Thinking of Greece? These 5 Western Cape towns could be even better
The Western Cape delivers a Greece-like experience with its coastal charm, breathtaking scenery, and a lifestyle that speaks in quiet, subtle tones.
Greece offers the dream: whitewashed buildings, deep blue seas, sun-drenched terraces, grilled seafood, and ancient ruins.
But before you spend a fortune chasing that Aegean escape, take a moment to consider the Western Cape. It serves up its own Mediterranean charm—often with fewer crowds and at a much lower cost.
These five towns bring a unique mix of Greek island atmosphere with a proudly South African flair. Here’s where you can go instead…
1. Paternoster, Western Cape – South Africa’s Santorini
White-walled cottages. Azure skies. A windswept coastline. Sound familiar? Paternoster, a tiny West Coast fishing village, feels like it was teleported straight from the Cyclades. The town showcases minimalist architecture and a soft colour palette that evokes Greece, but with the wild Atlantic in place of the Aegean. Lobster takes the place of calamari, and a crisp Chenin Blanc fills your glass instead of ouzo. Best of all, you won’t find crowds jostling for sunset views.
2. Kalk Bay – Like Hydra, but with surfboards
Greece has Hydra. South Africa has Kalk Bay. Both are artistic, salty little ports where time slows down and cats lounge in sun-drenched corners. But Kalk Bay brings its flavour: laid-back surfers, quirky antique stores, and world-class fish and chips right on the harbour. The rugged cliffs and old-world charm are just as photogenic as anything in the Saronic Gulf, and the train rolling past the sea only adds to the romance.
3. Knysna, Garden Route, Western Cape – A lush take on coastal living
Blend Greece’s Ionian islands with a coastal rainforest, and you get Knysna. Its dramatic lagoon, thick forests, and sandstone cliffs create a breathtaking scene that leaves an instant impression. Swap olive groves for milkwood forests, and trade feta and tomato for oysters and wild herbs. Knysna may be quieter than Mykonos and far greener, but it’s every bit as enchanting.
4. Prince Albert – A dry island in the Karoo
Stay with us, Greece isn’t just about beaches. Islands like Naxos and Milos are stark, sun-drenched, and minimalist. That’s exactly the vibe you’ll find in Prince Albert. Tucked at the base of the Swartberg mountains, this quiet, soulful town features whitewashed houses, stone-paved streets, and intense sun, capturing that same stripped-down beauty. Trade Greek Orthodox chapels for Cape Dutch gables, and you’ve got the Karoo’s answer to the Cyclades.
5. St. Helena Bay – Serenity without tourists
The Greek islands are beautiful, yes. But they’re not exactly secret. If you’re chasing peace, St. Helena Bay is your fix. The bay curves like a sheltering arm, the water is calm, and the sunsets are god-tier. It’s not flashy or busy. It’s honest, clean, and uncluttered, like the Greece you imagine but rarely find. And the seafood? Still straight off the boat.