The days are warmer, and the gardens are blooming, the perfect time of the year to visit some stunning gardens in Stellenbosch!

A nature lover’s delight, Stellenbosch is home to some of the most beautifully curated botanical and other gardens in the Cape Winelands.

If you’re looking to enjoy a day out in some of the best Stellenbosch gardens, we recommend:

• Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden

Suppose you’re a green thumb who loves the great outdoors. In that case, you cannot miss the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden, which brings lush indigenous vegetation and beautiful sculptural works together in a spectacular celebration of the art of both mother nature and man.

Featuring over 60 of Dylan Lewis’ works, the sculpture garden is seven hectares and “is a place of expansive vistas, scents, and the sounds of nature, with tranquil groves, and hidden paths” just begging to be explored!

The garden is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 08:30 to 17:30.

For more information visit their website.

• Jan Marais Nature Reserve

We sometimes forget about all the beautiful hidden gems we have right at our doorstep, and The Jan Marais Nature Reserve is one of them. You can enjoy all of these stunning mountain views and not even pay a cent. Jan Marais Nature Reserve has a bit of everything. Hiking, biking and walking trails, they have it all.

Established in 1919, and covers 23 hectares of gorgeous South African landscapes in the heart of Stellenbosch. This area is also the perfect place for all photography lovers to take photos of these fantastic views on offer.

Bird watchers are also welcome with all kinds of species, big and small, hiding away in the trees. Jan Marais Nature Reserve is a great place to have picnics with the family, and a kiosk is available for those who want a refreshment.

The perfect spot to get out of the city, catch up on hiking and enjoying a picnic with the family.

Open from 08h00 – 18h00.

For more information, call them on 021 8088160.

• Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden

Whether you’re a plant enthusiast, or a stressed-out mom looking for an activity for the kids to enjoy, this botanical garden has something for everyone.

From steppingstones in a pond that practically beg little feet to play to a gorgeous access-controlled greenhouse full of rare and beautiful plants, a day spent at The Stellenbosch University Botanical Gardens is good for the mind, body and spirit!

Whether you want to bring your picnic to enjoy on the lush, green lawns or want to stop in at Katjiepiering for the cake of the day and a coffee in the shade of mighty oaks, the botanical gardens are a lovely place for a bite in Stellenbosch.

The gardens and Katjiepiering Restaurant are open daily from 08:00 to 17:00.

For more information visit their website.