Located on the banks of the Erste River in the Western Cape province, Stellenbosch is known for its beautiful vineyards, mesmerizing mountains and valleys and the artistic flair of the countryside. The city is filled with colorful art galleries and museums that are frequented by students and tourists alike and also host public events to celebrate the works of various artists. With so many Dutch architectural buildings in the city, these Stellenbosch Museum Stand out and keep the rich history of your colonization days alive.
7 Greatest Stellenbosch Museums
Let us discover some of the museums in Stellenbosch that really offer information about the history, culture and nature of South Africa before you start your trip:
1. Rupert Museum
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Art lovers Anton and Hubert Rupert decided to open the doors of their museum to the public in the early 2000s. The museum displays his personal art collection which includes South African paintings, European sculptures and French wall hangings. Their collection includes some 20th century artworks. With over 350 art exhibits, the Rupert Museum attracts visitors from all over the world. The museum is very beautifully designed which complements the collection very well. People can admire the collection while sipping the finest wines from the Stellenbosch backyard. The collection at this famous museum in Stellenbosch grows every day and is a delight to the eyes.
Place: Stellantia Road, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch 7600
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
entrance fees: 100 rupees
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2. Stellenbosch Village Museum
Located in the center of the town, the Village Museum is a mix of renovated 18th-century houses that tell the story of Stellenbosch’s history with the Dutch East India Company. The oldest house is the Schröderhuis which mimics the ancient lifestyle of Cape Town during the colonial days. The Blattermanhuis is another house that provides information about the country houses of wealthy landowners from a long-lost time. Grosvenor House represents the better part of South African life in the post-slavery era. The last house reflects the changes in the country and their lifestyle after independence. It’s actually an interesting way to walk through the centuries and learn a history lesson.
Place: 18 Rhineveld Street, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch 7600
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
entrance fees: INR 180
3. Stellenbosch Toy and Miniature Museum
Crowds of people can be seen on Market Street, either enjoying the food and music of the various theaters or trying to catch a glimpse of the world famous Toy and Miniature Museum. This miniature museum in Stellenbosch houses a collection of miniature houses and landscapes from Stellenbosch. It’s almost like recreating the entire Western Cape region to fit into one small establishment. This museum is one of the most favorite and best museums in Stellenbosch, which also houses the only working model of Africa’s remarkable Blue Train. It is exciting to watch the train return from Central Station to Stellenbosch traveling through the winelands and Karoo. Don’t forget to take the kids here when visiting Cape Town.
Place: Market Street, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch 7600
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
entrance fees: 80 rupees
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4. Marze Botha Art Gallery
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The recently established art gallery has gained fame among renowned artists and art lovers of the world. The gallery displays some of the finest works by leading South African artists. It displays many paintings and sculptures but also has a lot of handmade goods available for sale in their museum shop. It is one of the few art museums in Stellenbosch that inspires young and emerging artists to create skilled artworks which are then displayed in the gallery for the public. If anyone has a good eye for priceless art, this gallery is a must-see on your trip to Stellenbosch.
Place: Jan Kats Building, Andringa Street, Stellenbosch 7600
Time: 9:30 am – 5 pm
entrance fees: Free
5. Franschhoek Motor Museum
Located only half an hour from the city of Stellenbosch, the Franschhoek Motor Museum displays a range of vintage automobiles ranging from motorcycles to cars from the early 1900s. The museum includes cars from all the famous brands like Jaguar, Bugatti and Ferrari. Most of the cars displayed here have been handed down by wealthy ex-owners from the affluent community around the world and have been maintained in pristine condition. The museum is located right next to a famous wine estate, where anyone is welcome to take a wine tour and enjoy the countryside. The Franschhoek Motor Museum makes an ideal day trip from Stellenbosch that takes one into the world of automobile development.
Place: R45 Franschhoek, Stellenbosch 7690
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
entrance fees: INR 300
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6. Absolute Art Gallery
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The Absolute Art Gallery is one of the famous museums in Stellenbosch that displays well-curated original works of South African artists. It shares its exhibits with its sister gallery located in Pretoria, South Africa. The gallery cum museum was founded by Gerrit Dieman (Senior and Junior) – father-son duo. Many contemporary art works can be seen painted here and art appreciation is part of the museum activity. This space is also open for rent if any artist wants to hold an exhibition of his creative art. If one is looking for some investment advice on art, Absolute Art Gallery is the perfect place as the expert duo gives completely honest appraisal of the artwork.
Place: 19 Rhineveld Street, 1st Floor, Stellenbosch 7690
Time: 9 am to 6 pm
7. Stellenbosch Art Gallery
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This art museum in Stellenbosch is located within walking distance of the Absolute Art Gallery. The museum has an extensive display of paintings, handmade glass and sculptures by local artists. The items displayed in the gallery are also available for sale. Are you looking for a perfect souvenir art piece to take home? The Stellenbosch Museum is a place worth visiting.
Place: 34 Rhineveld Street, Stellenbosch 7690
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
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Best time to visit Stellenbosch
Due to its location in the Southern Hemisphere, South Africa experiences typical seasonal variations throughout the calendar months. Stellenbosch is warm most of the year making the soil suitable for viticulture. The best time to visit Stellenbosch is from October to March which coincides with the short spring and summer season. The summer season sees average temperatures rising to 28℃ and is relatively humid. The autumn season from April to June is also a good time to see flowers blooming in the vineyards before winter sets in.
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How to reach Stellenbosch
By air: Many major airlines like Air India, Qatar Airways and Lufthansa have direct flights from Delhi to Cape Town. Since Stellenbosch does not have its own airport, the nearest city to land in is Cape Town. Airport shuttles and taxis are available on frequent schedules that can transport one from the capital to Stellenbosch. Wineland is just 60 kilometers from the capital.
by road: There are frequent metro trains and public buses between Cape Town and Stellenbosch. To reach Stellenbosch one can also hire a private car and drive on the N1 route and take the R304 exit. Transportation within the city of Stellenbosch is very simple. One can either rent a bicycle or go on foot as the entire city is small enough to be explored on foot.
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Stellenbosch is an artistic paradise and an inspiration for art lovers around the world. This small town is not only known for its spectacular wine estates and hilly countryside, but the Stellenbosch Museum is also widely acclaimed and sought after. For more on history and art, visit South Africa and explore this stunning wineland with the help of TourTravelHotels.
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