Five Western Cape spots that feel like you’re in Tuscany, Italy

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You don’t have to book a flight to Italy to enjoy Tuscan vibes – South Africa’s Western Cape has its own version of rolling vineyards, rustic farmhouses, and long lunches under olive trees. Here are five places across the province that basically channel the laid-back, wine-soaked charm of beautiful Tuscany…

1. Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hermanus

Just outside the coastal town of Hermanus lies a valley whose name literally means “Heaven and Earth” -fitting, because that’s what it feels like. The rolling vineyards and cool sea breezes here, mimic the Maremma region of Tuscany. Wineries like Creation and Hamilton Russell, tucked between hills and trees, also offer slow-paced wine tastings and locally sourced meals with a view.

Take a look: #hemelenaardevalley

2. Cederberg Ridge, Cederberg Mountains

This one’s a little less expected, but hear me out: the terracotta-coloured mountains, dry air, and citrus orchards bring to mind inland Tuscany in the warmer months. Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge is the kind of off-the-grid escape where you eat homemade pasta, sip local wines, and stare out at rugged hills that look like they’ve been untouched for centuries. It’s rustic, warm, and surprisingly Mediterranean.

Take a look: #cederbergridge

3. Franschhoek

The Western Cape’s Franschhoek is basically South Africa’s answer to the Italian countryside! Surrounded by vineyards and mountains, this wine valley is known for its fine dining, historic estates, and long stretches of lavender and olive trees. A ride on the wine tram also feels like something straight out of Chianti, Italy. Pair a wine tasting at Grande Provence or La Motte with a slow afternoon lunch, and you’ll forget you’re just an hour from Cape Town!

Take a look: #franschhoek

4. Babylonstoren, Simondium

Babylonstoren is a working farm, winery, and luxury hotel in the Western Cape, that leans hard into the Tuscan aesthetic – stone buildings, lush gardens, fruit orchards, and a sense of peace that invites you to stay longer than planned. The design is both authentic and high-end, with a Mediterranean-style layout and a focus on farm-to-table living. Their restaurant, Babel, offers seasonal food straight from the garden – exactly the kind of simple, quality cooking you’d expect in rural Italy.

Take a look: #babylonstoren

5. Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch isn’t just a student town – it’s wine country at its best, with terracotta-roofed estates, cypress-lined drives, as well as views that stretch for days. Delaire Graff Estate and Rust en Vrede both have a distinctly European atmosphere, from the manicured gardens to the slow food philosophy. You could be sipping Chardonnay overlooking vineyards here or in the hills of Tuscany – it’s the same relaxed luxury!

Take a look: #stellenbosch