Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch is a university town of oak-lined streets and whitewashed Cape Dutch houses about 50 km east of Cape Town, on the Eerste River at the foot of Stellenbosch Mountain. Governor Simon van der Stel founded it in 1679, which makes it South Africa’s second oldest town, and the oaks he planted earned it the nickname Eikestad. People come for a day of wine tasting, a walk down Dorp Street and a hike in Jonkershoek, and plenty end up staying a few nights.

Getting there

From Cape Town it is 45 to 50 minutes by car outside rush hour; avoid 8 to 9 in the morning and 4 to 5 in the afternoon. There are two main routes: the N1 then the R304, or the N2 then the R310 (Baden Powell Drive). The N1 is generally thought the safer road after dark. Cape Town International Airport is about 30 km away, roughly 35 minutes.

A Metrorail train runs from Cape Town via Bellville, but it is infrequent and unreliable, and people who have used it advise going in a group, in daylight, outside commuting hours. Uber works for the trip out and between wine farms.

When to go

The climate is Mediterranean: hot, dry summers that can pass 40°C on the worst days, and cool, wet winters with daytime averages around 16°C. Harvest runs through late summer. The tourism office makes a point of winter, with fires lit in tasting rooms and the town much quieter. December and January are peak season across the Cape, so book early.

What to do

Walk Dorp Street, the old main street, for the best run of Cape Dutch buildings. The Stellenbosch Village Museum at 37 Ryneveld Street is four restored houses spanning the town’s history: Schreuderhuis (1709), Blettermanhuis (furnished for 1750 to 1790), Grosvenor House (begun 1782, finished 1803) and Berg House. It opens Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:00, with shorter Sunday hours.

The Stellenbosch Wine Route, set up in 1971, is the oldest in the country, and Neethlingshof dates back to 1692. Hire a driver, join a tour or use the Vine Hopper minibus that loops between estates, and keep your own drinking in check if you are behind the wheel.

Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is 9 km up the valley road. Trails run from the 6.4 km Tweede Waterval walk (about two hours, to a waterfall and river pools) to the 17 km Panorama Circuit (about six hours), which passes Guardian Peak with views down the peninsula to Cape Point. Summer gates open at 07:00, winter at 08:00, and each trail has a start cut-off between 10:00 and 14:00, so arrive early. Watch for puff adders and Cape cobras.

Good to know

Wikivoyage is blunt about safety: do not walk around town at night, take an Uber even for short distances. Daytime in the centre is fine. Jonkershoek’s circular route parking has been closed since 23 March 2026, so check CapeNature’s site before you drive up. Wine farms are busiest at weekends; midweek tastings are calmer.

Last updated 6 October 2026. Sources: Wikivoyage, Wikipedia, Visit Stellenbosch, kimkim, CapeNature, Stellenbosch Museum.