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South Africa Travel + Tourism Guide: Stellenbosch

City Guide I Tourist Office I Arrival I Accommodation I Entertainment I Internet Cafes

Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch B&B

• population 220,000
• situated in the Western Cape, 50km east of Cape Town
• home to the University of Stellenbosch
• city dates back to the 17th century
• known as the "City of Oaks" or Eikestad in Afrikaans
• founded by Simon van der Stel
• famed for its fertile soil
• long tradition of wine production
• excellent base to explore the Cape Winelands

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Stellenbosch was founded in 1679 by Simon van der Stel on the banks of the Eerste River and was the second main European settlement in southern Africa after Cape Town.

The early Dutch settlers in Cape Town needed supplies of fresh food and explored the hinterland in search of just such a fertile valley.

Stellenbosch retains its 17th century layout of oak-shaded avenues and water furrows running out from the ancient village green - the Braak.

Nowadays, Stellenbosch is known for its excellent wine and the location of the Afrikaans-language University of Stellenbosch, which adds a youthful vibrancy to the town's many bars and pubs.

Besides oak trees for shade, Simon van der Stel and his free burghers planted vines and soon produced the area's first wine. In the 1970s, Stellenbosch created South Africa's first wine route with over 200 wineries and wine estates in the area.

Stellenbosch Museums, Churches & Historic Houses

Stellenbosch has a number of fine museums showcasing the history of the town. The Village Museum (18 Ryneveld Street, Tel: 021 887 2902) is a collection of 18th and 19th century houses and gardens including Blettermanhuis and Grosvenor House. Dorp Street, to the south, also has a number of beautiful historic buildings.

Sasol Art Museum (52 Ryneveld Street, Tel: 021 808 3693, closed Monday) has both European art and a collection of African cultural items such as weapons, tools and clothing assembled by the University of Stellenbosch. Housed in a restored 19th century building, the Sasol Art museum is a must-see.

The University of Stellenbosch Art Gallery (corner of Dorp & Bird Streets, Tel: 021 808 3489) exhibits contemporary South African artworks.

The Toy & Miniature Museum (42 Market Street, Tel: 021 887 2948) shows a varied collection of model trains (including the Blue Train), cars, cuddly toys, dollhouses and other oddities.

The V.O.C Kruithuis opposite the Braak is Stellenbosch's historic, restored arsenal with a quirky collection of ancient firearms and uniforms. The whitewashed structure is the last remaining powder magazine in South Africa dating from the days of the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C).

The Rhenish Church in Bloem Street was first built as a church school for slaves and Coloureds and is now a South African National Monument.

Wine Estates

There are a couple of hundred wine estates in the Stellenbosch area, many of which are open to the public. Some also provide accommodation, tasting sessions and restaurants. Many of the best wineries are located in a 10km radius of the town in beautiful countryside with views of the Groot Drakenstein and Simonsig mountains. Pinotage, cabernet sauvignon and merlot are some of the signature wines of the area.

Night Life & Entertainment

Cape Town offers an eclectic mix of good restaurants, bistros and pubs.
Being on the coast Cape Town offers many venues with a variety of fresh food from the ocean, while the steakhouses offer generous portions of meat at value prices.
All can be washed down with the local wine, which for a fair quality bottle will cost anything from Rand 25 upwards.
The price of local draught beers start at Rand 14 per litre.

Camp's Bay opposite the beach offers many top class restaurants and is the ideal spot to watch the sun setting over the ocean.
Green Point strip also offers excellent restaurants and late night clubs, as does the nearby Waterkant area which is the center of Cape Town's gay community.
Long Street just to the west of the CBD, with its many older historic buildings is a lively late night spot for younger revellers.

Local Sports

Rugby is a major winter sport and the Super 14 side the Stormers play at Newlands stadium, 6 miles from the center of Cape Town.
Watersports of all kinds are readily available.
Extreme sports - para sailing and hang gliding from Table Mountain.

Tourist Offices

Stellenbosch Tourism is at 36 Market Street (Tel: 021 883 3584) and can provide walking-tour maps and information on the wine estates. Brochures in English, French and German.

Getting There

Air

At present an average of 10 international flights arrive daily at Cape Town International Airport, mostly from the UK and other parts of Europe, and to a lesser extent from the Persian Gulf, Malaysia, South America and other parts of the African continent.
Visitors from the USA and other areas presently have to change at Johannesburg Airport. There are roughly 30 flights daily in each direction Johannesburg - Cape Town, with a flight time of 2 hours. Less frequent daily flights are available to Durban, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and Nelspruit (all World Cup venue cities).

Rail

Stellenbosch is linked to Cape Town by Metrorail trains which run approximately every two hours and take just under an hour. The station is a short walk to the west of the town on Adam Tas. There are also luxury coach and train services to Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and Nelspruit from Cape Town.
Train to Johannesburg - 26 hours.

Bus

There are infrequent buses to Stellenbosch from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. The train is cheaper. Coaches from Cape Town to Johannesburg - 16 hours.

Getting Around

Car hire is a good option for visitors to Stellenbosch to visit the out of town wineries. Otherwise there are bicycle and walking tours to the vineyards.

Security

Stellenbosch is one of South Africa's safest towns even at night.

Car Hire

All the major car hire companies are well represented in all major cities and at the airports. Cheaper less exclusive local companies also offer vehicles for hire.

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Accommodation

Private Rentals

Stellenbosch B&B - comfortable, spacious home in the Winelands region of the Cape.
Green Point Apartment - flat near Green Point Stadium.

Featured Hotels

Lovane Boutique Wine Estate Hote - 4 Star Hotel
Stellenbosch Hotel - 3 Star Hotel
Just Joey Guesthouse - 4 Star Hotel

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Eating

Stellenbosch is a gourmet's delight with a number of excellent eateries.
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Drinking

Being a university town there are scores of bars and pubs to explore.
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Internet Cafes

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Weather

The World Cup will take place during the South African winter which generally is not severe. There can be weeks of blue skies and fine weather, or 3 to 5-day storms off the Atlantic Ocean which will bring the rain.
On average expect day time temperatures at around 18-20 degrees Centigrade and lowest night time temperatures of 10 degrees Centigrade.

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