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Town in Western Cape, South Africa
Photo: Andres de Wet, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Stellenbosch (pop. about 100,000) is a city in the Western Cape, and is the heart of the Cape Winelands, South Africa's premier wine region. Its historical parts display colonial Dutch architecture.
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Built in 1852
Largest church in the town, built in 1863.
On the site of the original settlement, which was on an island in the Eerste River until one of its watercourses was filled in. This became the first university-level institution in 1859. The garden contains two pines from Norfolk Island, near Australia, which the university's students sometimes like to climb!
Consists of four adjacent houses of historical interest. Each of these homes represents a different period in the architectural development of the city. The houses, their interiors and their gardens have been restored, and furnished, to illustrate the particular style and taste of the time.
Fick House
Well-preserved Dutch house. Inside is an excellent collection of traditional furniture, kitchen equipment, etc. that can be visited in office hours
V.O.C. Kruithuis
Powder, lead and flint were supplied to the inhabitants of Stellenbosch. During the first quarter of the 18th century the annual allowance was 150 pounds of gunpowder, 100 pounds of lead bullets and 300 flintlock stones. This was delivered at the end of September each year for distribution to the citizen army. To avoid damage to the city in the event of an explosion the Powder House was situated away from the main town. These days it houses a small collection of weapons.
Art museum.
SU Konservatorium (Afr)
The Stellenbosch Conservatoire is home to the Music Department of the Stellenbosch University. It features the acclaimed 550 seat Endler Hall as well as various other performance and lecture venues. Various concerts take place every week ranging from student concerts and ensembles to performances by renowned artists, both locally and internationally. It is also home to the world-renowned Stellenbosch University Choir.
Specialised in wine tours to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, leaving daily from Cape Town. Small groups with specialised wine guides.
Offers a variety of international cuisine. Reviewed by Rossouw's Restaurants - 7/10 food, 8/10 service
A modern take on many traditional South African food, set in a quirky location next to Mooiberge Farmstall, a pick-your-own strawberry farm and store, where you'll be greeted by their "friendly scarecrows."
Zest
Formerly known as Zest. Has a lovely hidden courtyard at the back of the old house.
Vergenoegd Wine Estate
Authentic South African food using fresh, seasonal and indigenous ingredients
Wijnhuis offers a wine-tasting lounge, wine shop and restaurant in a charming setting in the heart of the old town. It is a bustling meeting place for visitors to Stellenbosch, locals and students alike.
South African wine endeavour.
One of the oldest wineries in South Africa, established in 1692.
Great value double rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool and safe on site parking. Dorm available too. Very helpful and friendly staff. Guests are rather relaxed and calm.
All rooms equipped with cable television, air-conditioning, Private patio in select rooms, Fully equipped kitchen/kitchenette and dining area in select rooms. Some of its facilities and services are room service, barbeque facilities, massage treatments, swimming pool, laundry service, secure parking, shuttle service and daily excursions and airport transfers, on request.
Friendly hosts, comfortable beds, and excellent breakfast.
Formerly "D'Ouwe Werf". Offers 44 very good rooms and has an excellent restaurant although it's just a short and completely safe walk from many others. Also 5 apartments on site sleeping up to 4; good value if travelling as a group.
Historic house in the oldest part of town in Dorp Street.
27-room boutique hotel with spa, small pool, restaurant and luxurious lounging areas. WiFi and room service available.
Great value backpackers lodge with double rooms and dormitory beds, swimming pool and safe on site parking.
Cosy three-star guesthouse with various neat double rooms. Private toilet, washbasin and bath/shower. Good breakfast with the current newspaper, possibly with English breakfast and/or fruit with muesli and delicious yogurt. Can also be eaten outside. Very friendly service, quiet location. Optionally you can rent a bike, a relaxed beach cruiser. On the rooftop you can enjoy the setting sun. Each room has a desk and free internet.
Boutique hotel.
Apartment and guesthouse accommodation.
Rooms are clean and non smoking and in an idyllic location. Offering safe off street parking for guests, and a beautiful solar-heated swimming pool is available on premises.
Two villas where guests can stay. The estate includes a manor house which dates to 1838.
Chabivin (Champagne & MCC house)
Relax at Chabivin's Eucalyptus amphitheater while live music and cold bubbles make you appreciate the finer things in life. Either outside on the lawn on giant pillows or in their rustic tasting room.
By train
MetroRail operates a regular train service to Stellenbosch from Cape Town via Bellville. Check the schedule, as trains do not run very often.
By plane
Stellenbosch has its own airfield but the nearest international airport is near Cape Town. Cape Town International airport is about 35 minutes away by car and airport shuttle service is available.
By car
Stellenbosch lies approximately 60km from Cape Town. Drive on either the N1 or N2 highway. If on the N1, exit at the R304 towards Stellenbosch.
Stellenbosch is small enough that the entire city centre can easily be covered on foot. The Tourism Bureau also has a few cycles to rent. A curiosity is that there are no street signs.
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