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    Stellenbosch
    Steven Morrow / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

    South Africa

    Stellenbosch

    CityCulture

    Stellenbosch is the centre of the Cape Winelands, about 50 kilometres east of Cape Town.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. South Africa
    7. Cape Wineland
    9. Stellenbosch
    Stellenbosch is the centre of the Cape Winelands, about 50 kilometres east of Cape Town. The university town, founded in 1679, is, after Cape Town, the country's second-oldest European settlement, with Cape Dutch gabled houses under ancient oaks and well over a hundred surrounding wineries.

    Sights in Stellenbosch

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Grosvenor House

    1Grosvenor House

    Manor house from the early 19th century and part of the Stellenbosch Village Museum. The furnished rooms show how wealthy families lived at the Cape at that time.
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    Rupert Museum

    2Rupert Museum

    Art museum on the outskirts featuring the entrepreneurial Rupert family's collection: 20th-century South African paintings, sculptures, and tapestries, including Irma Stern and Anton van Wouw.
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    Attraction

    3Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden

    Small, tranquil garden in the heart of the city with greenhouses, Fynbos, succulents, and a bonsai collection. You can enjoy a pleasant break at the garden cafe.
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    Museum

    4Stellenbosch Village Museum

    A museum complex of restored houses in the historic center, each representing a different era from the late 17th to 19th century. The best introduction to the city's history.
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    City walks in Stellenbosch

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Stellenbosch on Foot: A Journey Through Time in Cape Dutch Charm

    Discover the heart of Stellenbosch on this two-hour tour. Stroll beneath historic oak avenues, admire the unique Cape Dutch architecture and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the university town. From botanical gardens to charming art galleries, experience the rich history and culture of this South African gem.

    ~2 Std. 10 Min.
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    Stops (6)

    Essen & Trinken

    The Fat Butcher

    Restaurant in 1 Van Riebeeck St.
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    Balboa Balcony Bar

    Bar in 18A Andringa St.
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    Brampton Wine Studio

    Bar in 11 Church St.
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    De Warenmarkt

    Restaurant in 20 Ryneveld St.
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    1

    Overture

    Genieße preisgekrönte Küche inmitten der malerischen Weinberge. Chef Bertus Bassons Overture bietet ein unvergessliches Geschmackserlebnis mit frischen, saisonalen Zutaten.
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    Stellenbosch's rich history and cultural heritage

    Stellenbosch, South Africa's second oldest European settlement, was founded in 1679 by Simon van der Stel and has since shaped the region's historical and cultural landscape. The town rapidly developed into an important agricultural centre, particularly for viticulture, significantly influenced by early Dutch settlers and later by the expertise of French Huguenots.Stellenbosch's architecture is a testament to this rich past. The Cape Dutch style is particularly distinctive, with its characteristic gabled houses and whitewashed facades that can still be admired along the historic Dorp Street today. Additionally, influences of Victorian and Georgian architecture complement the townscape.Culturally, Stellenbosch is inextricably linked to its centuries-old winemaking tradition and Stellenbosch University, which plays a significant role in South Africa's intellectual life. Numerous art galleries and museums, such as the Rupert Museum and the Dorf-Museum, preserve and present the region's artistic and historical heritage. The town is also a centre for Afrikaans language and culture.

    Nightlife

    1

    The Valley

    16 Du Toit St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch, 7600, Südafrika
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    2

    PANE E VINO FOOD & WINE BAR

    Bar in Bosman's Crossing.
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    3

    Bertha Wine Bar

    Bar in 43 Church St.
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    4

    Centraal Restobar

    Bar in 134 Bird St.
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    5

    Petites Bulles Champagne Lounge

    Bar in 5 Herte St.
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    6

    Catwalk

    Andringa St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch, 7600, Südafrika
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    Traveling in Stellenbosch

    You explore the center on foot. For the wineries, take a rental car, bike, or a guided wine bus. For evenings and wine tastings, use Uber or Bolt. Cape Town Airport is around a 40-minute drive.

    Accommodations in Stellenbosch

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    Plan your trip to Stellenbosch

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      Trip to Stellenbosch

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      • 1Grosvenor House3 days
      • 2Rupert Museum4 days
      • 3Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden5 days
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    Nearby

    Cape Wineland

    Cape Wineland

    The Cape Winelands begin about an hour's drive east of Cape Town and are the most famous wine region in Africa. Amidst rugged mountain ranges lie hundreds of wineries with Cape Dutch manor houses, along with the historic towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl.
    Paarl

    Paarl

    Paarl is the largest town in the Cape Winelands, about 60 kilometers northeast of Cape Town. Above it rise the smooth granite domes of Paarl Mountain, from which the town gets its name: After rain, they glisten like pearls. All around are large wineries such as Fairview and KWV.
    Franschhoek

    Franschhoek

    Franschhoek is located in a valley surrounded by mountains, approximately 75 kilometers east of Cape Town. Huguenots settled here at the end of the 17th century, a fact commemorated by the Huguenot Monument and many French winery names. Today, the town is considered a culinary center of the Cape Winelands, accessible notably via the Franschhoek Wine Tram.
    Cape Town

    Cape Town

    Cape Town is situated between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean and, with approximately 4.8 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, is South Africa's second-largest city. The city combines colonial history, the memory of Apartheid on Robben Island, and a vibrant restaurant and art scene with beaches, hiking trails, and wine regions right on its doorstep.
    V&A Waterfront

    V&A Waterfront

    The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is Cape Town's redeveloped old harbour, with Table Mountain as its backdrop. Amidst fishing trawlers, seals, and historic harbour buildings, you'll find shopping centres, restaurants, hotels, the Zeitz MOCAA, and the Two Oceans Aquarium. Ferries to Robben Island also depart from here.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI