Italy
Where history, beauty and everyday life meet.
A morning coffee in a sunlit piazza. A long lunch that becomes an afternoon. A train slipping through the countryside. Renaissance art around one corner, a medieval village around the next. Mountains, lakes, vineyards, islands and some of the world's great cities - all within a country shaped by thousands of years of history.
Italy lies in southern Europe, extending from the Alps in the north to the Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Sardinia. It covers about 301,000 km² and is home to around 59 million people. Its economy is built around a diverse mix of manufacturing, services, tourism, agriculture, fashion, design, food and wine, with major regional differences across the country.
At a Glance
Capital cities
Population
Currency
Time zones
Rome
Approximately 58.94 million residents.
Euro (€)
Central European Time / Central European Summer Time
Official languages
Italian, with recognised minority languages and significant regional linguistic traditions.
Regions
20
Government
Republic with a parliamentary system; the President is head of state, while the Government is headed by the President of the Council of Ministers.
Climate
Varied Mediterranean
The Land
A country shaped by mountains, sea and centuries of cultivation
Italy stretches from the Alps in the north to the Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Sardinia in the south.
The landscape changes dramatically along the way.
There are snow-covered Alpine peaks and the dramatic limestone formations of the Dolomites; the lakes of northern Italy; rolling hills and vineyards in Tuscany and Piedmont; the Apennines running down the spine of the peninsula; Mediterranean coastlines; volcanic landscapes; and islands scattered across the surrounding seas.
Italy's official tourism portal describes its regions as remarkably diverse in climate, landscape, food, architecture and even language — something that becomes particularly apparent when travelling from north to south.
The land has long been shaped by people as much as by nature. Vineyards, olive groves, terraced hillsides, historic farms and cultivated landscapes sit alongside forests, wetlands, mountains and protected areas.
People & Culture
South Africa's cultural landscape is extraordinarily diverse. Major cultural communities include isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sotho-speaking peoples, Tswana, Ndebele, Venda, Tsonga, Swati communities and Afrikaans- and English-speaking South Africans, alongside Indian, Cape Malay, Khoisan and many other cultural traditions.
These identities aren't simply historical categories. They continue to shape language, food, music, art, architecture, ceremony and everyday life.
Welcome to
South Africa
Our proudly South African ambassador Trevor Noah, answers your questions about South Africa — a campaign by South African Tourism.
History & Heritage
South Africa's present cannot be separated from its past. Colonialism, segregation and apartheid profoundly shaped the country's people, cities and landscapes. Today, that history forms an important part of the visitor experience — from museums and memorials to former political sites and living communities.
The Social Landscape
A country of extraordinary possibility — and real complexity
South Africa is a country of extraordinary natural and cultural wealth, but also significant social and economic inequality.
The legacy of apartheid continues to influence patterns of wealth, housing, education, employment and access to opportunity. Poverty, unemployment, crime and unequal access to infrastructure remain important social challenges.
Food
Come hungry
South African food is a reflection of the country's many cultural influences.
You'll find indigenous African culinary traditions alongside Cape Malay, Indian, Dutch, Malay, Portuguese and British influences — and increasingly sophisticated contemporary South African cuisine.
Because it tastes better when it starts with a “B”...
Braai
More than a barbecue, the braai is a social ritual built around fire, food and gathering.
Bunny Chow
A Durban speciality consisting of a hollowed loaf of bread filled with curry.
Bobotie
A fragrant Cape Malay-influenced dish of spiced minced meat topped with an egg-based custard.
Biltong
Cured, dried meat that has become one of South Africa's best-known food traditions.
And then there’s pap & chakalaka...
Some things simply belong together.
A comforting South African staple of creamy maize porridge served with spicy, flavour-packed chakalaka relish.
Simple, hearty and full of character - a favourite at tables across the country.
Traditional Sweets
And because every great South African meal deserves a sweet ending.
Koeksister
Plaited pastries, deep-fried and soaked in syrup until wonderfully sticky and sweet.
Melktert
A delicate pastry filled with silky milk custard and finished with a dusting of cinnamon.
Malva Pudding
A warm, soft baked pudding with apricot jam, traditionally served drenched in a rich, custard.
A World of Wines
Where Every Glass Tells a Story
South Africa’s wine country is a feast for the senses, where centuries-old vineyards meet breathtaking mountains, charming estates and warm hospitality. From the elegant reds of Stellenbosch to crisp whites from Constantia and the scenic beauty of the Cape Winelands, wine tasting is as much about the journey as it is about the glass.
Whether you’re a passionate wine lover or simply looking for a beautiful day out, South Africa offers unforgettable wine experiences, with many estates welcoming visitors to relax, explore and savour the flavours of the Cape.
South Africa As A Tourist Destination
A country built for discovery
City life
Cape Town · Durban · Johannesburg
Wine & food
Cape Winelands · farm-to-table experiences · contemporary restaurants
Adventure
Mountain landscapes · diving · hiking · whale watching
Wildlife
Kruger · private reserves · conservation experiences
Culture & history
Museums · heritage sites · township experiences · living cultural traditions
Coast & ocean
Garden Route · KwaZulu-Natal · Western Cape
Luxury
Boutique hotels · lodges · villas
Access in South Africa
A destination with strong foundations — but uneven reality.
South Africa has a significant policy foundation for accessibility and Universal Access.
The Constitution protects equality and prohibits unfair discrimination on the grounds of disability.
The Department of Tourism has also explicitly recognised Universal Accessibility in Tourism as important to the country's tourism competitiveness. Its definition of accessible tourism encompasses mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive access and emphasises independence, equity and dignity.
South Africa's tourism policy continues to identify Universal Accessibility as an area requiring attention and research, including understanding the barriers experienced by travellers with disabilities.
But policy is not the same as experience.
And this is where Able2Travel comes in.
Accessibility can vary considerably between cities, provinces, properties and experiences. A hotel may have an accessible room but an inaccessible restaurant. A safari lodge may be able to accommodate a wheelchair user but have challenging terrain. An attraction may advertise accessibility without providing enough detail about transfers, bathrooms, circulation or independent use.
Transport can vary significantly depending on location and vehicle. This is why we don't rely on the word “accessible.”