Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the South Africa Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Stellenbosch's property market is included in our pack
Looking to run an Airbnb in Stellenbosch in 2026? You're in the right place.
This article breaks down everything you need to know about short-term rental profitability in Stellenbosch, from legal requirements to realistic earnings and competition levels.
We update this blog post regularly to reflect the latest data and regulatory changes, so the numbers you see here are as current as possible.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Stellenbosch.
Insights
- Stellenbosch attracted 570,840 foreign tourists in 2024, representing 40% of all international visitors to the Western Cape, making it one of South Africa's most tourism-dependent towns.
- The typical Airbnb listing in Stellenbosch achieves around 55% occupancy, but top-performing hosts reach 65% to 72% through better reviews, backup power solutions, and strategic location.
- A well-run 2-bedroom apartment in Stellenbosch Central can generate R24,000 to R36,000 per month (about $1,450 to $2,200 or €1,250 to €1,870), outperforming many traditional rental yields.
- Security estates like De Zalze and Welgevonden often have HOA rules that restrict or ban Airbnb, even when municipal zoning would otherwise allow short-term rentals.
- Load shedding resilience (inverters, solar, batteries) has become a major booking differentiator in Stellenbosch, with hosts advertising backup power seeing higher conversion rates.
- The R1,000 to R1,800 per night price band is the most crowded in Stellenbosch, while family-ready 3-bedroom homes priced at R2,400 to R3,400 represent an underserved segment.
- Wine tourism drives Stellenbosch bookings year-round, but the Wine Town Stellenbosch festival in late July to early August creates the biggest annual demand spike with rates jumping 30% to 50%.
- VAT registration becomes mandatory when your Airbnb revenue exceeds R1 million annually (about $61,000 or €52,000), adding a 15% tax layer that many hosts overlook until it's too late.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Stellenbosch in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Stellenbosch in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term rentals are generally permitted in Stellenbosch, but the legality depends entirely on your property's zoning classification and whether your scheme or HOA rules allow it.
South Africa does not have a single national Airbnb law, so short-term rentals in Stellenbosch are governed by the Stellenbosch Municipality's Land Use Planning By-law and the local Zoning Scheme, which determine what types of accommodation are allowed in each zone.
The most important condition is that your property use must align with what the zoning scheme permits, which typically means operating within "residential with limited visitor accommodation" parameters rather than running a full-scale guesthouse operation.
If you're operating in conflict with your zoning or without required consent, the municipality can issue compliance notices, and penalties can include fines or orders to cease operations.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in South Africa.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in South Africa.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Stellenbosch as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Stellenbosch does not impose a blanket minimum-stay requirement or a strict maximum nights-per-year cap like you see in cities such as Amsterdam or Vienna.
The practical restrictions in Stellenbosch come from zoning definitions (which may limit the scale, number of rooms, or guest capacity), body corporate rules (which can effectively cap or ban short-term rentals in apartments and estates), and complaints-driven enforcement for nuisance issues.
Since there's no formal "nights per year" tracking system mandated by the municipality, hosts don't have to report their rental nights to a central registry.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Stellenbosch right now?
There is no blanket primary residence requirement for Airbnb hosts in Stellenbosch, meaning you can legally rent out a secondary home or investment property if zoning and scheme rules allow it.
That said, certain accommodation categories in the zoning scheme are framed around being "hosted" by a resident, which matters most for garden cottages, guest suites, and some bed-and-breakfast definitions.
For whole-home rentals like apartments and houses, there's no additional permit specifically required for non-primary residences, but you still need to ensure your use fits within what the zoning scheme allows for that property.
The main practical difference is that hosted accommodations (where the owner lives on-site) often face lighter scrutiny, while unhosted rentals are more likely to draw neighbor complaints and HOA attention.
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Stellenbosch right now?
There is no specific limit on how many Airbnb listings one person or entity can operate in Stellenbosch, as the municipality regulates property use rather than host portfolios.
Each property must independently comply with its own zoning permissions, scheme or HOA rules, and building safety requirements, so owning multiple units doesn't automatically create compliance issues.
However, if you scale into a de facto commercial hospitality operation, you may trigger additional requirements such as VAT registration (mandatory once turnover exceeds R1 million annually) and potentially different land-use classifications.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Stellenbosch as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Stellenbosch is not a "license-first" short-term rental market, so there's no single Airbnb license you need to obtain before listing your property.
Instead, compliance involves a stack of requirements: your land use must fit the zoning scheme, your building must meet basic safety standards, and your income must be declared for tax purposes.
If your turnover exceeds R1 million (about $61,000 or €52,000) in any 12-month period, you must register for VAT with SARS within 21 days and charge the 15% rate on your rentals.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Stellenbosch as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are no publicly gazetted "Airbnb-ban zones" in Stellenbosch, but certain areas face tighter scrutiny and higher friction for short-term rental operators.
Heritage-sensitive parts of central Stellenbosch, student-heavy neighborhoods like Die Boord, Uniepark, and Simonswyk, and security estates such as De Zalze and Welgevonden are areas where you should expect stricter planning sensibilities, more active body corporate governance, or HOA rules that restrict short-term rentals.
The restrictions in these areas are typically driven by parking constraints, neighbor sensitivity to noise and parties, heritage preservation concerns, or private governance rules that apply regardless of what municipal zoning allows.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in South Africa compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How much can an Airbnb earn in Stellenbosch in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Stellenbosch in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the median nightly price for an Airbnb in Stellenbosch is around R1,450 (about $89 or €75), while the average nightly price sits higher at approximately R1,750 (about $107 or €91) because larger villas and premium homes pull the average upward.
The typical nightly price range that covers roughly 80% of Stellenbosch listings falls between R1,000 and R3,600 ($61 to $220 or €52 to €187), with studios and 1-bedroom apartments at the lower end and 3 to 4-bedroom houses at the upper end.
The single biggest factor affecting nightly pricing in Stellenbosch is walkability to the town center combined with views or outdoor living space, which can swing rates by 30% or more for otherwise similar properties.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Stellenbosch.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Stellenbosch in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices in Stellenbosch vary by roughly 40% to 50% between the most expensive and most affordable neighborhoods, with Stellenbosch Central and Mostertsdrift commanding around R1,900 to R2,500 per night ($116 to $152 or €99 to €130) for comparable properties, while areas like Cloetesville and Idasvallei average R1,000 to R1,400 ($61 to $85 or €52 to €73).
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices in Stellenbosch are Stellenbosch Central, Mostertsdrift, and Paradyskloof, where proximity to wine routes, restaurants, and mountain views justify premium rates of R2,000 to R2,800 per night ($122 to $171 or €104 to €145) for well-appointed properties.
The three neighborhoods with the lowest average nightly prices are Cloetesville, Idasvallei, and some parts of Jamestown, where rates typically run R900 to R1,300 per night ($55 to $79 or €47 to €67), though these areas still attract guests seeking budget-friendly options with car access to wine farms.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Stellenbosch in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Stellenbosch is around 55%, meaning an average property is booked for roughly 16 to 17 nights per month across the year.
The realistic occupancy range that covers most listings in Stellenbosch falls between 40% and 65%, with under-optimized properties or weak locations at the low end and well-run listings in prime spots at the high end.
Stellenbosch occupancy rates tend to run slightly higher than the broader South African average due to the town's year-round wine tourism appeal, though they remain below major Cape Town waterfront areas.
The single biggest factor for achieving above-average occupancy in Stellenbosch is having consistently excellent reviews combined with practical amenities like backup power and secure parking that address real guest concerns.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Stellenbosch in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Stellenbosch is approximately R28,900 (about $1,765 or €1,500), calculated using the typical ADR of R1,750 multiplied by 55% occupancy over 30 days.
The realistic monthly revenue range that covers roughly 80% of Stellenbosch listings falls between R15,000 and R55,000 ($915 to $3,355 or €780 to €2,850), with garden cottages and studios at the lower end and well-located 3 to 4-bedroom houses at the upper end.
Top-performing Airbnb listings in Stellenbosch, typically large homes with excellent reviews in premium locations, can achieve R70,000 to R95,000 per month ($4,270 to $5,800 or €3,630 to €4,930) during strong months. That works out to roughly R2,300 to R3,200 per night achieved at 65% to 70% occupancy.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Stellenbosch.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Stellenbosch in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, a typical 2-bedroom Stellenbosch Airbnb can expect high-season monthly revenue of R32,000 to R42,000 ($1,950 to $2,560 or €1,660 to €2,180) versus low-season monthly revenue of R14,000 to R22,000 ($855 to $1,340 or €725 to €1,140), representing a swing of roughly 50% to 80% between peak and trough periods.
High season in Stellenbosch runs from late November through February (summer holidays) and includes event spikes like the Wine Town festival in late July to early August, while low season typically falls from May through August (winter) when both occupancy and nightly rates drop noticeably.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Stellenbosch in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, a realistic monthly expense range for operating an Airbnb in Stellenbosch is R6,500 to R22,000 ($397 to $1,342 or €337 to €1,140) depending on property size, whether you self-manage or use a co-host, and your utility consumption.
The largest single expense category for most Stellenbosch Airbnb hosts is cleaning and turnover costs, typically running R350 to R900 ($21 to $55 or €18 to €47) per booking, which adds up to R4,000 to R12,000 monthly for active listings with frequent turnovers.
Hosts in Stellenbosch should expect to spend 25% to 40% of gross revenue on operating expenses when self-managing, or 40% to 55% when using a full-service property manager who charges 15% to 25% of revenue.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Stellenbosch.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Stellenbosch in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, a realistic monthly net profit for a self-managed Airbnb in Stellenbosch is around R19,400 ($1,183 or €1,006) before mortgage and income tax, with profit per available night averaging roughly R650 ($40 or €34) for a typical listing.
The realistic monthly net profit range that covers most Stellenbosch listings falls between R7,000 and R35,000 ($427 to $2,135 or €363 to €1,815), with garden cottages and studios at the lower end and well-run 3 to 4-bedroom houses at the upper end.
Net profit margins for Stellenbosch Airbnb hosts typically fall between 45% and 70% of gross revenue for self-managed properties, or 35% to 50% when using professional management services.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Stellenbosch Airbnb listing is around 25% to 35%, meaning you need roughly 8 to 11 booked nights per month just to cover your operating costs before seeing any profit.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Stellenbosch, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in South Africa versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How competitive is Airbnb in Stellenbosch as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Stellenbosch as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are approximately 400 active Airbnb listings in Stellenbosch, based on visible supply from Airbnb's public market pages and consistent with the town's position as a boutique wine tourism destination rather than a mass-market urban center.
This number represents steady growth from previous years, reflecting increased investor interest in Stellenbosch short-term rentals as the town's tourism economy has rebounded strongly, with tourism contributing R13.1 billion to the local economy in 2024 and supporting over 48,000 jobs directly and indirectly.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Stellenbosch as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Stellenbosch are Stellenbosch Central, Die Boord, Uniepark, Simonswyk, Dennesig, and Mostertsdrift, where listing density is highest and new hosts need strong differentiation to compete.
These neighborhoods have become saturated because they combine walkability to town, proximity to the university (which brings visiting parents and conference guests), and easy access to wine routes, making them the first choice for both tourists and investors looking at Stellenbosch short-term rentals.
Neighborhoods that are relatively undersaturated and may offer better opportunities for new hosts include Paradyskloof, La Colline, and select pockets of Jamestown, where quality properties can still stand out without competing against dozens of similar listings.
What local events spike demand in Stellenbosch in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main local events that spike Airbnb demand in Stellenbosch are the Wine Town Stellenbosch festival (late July to early August), Stellenbosch University graduations, major wine estate harvest weekends, and cycling events like the Cape Epic that pass through the Winelands region.
During these peak events, hosts in Stellenbosch typically see booking rates increase by 30% to 60% and nightly rates jump by 25% to 50% compared to normal periods, with some properties fully booked weeks or months in advance.
Hosts should adjust pricing and block minimum stays at least 4 to 6 weeks before major events, as sophisticated travelers and event attendees tend to book Stellenbosch accommodation early, especially for Wine Town and university graduation periods.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Stellenbosch in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Stellenbosch achieve occupancy rates of 65% to 72%, which is roughly 10 to 17 percentage points higher than the average host's 55% occupancy.
Average hosts in Stellenbosch typically hover around 50% to 58% occupancy, while underperforming hosts with weak reviews, poor locations, or limited amenities often struggle to reach 40% to 48% annual occupancy.
A new host in Stellenbosch typically takes 6 to 12 months to reach top-performer occupancy levels, with the biggest gains coming from accumulating positive reviews, optimizing listing photos, and building a track record that triggers Airbnb's algorithm to show the listing more prominently.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Stellenbosch.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Stellenbosch right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of Airbnb listings in Stellenbosch is R1,000 to R1,800 ($61 to $110 or €52 to €93), where studios, 1-bedroom apartments, and basic 2-bedroom units all compete heavily for the same guest pool.
The "white space" opportunities for new hosts in Stellenbosch exist at two ends: premium couples' stays priced at R1,900 to R2,500 ($116 to $152 or €99 to €130) with wine-country romantic positioning, and family-ready 3-bedroom homes in safe, accessible locations priced at R2,400 to R3,400 ($146 to $207 or €125 to €176).
To successfully compete in these underserved segments, new hosts need properties with genuine outdoor living space, clear wine-route access, high-quality finishes, and backup power solutions that address load shedding concerns that matter to Stellenbosch visitors.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Stellenbosch right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Stellenbosch as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units get the most bookings in Stellenbosch, as they hit the sweet spot for couples, weekenders, visiting parents, and small friend groups who make up the bulk of wine tourism demand.
The estimated booking rate breakdown by bedroom count in Stellenbosch shows 1-bedroom units capturing roughly 35% of bookings, 2-bedroom units taking about 30%, studios around 15%, and 3-bedroom or larger properties accounting for the remaining 20% despite often generating higher total revenue per booking.
One and two-bedroom properties perform best in Stellenbosch specifically because the town's visitor profile skews heavily toward couples seeking romantic wine-country getaways and small groups wanting a base for wine tasting, rather than large families or party groups.
What property type performs best in Stellenbosch in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the best-performing property type for Airbnb in Stellenbosch is a high-quality 1 to 2-bedroom apartment or cottage in or near Stellenbosch Central, which delivers the strongest combination of booking velocity, manageable expenses, and consistent revenue throughout the year.
Occupancy rates across property types in Stellenbosch show apartments and cottages achieving 55% to 62%, townhouses and smaller houses reaching 50% to 58%, and large villas running 40% to 52% because they depend on fewer, higher-value bookings that are more seasonal.
Apartments and cottages outperform in Stellenbosch because they match the dominant traveler profile (couples and small groups), have lower operating costs, and face less neighbor sensitivity compared to large houses that attract groups and potential noise complaints.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Stellenbosch, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Stellenbosch Municipality Land Use Planning By-law 2023 | It's the municipality's legally adopted planning by-law published in the Provincial Gazette. | We used it to anchor what the municipality can enforce regarding zoning, consent uses, and penalties. We also used it to explain what happens if your use isn't permitted. |
| Stellenbosch Zoning Scheme 2024 | It's an official government-hosted zoning scheme document, which is the rulebook for land use permissions. | We used it to interpret what residential zones allow for visitor accommodation. We also used its definitions to explain when owner-occupation or scale limits apply. |
| SAFLII Stellenbosch Zoning Scheme Gazette | SAFLII is a widely used legal repository for South African legislation and gazettes. | We used it to cross-check exact wording of accommodation-related definitions like bed-and-breakfast. We triangulated it against the Western Cape-hosted scheme for consistency. |
| Western Cape Land Use Planning Act (LUPA) 2014 | It's the provincial law that sets the framework for planning and land-use management in the Western Cape. | We used it to explain where municipal authority comes from. We also used it to confirm that Stellenbosch's local rules sit within the provincial framework. |
| SPLUMA (Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act) 2013 | It's the national act that standardizes land-use planning and municipal planning tribunals across South Africa. | We used it to explain the big-picture legal architecture behind zoning and enforcement. We also used it to clarify that short-term letting rules flow through zoning rather than Airbnb-specific laws. |
| Statistics South Africa Tourist Accommodation Survey | Stats SA is the official statistics agency, and this is their recurring accommodation industry dataset. | We used it to anchor broader accommodation demand trends like nights sold and income per night. We used it as a reality-check against platform data for the region. |
| Statistics South Africa Consumer Price Index | It's South Africa's official inflation dataset used by markets and policymakers. | We used it to inflate costs realistically into a January 2026 mindset for cleaning, utilities, and supplies. We also used it to keep expense estimates grounded in recent price pressure. |
| South African Reserve Bank MPC Statement | SARB is the central bank, and MPC statements are primary-source policy documents. | We used it to frame financing reality like borrowing costs and macro risk, which matters for profitability beyond nightly rates. We used it to keep January 2026 assumptions aligned with recent policy direction. |
| SARS VAT Overview | SARS is the tax authority, and this is their official guidance. | We used it to flag when an Airbnb host trips into mandatory VAT registration at R1 million turnover. We also used it as a compliance checklist item for higher-revenue properties. |
| South African Government VAT Registration Guide | It's an official government service page written for the public. | We used it to cross-check the VAT threshold and explain it in plain English. We also used it to keep the "do I need to register" guidance consistent with SARS wording. |
| Wesgro Cape Winelands Visitor Trends 2024 | Wesgro is the official destination marketing and investment agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape. | We used it to anchor Stellenbosch demand drivers like wine tourism, visitor origins, and seasonality. We also used it to avoid guessing what actually brings people to the area. |
| Airbnb Stellenbosch Market Pages | It's the platform itself, so it's the cleanest way to check visible supply and typical nightly pricing bands. | We used it to cross-check listing counts and nightly price ranges visible to travelers in early 2026. We treated it as a practical market mirror alongside other sources. |
| AirDNA Methodology Documentation | AirDNA is a major STR data vendor with published definitions that investors commonly reference. | We used it to keep metrics consistent when estimating ADR, occupancy, and RevPAR. We also used it to explain what those numbers mean in everyday language. |
| AirDNA Market Coverage | It's the provider's primary documentation of what their dataset covers across Airbnb and Vrbo. | We used it to justify using STR analytics as a complement to official tourism statistics. We also used it to triangulate platform-level reality with Stats SA and Wesgro trends. |
| Tourism News Africa - Stellenbosch Tourism Study 2025 | It reports on the official Visit Stellenbosch tourism data study conducted by Futureneer Advisors. | We used it for the 570,840 foreign tourist figure and R13.1 billion economic contribution. We also used it to validate Stellenbosch's position as a major Western Cape tourism destination. |
| Visit Stellenbosch Events Calendar | Visit Stellenbosch is the official destination marketing organization for the town. | We used it to identify key events like Wine Town Stellenbosch that spike Airbnb demand. We also used it to advise hosts on when to adjust pricing and availability. |
| Hostaway South Africa Airbnb Compliance Guide 2026 | Hostaway is a major vacation rental software provider that maintains updated compliance guides. | We used it to cross-check the absence of national STR licensing requirements. We also used it to confirm the layered compliance framework that applies across South Africa. |
| Exchange-Rates.org Currency Converter | It's a widely used currency data provider trusted by financial publications. | We used it to convert all Rand figures to USD and EUR at current January 2026 rates. We applied roughly R16.4 per USD and R19.2 per EUR for conversions. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of South Africa. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
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