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The Best Things to Do in Stellenbosch to Add to Your Bucket List
- Sip wine at Muratie Wine Estate
- Be Tarzan at Acrobranch Stellenbosch
- Let the kids play at The Carnival
- See the waterfall at Eden Forest
- Pick strawberries at Polkadraai Strawberry Farm
- Meander through sculpture at Dylan Lewis Studio & Sculpture Garden
- Take a hike at Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
- Check out old-world toys at the Toy & Miniature Museum
- Spot tigers and lions at Vredenheim Big Cats & Animal Farm
- Wander among the flora at Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden
- Dine and chill at Blaauwklippen
Experiencing Stellenbosch for the first time made it clear to me why it draws such crowds. You’re probably aware of it, but the so-called City of Oaks has some world-class pours, thanks to its unique terroir and Mediterranean climate.
Better yet, all its magic isn’t contained in a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. I mean, where else can you neck top-shelf wines, feed a tiger, swing like Tarzan, and stroll past a trail of shamanic figures in a day or two?
I won’t spoil everything yet, though. But if you’re already plotting an escape to South Africa’s second-oldest town, its best bits are right below.
Sip wine at Muratie Wine Estate
From muratiewine
Address: Knorhoek Rd, Koelenhof
Contact Details: +27 21 865 2330
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 5 pm
Time lingers in a glass at Muratie. Since opening in 1685, the wine estate has been preserving the Cape’s heritage and its very own through wine tastings (wine tasting stellenbosch) still influenced by bygone years.
You see, their tasting room is rich in walls stained with tartaric acid and cobwebs. Vintage music also plays during sessions, further reinforcing the cellar’s ageless charm and old-world look.
The wines, aged by the African sun, seal the deal. Laurens Campher is a perennial choice, with floral and citrus-kissed nuances, the flavours matured for 11 months inside a French oak barrel.
| Tip: Extend your visit by staying in one of their rooms. |
Be Tarzan at Acrobranch Stellenbosch
From krystle_jeanine_carr
Address: Klein Joostenberg Farm, R304, Muldersvlei
Contact Details: +27 21 201 1121
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 5 pm
Thrills above ground are why we keep returning to Acrobranch. I said ‘we’ because the kids always tag along in this wild space made of tree-top courses.
What tree-top courses? There are plenty, but our go-to challenge is Big Zip, a 120-metre zip line 12 metres above the forest floor. Those combo packages are lekker, too, chiefly the Blue Combo, where you can swing like Tarzan before or after zipping down Big Zip.
As for the tots, they prefer Acro-Twigs Bungee (best for 3 to 6-year-old kids). The attraction features a trampoline and safety harnesses, so don’t lose your marbles if you see them bouncing 8 metres above ground.
| Tip: Loyalty cards can be nabbed at reception. Doing so will give you the chance to enjoy a 5th course for free…if you complete 4 other courses. |
Let the kids play at The Carnival
From cmwesso2
Address: Welgevonden Boulevard, Cloetesville
Contact Details: +27 21 889 6588
Operating Hours: Daily – 8:30 am to 7 pm
The Carnival, uninspired name aside, has tickled our children’s fancy and imagination for years. But hey, that’s bound to happen when you add fantasy themes to classic playground and fair attractions.
Massive jungle gyms, slides, a carousel, a bouncing castle—yeah, getting the kids to yawn here is a challenge. The kiddie mayhem only intensifies during hot days, when those slides turn into watery ones.
Oh, and there are workshops. A particular hit among our littlies is the pizza-making class, because what’s better than a cheesy slice after tearing around a bike track?
| Tip: Check out their flexible venues if you’re about to throw a party or tie the knot. |
See the waterfall at Eden Forest
From schae_of_sunshine
Address: Paradyskloof Way, La Pastorale
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
You’ll know you’re in the Eden Forest once the scent of pine trees wafts in the air, but you’ll only fully understand the name by the time you reach the Paradyskloof Waterfall.
Water rolls down the cascades, settling into pools that might not be deep enough for swimming but are still pure eye candy, especially after a downpour. Vineyard, Table Mountain, and False Bay scenes are even part of the picture.
The sweet bit is that it’s more of a scenic stroll than a ‘my legs are giving up’ hike. In fact, most consider the 5-kilometre, out-and-back trail an entry-level route.
| Tip: Your dogs can come along. The trails are dog-friendly. |
Pick strawberries at Polkadraai Strawberry Farm
From polkadraaistrawberryfarm
Address: Polkadraai Road, La Provence Rd, Kuils River
Contact Details: +27 21 881 3303
Operating Hours: Mon – 9 am to 4 pm
Odds are, if you spot our crew in Stellenbosch between September and January, we’re almost definitely off to Polkadraai Strawberry Farm to fill our baskets with strawberries.
The varieties they grow, such as Viva Patricia and Splendor, are sought-after for their medium to large sizes and intensely sweet, juicy flesh. No overcharging either, with tickets falling between R55 and R70 per person.
Paying extra isn’t a bad move, though. Aside from taking home more fruit, you get access to art workshops, pony/tractor rides, or the mini golf course.
| Tip: Wear fully enclosed footwear. Most activities here require it. |
Meander through sculpture at Dylan Lewis Studio & Sculpture Garden
From dylanlewissculpturegarden
Address: Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden, Paradyskloof Rd, Paradyskloof
Contact Details: +27 21 880 0054
Operating Hours: Tue to Sat – 8:30 am to 5 pm
Dylan Lewis is a master of animal-form sculptors, and we saw proof of that after a stroll through his garden.
Themed ‘Unearthing Wilderness,’ over 60 of Lewis’s organic creations are spread across the indigenous garden encircled by peaks and valleys. Shamanic figures, fragmented wild cats, and reimagined Greek myths are just a few of the jaw-dropping pieces we clocked.
The Old Storeroom is also stop-worthy. Inside, we snacked on cakes and sipped teas by a fireplace, all while admiring bizarre artefacts Lewis collected around the world.
| Tip: Although picnics aren’t allowed, you can host a small function in the garden. Email [email protected] for the complete details. |
Take a hike at Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
From blonde_marz
Address: Jonkershoek Rd
Contact Details: +27 82 467 0405
Operating Hours: Daily – 7 am to 6 pm
Framed by mountains and flowing with cascades, the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is a spot you’d see in a postcard. It also has trails for days, so you’re not stuck on a single path.
The 6.4-kilometre Twede Waterval, right by Eerste River, is popular among newbies. Most finish it in two hours, which leaves plenty of time for a dip in the pool, so yeah, don’t forget your swimming kit.
If you have iron lungs and knees, you might want to give the Panoramic Circuit a shot. The 17-kilometre route is no Sunday cruise, but it’s undoubtedly the prettiest, with Table Mountain, False Bay, Robben Island, and Cape Peninsula as the highlights.
| Tip: Download or read the info sheet to avoid hassles such as failing to bring the right items or tackling a trail not ideal for your fitness level. |
Check out old-world toys at the Toy & Miniature Museum
From mariusbester
Address: Mark St, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch, 7600
Contact Details: +27 21 882 8861
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 4:30 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 2 pm
It has been ages since I felt like a kid, but one visit to the Toy Miniature Museum and boom—back to the ‘90s (and the decades before the rave scene hit SA). Put plainly, this joint runs on nostalgia.
In one cabinet, I found a 1920s matchbox kitchen, some mini cars, and lots of stuffed toys. A few steps from it, antique doll houses and well-dressed figurines sat on display, headlined by a century-old doll.
There were even scaled versions of the Blue Train and a few local manors, perfect for slipping in a history lesson the kids won’t moan about.
| Tip: Bring lots of coins. You’ll need them to operate the model railway. |
Spot tigers and lions at Vredenheim Big Cats & Animal Farm
From vredenheimanimals
Address: Vredenheim Wine Farm, R310 Baden Powell Dr
Contact Details: +27 21 881 3878
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 4:30 pm
As far as wine estates go, the 1691-founded Vredenheim is as unique as they come. Seriously, it’s the only winery where I indulged in Cab Sav right after meeting leopards and white tigers.
They have game drives for that. The one I booked is a tad pricier at R450 (R250 for kids), but the itinerary includes sightings of birds, water buffalo, zebra, and deer, plus a separate visit to the big cats.
If you’d rather feed the lions, leopards (there’s a black one), and tigers, the R75 to R110 package is the deal to go for. Just don’t be late; the feeding sessions start at 11 am and close at 3 pm.
| Tip: Avoid Saturdays and Sundays if you’re not a fan of heavier crowds. |
Wander among the flora at Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden
From sbosvisio
Address: Stellenbosch University, Neethling St & Van Riebeeck St, Stellenbosch Central
Contact Details: +27 21 808 3054
Operating Hours: Daily – 8 am to 5 pm
One of the most exotic attractions on this list, the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, the oldest of its kind in SA, is only a 4-minute drive from the main town area. Naturally, flora, especially themed gardens, is the reason locals and tourists visit.
Since I’m into African-style bonsais, namely the baobab and flat-crown styles, I frequent the bonsai collection most. A close second is the Japanese garden, a zen-inducing stretch of water features and stone lanterns.
Don’t get me wrong; almost every flowery nook here is visit-worthy, even the greenhouses where arid plants blossom. The same description applies to the three glasshouses.
| Tip: There’s no dedicated parking area, but you’ll find one at Van Ribieck St, adjacent to the garden itself. |
Dine and chill at Blaauwklippen
From blaauwklippen
Address: Strand Rd, R44
Contact Details: +27 21 880 0133
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 5 pm
It’s no secret that Stellenbosch has no shortage of elite restos (restaurant stellenbosch), and Blauuwklippen is one of the best. This casual eatery with a bike park and two jungle gyms simply offers the flavours and atmosphere many tourists seek.
The menu leans heavily on Italian influences, meaning your choices are wood-fired pizza and pasta that let local, high-quality produce shine. Better yet, you can wash the bolognaise or marinara with an estate Chenin Blanc or lager in between mouthfuls.
Going after their classic Eggs Benedict isn’t a bad move, either. They do their hollandaise, poached eggs, bacon, and English muffin properly and the classic way, which explains why it’s so popular.
| Tip: Follow them on Insta for the latest scoop on events, such as market nights and concerts. |
