There’s much to do around Stellenbosch and Cape Town, with excitement and gorgeous scenery around every turn of the road. We are well-situated and well-connected and will advise you on all the amazing attractions, in addition to planning and booking your trips before or after your arrival.
Close to Cape Town, with a tranquil yet vibey ambience, Stellenbosch’s leafy streets, art galleries, wine estates, theatre performances and nature activities will keep you enchanted and entertained, whatever your age or interests.
For all tour bookings, rates and related tour enquiries, please ask at our reception desk or contact Life & Leisure via email or on +27 (0)21 8866 955.
STELLENBOSCH ART ROUTE
If you are an art lover then Stellenbosch is for you. Stellenbosch is literally steeped in art. You will have a wonderful opportunity to view both significant South African and International artists. The town in itself, becomes its own ‘art installation’ by the fact that it hosts street-art installations throughout the town across the year. Wherever you turn you are aware of the rich, multi-coloured canvas of unique art destinations and attractions pulsating with artistic activity.
We highly recommend The Stellenbosch Art Route. This gives you the freedom to explore our historic village and its wealth of art in your own time. There are so many galleries from serious to quirky, you are spoiled for choice. From the Rupert Gallery with the historic Pierneef Panels commissioned for the Johannesburg Central Station; to an exhibition on two decades of South African sculpture, ‘20Stellenbosch’, where works by various sculptors are on permanent display; to the sublime setting of Dylan Lewis’s Studio.
There are art exhibitions happening all the time so please ask us at the front desk when you check in, so we can be sure you get to go if you are an art lover.
STELLENBOSCH FOOD
Cape Town was named the best food city in the world by Conde Nast Traveller in its latest Readers’ Choice Awards survey 2016. Stellenbosch falls under this foodie umbrella. Stellenbosch has over 80 restaurants’ which collectively offers rich, complex and diverse menus to satisfy any appetite – from haute cuisine to picnic baskets in spectacular settings.
Stellenbosch restaurants are often awarded Top 10 status in the Eat Out DStv Food Network National Restaurant Awards. To name some for you, Rust en Vrede on Rust en Vrede Estate, Jordan Restaurant on Jordan Estate, Overture at Hidden Valley and Camphors at Vergelegen. Towerbosch at Knorhoek for best Country-style Restaurant. Let’s not forget the local produce markets where you can experience local flavour and enjoy wonderfully good robust fare. From laid-back bistros to seriously good coffee shops, to wine farms, to fine-dining you are in serious food heaven. In fact you may just want to keep coming back to Stellenbosch.
STELLENBOSCH GARDENS
The Cape Winelands Biosphere is magnificently diverse and its beauty world-renowned. We absolutely love the Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens. It is a mostly undiscovered gem in the historical centre of Stellenbosch, and literally a two minute walk from our guest house. Another of our favourite gardens is those of Babylonstoren outside of Stellenbosch. Many visitors marvel at the extraordinary beauty and expanse of the esplanade fruit and vegetable garden. The winelands in a sense an extensive natural garden – visitors often remark at the variety of plants and plant products found in this corner of the world.
STELLENBOSCH MUSEUMS
Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa, so in many ways you find yourself steeped in yesteryear as you stroll through the town centre. Essentially the history of the town is all around you and you will feel it more keenly in Dorp Street. The street is a National Monument, with one of the longest rows of surviving old buildings of any major town in southern Africa.
We have a number of museums throughout the town lending you interesting choices from a toy museum to an extraordinary car museum. For a real sense of Stellenbosch history we suggest The Village museum. This museum consists of four period houses namely Schreuderhuis c 1709, Blettermanhuis c 1789, Grosvenor House c 1803 and OM Berghhuis c 1850. Beautifully curated, the museum depicts the way in which people lived, dressed as well as the architectural development of the various periods.
STELLENBOSCH MARKETS
Not only does Stellenbosch have great wine and awesome restaurants, but it also has some of the most amazing markets in the Western Cape. Whether you’re looking for delicious food, organic fruit and vegetables as well as fresh produce, these markets have the best of the best. Local farmers really shine at these events. Breads, Bakes, Cakes, Pickles and Preserves – best you make sure you go on an empty stomach and take large picnic baskets to bring back your wares. Here are some of our most amazing food markets in this quaint town:
NATURE
Stellenbosch is nestled and surrounded by spectacular natural beauty. Even if you are not one for walks or the great outdoors we are confident you will be seduced by Nature’s own magnificence. There is a wealth of opportunities for walking, hiking and bird watching in and around Stellenbosch. For some Stellenbosch’s natural beauty is paradise found.
STELLENBOSCH WILD-LIFE (ANIMAL FARMS AND SANCTUARIES)
For those of you who enjoy and have a special interest in animals and birds you will be happy to know that there is a big variety of Animal and Bird species in the Stellenbosch locale. Plan your stay and be sure to visit any or all of these wild-life parks: Villeria Wildlife Sanctuary, Giraffe House, Butterfly World, Vredenheim Big Cats Park, and Eagle Encounters. You are sure to find your visit hugely rewarding, in particular to witness how well the animals respond to the rehabilitation programmes. All the sanctuaries offer hourly tours so it is possible to get them done in a morning or afternoon.
If you want to experience a game drive when you get here, be sure to ask us to book you for the 2 hour drive at Villeria Wildlife Sanctuary. If we can also ask that you please be mindful of the animals when taking photographs, and above all get to enjoy the experience of being with and encountering the animals.
STELLENBOSCH WINE ESTATES
There are so many very beautiful, if not downright spectacular wine estates to choose from, that you might want to extend your stay with us. Stellenbosch is a world-renowned wine route in its own right. Its natural diversity includes mountains and valleys, each of which has different climates, soils and water-retention abilities.
The array of wines that can be produced under these very different conditions is made even more expansive and indeed many are exceptional. You may want to opt for a wine tasting tour in Franschoek or plan your own wine-route. To make your Stellenbosch Wine Route more seamless, it is now divided into five major sub routes based on physical location. The list of how many wineries are in each sub route varies according to which website you look at, but for your ease and convenience: Greater Simonsberg—34, Bottelary Hills—22, Stellenbosch Valley—40, Stellenbosch Berg—18, Helderberg—44. It will be our pleasure to advise you and to also share our own special recommendations.
