Stellenbosch Tourism And Travel Guide

Stellenbosch exhibits a small-town ambiance with an easy-going lifestyle where music, art, and theatrics prevail. The South African city has gained popularity all over the globe for its innovatory wine cellars and the delectable wine tasting prospects on offer. The town offers tourists with different ways to explore its streets and vineyards, including scootours, electric bike rides, horse rides, and even walking tours. The breathtaking mountain tops that surround Stellenbosch also offer great tourism to adventurers, with interesting treks and hikes along their tricky slopes. Let us walk through this travel guide of Stellenbosch to understand how these intriguing factors favor tourism prospects within the city.

By Air:

Airways form the quickest way to reach Stellenbosch. Cape Town International Airport lies closest to the city, situated approximately 50 km away from the central area. Stellenbosch is well connected to cities like Durban and Johannesburg, with prime air carriers such as Emirates, South African Airways, and Lufthansa plying through this route.

By Rail:

The metro rail system of Stellenbosch offers excellent connectivity to the neighboring city of Cape Town. Located around 1.5 km away from Stellenbosch, Adam Tas Road houses the closest metro station. With affordable rates and comfortable travel, these trains form apt options to commute through the city.

By Road:

Stellenbosch enjoys good connectivity to neighboring towns such as Cape Town, with national roads like N1 and N2 passing through its territory. Prime transportation providers such as Translux, Intercape, and Greyhound ply their buses in and out of the city. Tourists can also hire local van services to take a tour of the interiors of Stellenbosch.

Owing to its tropical essence, Stellenbosch witnesses a tropical climate with some precipitation coming through now and then. The temperatures remain warm for most parts of the year, alternating between 15°C and 30°C. 

Spring (August to Mid-October):

Stellenbosch witnesses temperate weather during the spring season, with temperatures ranging between 14°C and 20°C. The pleasant climate allows several fragrant flowers to bloom all around the city's landscapes, attracting many tourists. With large creatures such as whales and dolphins making their way to the adjacent coastal waters, this is an excellent time to engage in whale watching.

Summer (Mid-October to Mid-February):

Summer season in Stellenbosch brings in a sultry climate, with temperatures hovering between 15°C and 25°C. The streets of the city come alive with exuberant festivities and wine-tasting experiences, making summer the best time to visit this town. Tourists can also rejuvenate amidst the fresh aromatic flowers that bloom in the vineyards of Stellenbosch at this time of the year.

Autumn (Mid-February to April):

Autumn season in Stellenbosch experiences a warm climate, with temperatures continually hovering between 18°C and 25°C. A few thunderstorms occur during this season, providing moderate rainfall to the city. The vineyards however still lure in tourists to their sweet-scented landscapes.

Winter (May to September):

Stellenbosch experiences a cold and rainfall-laden climate during the winter season. The temperatures continually range between 10°C and 20°C, with light snowfall also occurring over some hillocks. Winter is an offseason when it comes to tourism prospects.

Stellar Vineyards to Explore:

The Cape Vineyards are renowned all over the world for their garden-fresh wine production. Forming the capital of these vineyards, Stellenbosch houses more than 140 wine farms within its territory. While on a trip to Stellenbosch, tourists cannot miss out on wine tasting, with world-class reserve wines in the offering. Stellenbosch Wine Route is one of the major attractions in the city.

Wonderful Nature Parks:

Some of the most beautiful nature reserves of Stellenbosch include Eagle Encounters, Butterfly World, Drakenstein Lion Park, Giraffe House, and Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve. Whether it is the unique butterfly species or the majestic eagles and lions of the wild, these nature reserves contain the right tools to lure tourists from all parts of the globe. The Big Five animals of Africa also prevail within the confines of these wildlife parks.

Vibrant Local Culture:

Stellenbosch boasts of a dynamic cultural flair, consisting of a beautiful blend of heritage, history, art, students, and music. If the historical Dorp Street amazes tourists with its combination of modern and ancient architecture, then the exuberant cafes located around the Stellenbosch Wine Route lure in the crowds with their rich cultural flavor. Food festivals and entertainment activities occur around the city regularly.

A trip to Stellenbosch would be incomplete without sipping on rich South African wines such as Pinotage and Chenin Blanc. While sipping on authentic reserve wines, tourists can also feast on delicious steak and meats such as springbok. Some of the favorite local cuisines that are a must to taste include Beef Tartare, Yuzu Dressed Fish Tacos, Colorful Beet Salad, Sauteéd Gnocchi with mushroom and parmesan crumbs, and BBQ Peri Peri Wings. Apart from the main course, one such delicious form of dessert that comes to mind is the Peppermint Crisp King Cone, decorated with caramel popcorn.

The Spier craft market offers tourists with contemporaneous and conventional artistic works prepared by local artists. The fair showcases African beadwork, textiles, woodwork, and ceramics. This collection includes elegant wooden bowls, exquisite handmade pottery, tapestries knit by women belonging to the Keiskamma Embroidery project. These excellent handicrafts can surely be carried back home along with those superb reserve wines.