4 South African towns that give Italian lake district vibes
No need to hop on a plane to Milan or Venice for a peaceful, European-style lakeside getaway. South Africa offers it right here at home.
Italy’s iconic lake district, Como, Garda, and Maggiore, draws visitors with its mountain backdrops, calm waters, and charming towns.
But South Africa offers its slice of that serene beauty.
You can visit these four local towns that mirror the tranquility and elegance of their Italian counterparts, with a distinctly South African flair.
1. Knysna, Western Cape, South Africa
Feels like: Lake Maggiore meets small-town charm
Knysna isn’t technically a lake town – it wraps around a vast estuary – but the feeling is the same. The glassy lagoon, ringed by forested hills and cut off from the sea by dramatic cliffs, feels like something out of northern Italy. Add in cosy cafés, boutique guesthouses, and sailboats drifting in the bay, and you’ve got all the ingredients of an Italian escape, minus the passport.
2. Kaapsehoop, Mpumalanga
Feels like: A misty escape on Lake Como’s quieter shores
Tucked in the highlands near Barberton, Kaapsehoop sits near mountain-fed lakes and offers misty mornings, wild horses, and cobbled lanes. There’s a slow, romantic pace here – much like the quiet back villages of Lombardy. Come for the trout fishing, stay for the storybook setting.
3. Sedgefield, Western Cape
Feels like: Garda’s peaceful southern edge
Set between George and Knysna, Sedgefield is surrounded by lagoons and lakes backed by dune forests. It’s sleepy in the best way – ideal for paddleboarding, birdwatching, and long lunches with a view. It has that same off-the-beaten-path feel you get in Italy’s less touristy lakeside towns.
4. Underberg and Lake Naverone, KwaZulu-Natal
Feels like: Alpine lake villages in the Italian Dolomites
Tucked into the Drakensberg mountains, Lake Naverone is an artificial body of water surrounded by chalet-style cabins. The snowy peaks in winter, rolling green hills in summer, and glassy water year-round give it a distinctly European alpine-lake feel. Underberg adds rustic charm and easy access to hiking, fly-fishing, and horseback trails.