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Where to stay in Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is a historic university town in South Africa's Cape Winelands, about 50 kilometres east of Cape Town, with oak-lined streets, Cape Dutch buildings and wine farms all around. Stay in the walkable town centre for restaurants and history, or on a wine estate in the surrounding valleys for vineyard views.
Stellenbosch town centre
The centre around Dorp Street and the Braak has guesthouses and boutique hotels in old buildings. You can walk to restaurants, galleries, the Village Museum and student cafes, and take wine tours from town. It is the most convenient base without a car.
Wine estates in the valleys
Many wine farms around Stellenbosch, in areas such as the Helshoogte Pass and the Jonkershoek Valley, have guest suites and restaurants. You wake up among the vines and mountains, but you will need a driver or car to reach other estates.
Franschhoek (nearby)
About 30 kilometres east, Franschhoek is a small valley town founded by Huguenot settlers, known for its restaurants and wine estates. The Franschhoek Wine Tram runs hop-on hop-off routes between farms. Many visitors split their stay between the two.
One thing to think about
Do not drink and drive between wine farms; use the hop-on hop-off wine tours, a driver or bicycle tours instead. Load shedding (scheduled power cuts) has affected South Africa in recent years; ask whether your accommodation has backup power.
Once you have a bed
The things that sell out first in Stellenbosch are the small-group tours and the skip-the-line tickets.
Common questions
How many wine farms can I visit in a day?
Three or four tastings a day is plenty if you want to enjoy them. Many estates offer tastings with food pairings, cellar tours or lunch. Book ahead at popular estates, especially on weekends and in the summer holidays from December to January.
Is Stellenbosch a good day trip from Cape Town?
Yes, it is about an hour's drive from Cape Town, and many tours visit both Stellenbosch and Franschhoek in a day. But staying one or two nights lets you enjoy the restaurants and the countryside without rushing, and avoid the drive back after tastings.
When is the best time to visit Stellenbosch?
Summer, from about November to March, is warm and dry, with the harvest from about February to March. Autumn colours in April and May are beautiful. Winter is cooler and wetter, quieter and cheaper, with cosy fireside tastings.
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