About Stellenbosch

South Africa’s second-oldest town—with more than a few surprises

Tucked between rugged mountains and sprawling vineyards, Stellenbosch is a town of contrasts—historic yet innovative, tranquil yet buzzing with energy. Founded in 1679, it's the second-oldest town in South Africa, but there's nothing dusty about it.

Today, Stellenbosch is a thriving hub of creativity, culture, and countryside charm—where university students mingle with wine-makers, chefs, and artists, and where every season brings something new to discover.

🌳 A Town of Firsts and Onlys

  • Stellenbosch is home to the oldest residential street in South Africa: Dorp Street, a national monument, still boasts original Cape Dutch buildings, many of which are now home to art galleries, cafés, and boutiques.
  • It also houses the only university in South Africa with its main campus entirely in Afrikaans, though classes today are multilingual and proudly inclusive.
  • The Village Museum allows you to step into fully restored homes from four distinct historical periods—from the late 1600s to the 1800s—each one furnished with antiques and stories.

🍷 A Town Built on Wine—But Never Just One Note
While Stellenbosch is synonymous with fine wine, it's also a destination for:

  • Craft gin and artisanal chocolate
  • Avant-garde restaurants and farm-to-table cafés
  • Outdoor sculptures and contemporary galleries tucked away in heritage buildings
  • The Stellenbosch Wine Route, established in 1971, was the first of its kind in South Africa, and it set the standard for the country’s thriving wine tourism industry.

🎓 Where Ideas Grow
The presence of Stellenbosch University, one of the top academic institutions on the continent, makes the town unique. The student population brings energy and innovation, supporting:

  • A booming start-up scene, especially in agri-tech and sustainability
  • Cutting-edge research in environmental science, viticulture, and health
  • A vibrant cultural calendar—think open-air concerts, book festivals, and art walks

🖼️ Art, Music & Local Colour
Beyond wine and academia, Stellenbosch offers plenty to explore:

  • Riel dancing, one of South Africa’s oldest indigenous dance forms, is kept alive in the nearby rural communities
  • Murals and public art installations fill the streets thanks to initiatives like the Stellenbosch Outdoor Sculpture Trust
  • The Rupert Museum and Stellenbosch Art Gallery showcase both established and emerging talent, rooted in local context but globally aware


🌿 A Base for Slow Travel
Stellenbosch rewards the curious and the unhurried. It's a place to:

  • Sip something special under an ancient oak tree
  • Get lost in a bookshop, then find yourself at a sidewalk café
  • Stroll, cycle, or picnic along the Eerste River
  • Discover hidden corners where heritage and hospitality meet

Make Yourself at Home
At Bonne Esperance, we invite you to experience the spirit of Stellenbosch as a local would: slowly, warmly, and with a glass of something lovely in hand. Whether you're staying for a weekend or a while, you'll quickly see—Stellenbosch is more than a destination. It’s a way of life.