A winter day in Stellenbosch smells of wet leaves and wood smoke, and behind the rooftops the Simonsberg disappears into cloud. The town is called Eikestad, the oak town, and after Cape Town it is the oldest European settlement in South Africa. Governor Simon van der Stel founded it in 1679 and gave it his name. Fires swept through in 1710, 1804 and 1875, yet around Dorp Street Cape Dutch houses from the days of the Dutch East India Company still stand. The Village Museum shows four restored houses from different periods, furnished with pieces of their time.
- founded, second-oldest town in the country
- 1679
- first wine route in South Africa
- 1971
- wards in the wine district, according to WOSA
- 8
- residents, 2011 census
- 77,476
When it comes to wine, Stellenbosch is the yardstick for the other valleys. The country's first wine route started here in 1971, founded by Frans Malan (Simonsig), Spatz Sperling (Delheim) and Niel Joubert (Spier), among others. Today Stellenbosch Wine Routes says it represents more than 200 wine and grape producers across five sub-routes, as of September 2026. No region in the country grows more Cabernet Sauvignon: SAWIS counted 2,294 hectares at the end of 2025 for its Stellenbosch statistical region, which also takes in Somerset West. At the university Abraham Perold crossed the first Pinotage in 1925.
For a round trip Stellenbosch sits well. The airport is about 35 kilometres away, central Cape Town 55. Over Helshoogte Pass (R310) you reach Franschhoek in half an hour, with Tokara and Delaire Graff on the pass itself. The R44 towards Paarl runs past Kanonkop. No car? Since 2024 Metrorail trains run from Cape Town to Stellenbosch again, but the German Foreign Office advises against using suburban trains.
- Time needed
- two nights as a base for Stellenbosch and Franschhoek
- When
- February and March for the harvest, August for "August is Cabernet", early October for the Woordfees (3 to 11 October 2026)
- From Cape Town
- 55 km, 44 minutes
Our tipIf you want to hike in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, allow extra time: the car parks along the circuit road have been closed since 23 March 2026, so you walk about five kilometres from the outer car park. Root44 Market on the R44 has been closed until further notice since the end of June 2026. As of September 2026.
Wine estates in and around Stellenbosch
- Stellenbosch and FranschhoekSpier
An estate with a 17th-century cellar, a hotel, a pick-your-own food garden and Segway tours through the vines.
- Stellenbosch and FranschhoekKanonkop
The estate that calls itself the pioneer of Pinotage: no restaurant, no pairings, just wine, a gallery and the cellar.
- Stellenbosch and FranschhoekDelaire Graff
An estate that doubles as a gallery on the pass: art, three restaurants and, by its own account, the only Graff boutique in Africa.
- Stellenbosch and FranschhoekTokara
Right at the top of the pass: wine, olive oil, art in the cellar and a restaurant that has been cooking since 2001.
Places to stay in Stellenbosch
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Penelope's Stellenbosch
21 Speciosa Rd
- Pool
- Breakfast
- Kitchen
- Parking
from €118per night on 7 November 2026
Check prices on trivago
Sanddrif Guest Farm
Stellenbosch Kloof Road
- Pool
- Parking
- Wi-Fi
from €127per night on 18 November 2026
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Summerwood Guest House
28 Jonkershoek Street
- Pool
- Breakfast
- Parking
- Air conditioning
from €165per night on 10 March 2027
Check prices on trivago
Eikendal Lodge
Eikendal Road, Eikendal Vineyard Estate R44
- Pool
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Parking
from €348per night on 18 November 2026
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I Wish You Candlelight @ Webersvallei
Webersvallei Road
- Kitchen
- Parking
- Air conditioning
- Wi-Fi
from €104per night on 18 November 2026
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Baruch Guesthouse on Lovell
29 Lovell Avenue, Die Boord
- Pool
- Breakfast
- Parking
- Air conditioning
from €152per night on 9 November 2026
Check prices on trivagoWines from Stellenbosch to order
AdvertisementAll product links are affiliate links to wine merchants based in Germany, who deliver to Germany and parts of the EU. If you buy through them we receive a commission; the price stays the same. Price, shipping and delivery time are set by the shop. Prices as of 23 September 2026
Warwick Estate »The First Lady« Cabernet Sauvignon
€6.99 €11.95 €9.32/l
Kleine Rust Pinotage Shiraz
€7.95 €10.60/l
To the shop at Club of Wine
Stellenrust Pinotage
€9.95 €13.27/l
To the shop at Club of Wine
„Doorkeeper“ Shiraz
€14.95 0.75 l · €19.93/l
To the shop at rindchen.de
Warwick Estate »Three Cape Ladies«
€16.50 €21.95 €22.00/l
Shiraz „Ronnie Melck“ Muratie
€16.95 0.75 l · €22.60/l
To the shop at rindchen.deStellenbosch: frequently asked questions
How far is Stellenbosch from Cape Town and the airport?
Stellenbosch is about 55 road kilometres from central Cape Town, roughly 45 minutes via the N1 without traffic. From Cape Town International Airport it is about 35 kilometres via the N2 and R310.
Why is Stellenbosch called Eikestad?
Eikestad is Afrikaans for oak town and the old nickname of Stellenbosch. Governor Simon van der Stel founded the town in 1679, which makes it the oldest European settlement in South Africa after Cape Town.
When was the Stellenbosch Wine Route founded?
The Stellenbosch Wine Route was founded in 1971 as the first wine route in South Africa, by Frans Malan (Simonsig), Spatz Sperling (Delheim) and Niel Joubert (Spier) among others. It says it now represents more than 200 producers on five sub-routes.
Is it easy to get from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek?
From Stellenbosch to Franschhoek you drive about 30 kilometres over Helshoogte Pass (R310), around half an hour without traffic. Franschhoek Pass beyond the town has been closed since May 2026, but that does not affect this route.