Attractions, Places of Interest & Popular Destinations
Embraced by several of South Africa’s provinces and sharing a border with the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, the Free State lies in the heart of the country, between the Vaal River in the north and the Orange River in the south.
Did you know? The Free State’s major appeal is its natural beauty, open farmlands, and uninterrupted sky, quirky, idiosyncratic towns and villages, interesting road routes, and the vast rocky mountain area of the East Highlands.
The Free State is a rural province of wide horizons and blue skies, with farmland, mountains, goldfields and widely dispersed towns. This tranquil land of the windmill is famous for its warm South African hospitality and a mix of culture which is clearly evident in street names, public buildings, monuments and museums. Dressed sandstone buildings abound the highlands, while beautifully decorated Sotho houses dot the grasslands. Some of South Africa's most valued San (Bushman) rock art is found in the Free State.
The Free State is divided into 5 distinct regions and offers many 'must-see' attractions. Select a region from the brief descriptions below to view in-depth information about each region and to see popular attractions and destinations in these areas.
Top Attractions
Golden Gate National Park
Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north-eastern Free State lies the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The park d...
Free State National Botanical Garden
On the north western fringes of Bloemfontein lie 70 hectares of botanical garden, in a valley peppered with dolerite koppies, tall grassland and ...
National Museum Bloemfontein
Notable for its large collection of fossils, cultural historical exhibits and archaeological displays, including the Florisbad skull which was di...
Vredefort Dome
The Vredefort dome is the oldest and largest meteorite impact site (Asrobleme) in the world. Formed an estimated 2000 million years ago when a gi...
Basotho Cultural Village
A visit to the Basotho Cultural Village which nestles at the foot of huge sandstone mountains, will give you a deeper insight into the lifestyle ...
Destinations / Regions of Free State
Bloemfontein
Overnight? Accommodation in Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is perched near the centre of South Africa, on the road between Cape Town in the Western Cape and Johannesburg in Gauteng. It is one of the largest cities in the country, but is known for its natural prettiness and warm hospitality....
Motheo Region
Overnight? Accommodation in Motheo Region
Motheo is one of five districts of the Free State in South Africa. The term ‘Motheo’ comes from the Sesotho for “foundation” or “cornerstone” and was consciously chosen to represent the heartbeat of the province, regarded as an area of entrepren...
Thabo Mofutsanyana
Overnight? Accommodation in Thabo Mofutsanyana
Resting between the Orange River in the south and the Vaal River in the north, the Thabo Mofutsanyana (Eatern Free State) boasts a rugged and mountainous area in the east that is completely contrary to the Free State image of endless maize field...
Northern Free State
Overnight? Accommodation in Northern Free State
The Northern Free State is at once rural and far enough from the major tourist routes to offer a hint of true ‘platteland’ living to newcomers and locals alike. It is not only the most accessible part of the Free State to Gauteng - it lies not e...
Xhariep Region
Overnight? Accommodation in Xhariep Region
Lying in the south western Free State, the Xhariep Region, named after the Gariep Dam, is typically dry and probably the region most likely to fulfil the picture held by many of the Free State as a place of endless space, vast tracts of sheep an...
Lejweleputswa
Overnight? Accommodation in Lejweleputswa
The name Lejweleputswa, meaning ‘gray rock’, replaces the rather mundane former ‘Free State Goldfields’ that lacked the imagination of the African name that now describes the area in the Free State with a history rich in gold prospecting and min...
Additional Reading
Find accommodation in Free State
South Africa Accommodation / Free State Accommodation
Ridge Road Country House
Create your own 'Year in Provence' in this beautiful stone French style farmhouse with natural rock pool. It has featured in Elle Décor, Country ...
Vaal Dam Homestead
Vaal Dam Homestead is situated in Deneysville and accommodates 20 guests. From here you are an hour and a half outside of Johannesburg and near t...
Waterford House
Situated in the picturesque Clarens Golf Estate, Waterford House Holiday Home in Clarens offers accommodation for eight guests. There are a numbe...
Saints Rest
Saint’s Rest is a self catering holiday home located in Clarens on the golf course. The house sleeps eight guests in four bedrooms each with an e...
Clarens Mansion
Clarens Mansion offers accommodation in Clarens, a small town located in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains in the Free State. The town is wel...
Fairways Villa
Located on the Clarens Golf Estate, Fairways Villa provides accommodation for 10 guests. The house is within close proximity to lovely shops, res...
Wild Horses Lodge
Wild Horses Lodge is the perfect location for a luxurious romantic getaway. With its panoramic views of the majestic Platberg Mountain and the va...
Vaal Dam Home in a Wellness Centre
Vaal Dam Home in a Wellness Centre offers accommodation for six guests in Deneysville, Free State. The house overlooks a labyrinth and is situate...
Hilltop Cottage Clarens
Hilltop Cottage offers accommodation in a charming Karoo style cottage built on solid rock. There is a lovely, newly planted enclosed garden with...