4 places in South Africa that channel the Italian countryside
South Africa might be thousands of kilometres from Italy, but you don't need a passport to feel like you've stepped into the Tuscan hills or the vineyards of Umbria. Across the country, a handful of places capture the look, feel, and slow-living vibe of the Italian countryside – with a South African twist. Take a look…
Why it feels Italian: Hilltop stays and rustic romance
South Africa's Magaliesberg mountain range – just an hour from Johannesburg – offers rolling green hills, quaint lodges, and old-world charm that mirrors northern Italy's Lake District. Properties like Mount Grace Hotel or De Hoek Country Hotel evoke villa-style getaways, where stone pathways, manicured gardens, and terracotta roofs set the mood. Hartbeespoort Dam and the Magaliesberg Mountains. Image: canva
Why it feels Italian: Vineyards, mountains, and fine food
Franschhoek may be French in name, but parts of this wine valley look and feel straight out of Tuscany. Think cypress-lined driveways, ochre-hued farmhouses, and terraces overlooking endless vineyards. The surrounding mountains echo the Apennines, and the Mediterranean-style climate seals the deal. Many wine estates here lean into an Italian countryside aesthetic – with terraced gardens, fountains, and even olive groves. Franschhoek, Western Cape. Image: canva
Why it feels Italian: Olive farms, slow living, and sunbaked soil
Less commercial than Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, Robertson feels like a secret corner of a rural Italian countryside. The town is surrounded by wine estates and olive farms, with dusty roads winding through sun-drenched vineyards. It's peaceful, pastoral, and perfect for long lunches and countryside picnics. Robertson Wine Valley. Image: canva
Why it feels Italian: Mediterranean coast meets local fishing village
This seaside village on the West Coast might be South African to its core, but its whitewashed buildings, cerulean sea, and simple coastal life scream southern Italian countryside. Paternoster feels like a cross between Sicily and the Amalfi coast – minus the crowds. The town's food scene, with its seafood pastas and oceanfront bistros, could pass for a small Italian beach town. Paternoster, Western Cape. Image: canva
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