How to Spend 2 Days in Stellenbosch

With two days in Stellenbosch, you can devote an entire day to wine tasting and still have time to explore the long history, rich culture, and beautiful scenery of the region. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in South Africa’s City of Oaks.

Day 1: Wine Tasting

**Morning:**Start with a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the mountains and valleys of the Cape Winelands. After breakfast, spend the day sampling one of the main draws of the area, the wine. Options for visiting the vineyards include the hop-on hop-off Vine Hopper van; tours via bike, e-bike, horseback, and scooter; and booking a private driver and guide.

**Afternoon:**Many wine tours last most of the day and extend past lunch. There’s no need to take a break from the wine tasting, as many wineries offer lunch, with options that range from gourmet meals to a casual picnic on the grounds. For something different, try pairing your wine with chocolates, cupcakes, or ice cream.

**Night:**As a university town, Stellenbosch also is known for having a lively nightlife scene, with plenty of bars, clubs, and live entertainment. Depending on the season, options could include pop-up food and wine events, outdoor concerts at the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre, or night markets with live jazz.

Day 2: History and Scenery

**Morning:**Although the area boasts more than 200 wineries, Stellenbosch has more to offer. In the morning take a guided walking tour of the town to learn about its history as the second oldest town in South Africa, admire the Dutch Cape architecture, and visit some of the museums and art galleries.

**Afternoon:**Take in the views at Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers trails for walking, hiking, running, and mountain bike riding. Alternatively, get up close with wildlife at the Villiera Wildlife Sanctuary, the Vrendenheim Big Cats Park, or Eagle Encounters at Spier Wine Farm.

**Night:**For your final night, enjoy a relaxing gourmet dinner, then take in a theater performance. Or, if you’re still feeling energetic, drink and dance the night away at one of the many bars and clubs in town.