Explore the magical town of Stellenbosch this summer, complete with wine farms, nature escapes, and a rich culture of art and history. Our guide gives you our picks of the best things to do in Stellenbosch.
Winelands Light Railway
The Winelands Light Railway offers both children and adults a memorable train experience, in the form of a trip on either an electric or steam railway. Lasting 7 minutes and covering around 700m, the train journey is designed to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Make a day out of the train experience and bring a picnic to be enjoyed on the beautiful surrounding lawns. An on-site shop provides a variety of snacks and refreshments.
Cost: R90pp (park access & one ride) | R145pp (park access & unlimited rides)
When: Saturday and Sunday | 9am – 4.30pm
Where: R304, Koelenhof, Stellenbosch
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Stellenbosch University Botanical Gardens
Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, in the historical center of Stellenbosch, is the oldest university botanical garden in South Africa. It is open to the public and displays showcase local habitats and conservation issues, South African biomes and plants, medicinal plants and many research and taxon collections from South Africa and around the world.
The Botanical Café offers a perfect place to rest and enjoy the Garden, and the Stellenbosch Garden Gift Shop has an incredible range of botanical products.
Cost: R15 admission
When: Daily | 8am – 5pm
Where: Neethling St &, Van Riebeeck St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch
Village Museum
The Stellenbosch Village Museum currently comprises of four houses of historical interest and their gardens. Each of these beautiful homes represents a different period in the architectural development of Stellenbosch. The houses, their interiors and their gardens have been wonderfully restored, furnished, planted and decorated to illustrate the particular style and taste of the time.
When: Monday – Saturday | 9am – 5pm | Sunday | 10am – 1pm
Where: 18 Ryneveld St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch
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Oom Samie Se Winkel
Visit Oom Samie Se Winkel on Dorp Street and transport yourself back in time. Discover one of the oldest trading businesses in Stellenbosch, and wander through a vintage store that preserves the memory of a traditional trading post.
Oom Samie has been selling on the same premises for more than 100 years. Visit the store and find everything from handmade goods and fresh produce, to a selection of South African spices and teas and vintage keepsakes.
When: Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 4pm | Saturdays: 9am – 5pm | Sundays: 9am – 4pm
Where: 84 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch
Root44 Market
Root44 blends indoor and outdoor spaces into a lively weekend destination filled with food, music, and browsing. Set among vineyards and trees, it has grown since 2012 into a favourite spot for both locals and visitors.
Market days feature more than 40 food vendors serving everything from sushi and pizza to burgers, salads, and baked goods. Alongside the wide choice of meals and drinks — including Stellenbosch wines, cocktails, coffee, smoothies, and juices — visitors can also browse a variety of stalls selling handmade arts, crafts, and other goods.
Live entertainment adds to the atmosphere, with artists performing across genres including blues, jazz, acoustic, and rock. Families are well catered for, with a lawn and water fountain for children, while pets are welcome on a leash. Entry is free, making Root44 an accessible and relaxed venue for all ages to enjoy a day out in the Winelands.
When: Saturday and Sunday | 9am – 5pm
Where: Corner of R44 and, Annandale Rd, Stellenbosch
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Stellenbosch Art Mile
The Stellenbosch Art Mile is a 1.6 km outdoor gallery of sculptures and installations that follows the Eerste River through town. Open year-round, it offers an evolving mix of interactive art and sensory experiences that merge nature, history, and creativity.
Crossing six bridges between Krige Street and Coetzenburg, the route highlights both established and emerging artists. Each work is chosen for its relevance, creativity, and ability to engage visitors through sight, sound, and touch. The project also draws inspiration from Stellenbosch’s landscape and heritage, encouraging dialogue between artists, the community, and the urban environment.
Visit the website for the full route.
Kayamandi Township Tours
Walk through the Kayamandi township and learn more about the history that formed this vibrant community. This walking adventure starts and ends at Amazink, where attendees meet the local resident guide and receive a historic briefing on the area. The journey sets off on foot in a circular route, weaving through shacks and visiting participating community shops, businesses, schools and attractions.
Learn more about the second oldest township in South Africa and its fascinating history.
Bookings can be made on the website.
Cost: R500 pp
When: Monday – Friday | 9am – 11.30am | 2.5 hour tour
Where: Amazink, 118A Masithandane Road, Kayamandi, Stellenbosch
Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre
The Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre provides easy access to some of nature’s most beautiful creatures. With a focus on African wildlife, Giraffe House provides a place for people to enjoy the outdoors and connect with special animals.
Gerry the Giraffe is a key member of the family, but the centre also hosts meerkats, caracals, zebras, porcupines and more. Explore the habitats of these animals and even take your hand at feeding some of the creatures (please note that this activity is only available over weekends).
Cost: R85 (Adults) | R55 (Children)
When: Daily | 9am – 5pm
Where: c/o R304 & R101, Muldersvlei, Cape Town
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Adventure Shop Tours
Adventure Shop Tours offers a variety of guided tours across the Stellenbosch region, including guided bike and e-bike tours, private wine experiences, 4×4 tours, hikes and more. It’s the ideal way to explore Stellenbosch and the surrounding areas, and a unique contribution to your time in the region.
Many of the tours are child-friendly, meaning they can be enjoyed by the whole family. Prices and physical difficulty are dependent on the tour chosen, check out the website for all the information on the tours.
Where: Head office: Adventure Shop Stellenbosch, Landbousaal, 1 Noordwal-Wes Rd, Street, Stellenbosch
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Spier Wine Farm
Spier Wine Farm, located in the Stellenbosch winelands, offers a variety of experiences centreed around wine, food, and outdoor activities.
Visitors can enjoy wine tastings with or without food pairings while overlooking the dam and Helderberg Mountains. Guests can order from a selection of cheese, olive, and cured meat boards to complement their tasting. For dining, Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery serves a range of dishes in a casual setting.
Beyond wine and food, Spier provides several activities for visitors. The farm features a craft market, an elemental garden, and a food garden. Outdoor activities include a vineyard Segway tour, self-guided walks, and a mountain bike trail. The wine blending experience allows guests to create their own unique wine. Accommodation is available at the Spier Hotel, and a spa offers relaxation options for those looking to unwind.
Book on the website.
Where: R310 Baden Powell Dr, Stellenbosch
Lanzerac Wine Estate
Lanzerac Wine Estate is a historic landmark and Stellenbosch icon. Nestled in the foothills of the idyllic Jonkershoek Valley of Stellenbosch, the Lanzerac Wine Estate is flanked by towering mountains and surrounded by rows of lush vineyards, the perfect retreat for all day visitors.
The estate offers multiple restaurants, a tasting room and deli, and an idyllic spa for a perfect day out. Turn the day into the weekend with luxury accommodation options.
Bookings can be made on the website.
Where: Lanzerac Road, Stellenbosch
Klein Welmoed
Klein Welmoed Guesthouse, set in the heart of the Cape Winelands, has become a top destination offering accommodation and a home base for many a traveller with facilities for conferences, functions and weddings.
During summer, guests can enjoy the sparkling swimming pool set in the large manicured garden. Other activities to be enjoyed on this expansive property are running, walking, cycling, wildlife, birding and picnics, as well as enjoying the delectable wine and olive oil made on-site.
Bookings can be made on the website.
Where: Raithby/Annandale Road, Off Winery Road, Stellenbosch
Rust en Vrede
With a rich history and a robust range of wine varieties, Rust en Vrede is one of the most iconic wine farms in the Stellenbosch area. With an intimate wine tasting room, restaurant and beautiful surrounding nature, Rust en Vrede is the perfect place for a luxurious day out.
Reservations can be made on the website.
Where: Annandale Rd, Stellenbosch
Tokara Wine Estate
Best known for its award-winning wines, olive oils, fusion of art and wine, and fine dining. Visitors can enjoy wine and olive oil tastings in a modern lounge overlooking False Bay and Table Mountain, with the added opportunity to view the fermentation cellar. Tastings often include cheese platters and olive oils, considered among the finest in the country.
The Tokara Restaurant, opened in 2001, is one of the Cape Winelands’ earliest iconic winery restaurants. Under head chef Carolize’s leadership, it has received notable recognition, including the 2020 JHP Gourmet Guide’s Haute Performance Award. With dramatic views across Stellenbosch and False Bay, the estate also serves as a venue for weddings, corporate functions, and private celebrations, complemented by the Tokara Delicatessen for more casual events.
Where: Helshoogte Rd, Stellenbosch
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
This nature reserve is home to the majestic Jonkershoek Mountains and parts of the Jonkershoek valley. Mountain biking, swimming, hiking and walking are all popular activities within this reserve, and it connects to the smaller Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve.
Jonkershoek is a perfect for a day out in nature, especially as the weather continues to get warmer.
Cost: R70 pp | R50 U18
When: Daily | 7am – 4pm
Where: Jonkershoek Rd, Stellenbosch
Waterford Wine Estate
Waterford Wine Estate, set in the Blaauwklippen Valley, is known for its Mediterranean-inspired architecture, scenic vineyards, and signature experiences like the Wine and Chocolate Pairing and Wine Drive Safari. Half of the estate is dedicated to indigenous flora, while its wines, led by acclaimed red blend The Jem, capture the spirit of the Helderberg.
When: Daily | 10am – 5pm
Where: Upper Blaauwklippen Rd, Helderberg Rural, Stellenbosch
Botmaskop Hike
Botmaskop is a 910m peak of approximately an 8km hike in the Jonkershoek ranges. The hike follows a spur through municipal tree plantations before it steepens sharply into the fynbos. The hike is a challenging but refreshing one.
Where: Rozendal, Stellenbosch
Delaire Graff Estate
Delaire Graff Estate, set on the Helshoogte Pass, combines breathtaking views with world-class luxury. Known for its art-filled gardens, fine dining, award-winning wines, and opulent lodges, the estate offers an unforgettable blend of culture, relaxation, and elegance.
When: Daily | 10am – 8pm
Where: Helshoogte Rd, Stellenbosch
Klein Zalze Wines
Kleine Zalze, just outside Stellenbosch, spans around 120 hectares of vineyards on diverse soils cooled by Atlantic breezes. Revitalized in 1996, the estate combines meticulous winemaking with sustainable practices to produce balanced, high-quality wines. Beyond winemaking, it offers a tasting center, restaurant, lodge, and golf course, making it a full lifestyle destination.
Where: Strand Road (R44), Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch Mountain Trail
The Stellenbosch Mountain Trail offers a challenging yet rewarding hike, ascending approximately 950 meters over 12 kilometers. Starting from Coetzenburg, the route leads hikers past Tweede Kruis and continues through rugged terrain, including four peaks and sections requiring light scrambling.
The summit provides panoramic views of the Jonkershoek Valley, False Bay, and the Cape Winelands. The descent demands caution due to loose rocks, but the spectacular scenery makes the effort worthwhile.
Where: Hottentots-Holland Nature Reserve
Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate
Set in the Bottelary Valley near Stellenbosch, where vineyards and mountain views shape the backdrop. The estate brings together golf, accommodation, dining, and wine production, giving visitors a range of experiences in one location.
The 18-hole championship golf course, originally designed by Ken Elkin, remains a central draw and is well-regarded for its layout and upkeep. Visitors can also stay overnight in the on-site hotel, which offers four-star accommodation alongside a swimming pool and access to walking and cycling routes. Chez Shiraz restaurant provides meals with views across the fairways and vineyards.
Devonvale is frequently chosen as a setting for weddings, conferences, and private functions, thanks to its gardens and scenery. Since 1999, vineyards planted along the course have also added a wine dimension, with production growing steadily over the years under the Broad Reach label.
When: Daily | 6am – 10pm
Where: Bottelary Rd, Stellenbosch
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Coetzenburg Mountain Trail
The Coetzenburg Mountain Trail offers a moderately challenging hike suitable for those with a good fitness level. Starting from the Coetzenburg sports fields, hikers ascend via a jeep track leading to the first cross. The path continues steeply, with sections of loose rock and stones, requiring careful footing.
The trail provides panoramic views of Stellenbosch, Table Mountain, and False Bay. While the summit offers rewarding vistas, the descent can be tricky due to the terrain, so caution is advised. The hike is approximately 5.6 kilometers one-way, with an elevation gain of about 940 meters.
