosch combines scenic vineyards, historic architecture, and contemporary art in one region. It marries the deep roots of winemaking with warm-hearted hospitality and a setting made for slowing down and savouring the moment.
The town is often called “Eikestad” or “Town of Oaks” due to its long avenues of oak trees and heritage buildings.
The primary languages are Afrikaans and English, with English widely spoken in hospitality and tourism settings.
Late summer through early autumn (February to April) is an excellent time: vineyard colours deepen, harvest vibes build, and the weather remains warm and pleasant.
Yes, Stellenbosch is one of South Africa’s premier wine regions, celebrated for its vineyard estates, diverse terroir and centuries-old wine heritage.
