Title: Visit Free State: Best of Free State Tourism | Expedia Travel Guide - Expedia.ca [Free State Hotels](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-Free-State.d6051469.Hotel-Destinations)[Vacation Rentals in Free State](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-Free-State.d6051469.Vacation-Rental-Destinations)[Free State Flights](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-Free-State.d6051469.Flight-Destinations)[Things to do in Free State](https://expedia.ca/Things-To-Do-In-Free-State.d6051469.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Free State Car Rentals](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-Free-State.d6051469.Car-Rental-Destinations)[Free State Vacations](https://expedia.ca/Free-State.d6051469.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Free State ## South Africa ![On top of the Platberg mountain in Harrismith, South Africa. A challenging trek for a newbie mountain climber like myself, but so worth it. The landscape is surreal. Like looking out on a post-armageddon world... More photos and a story behind them, can be found here: http://www.earthseeing.com/the-climbing-of-platberg-mountain/ #southafrica #platberg #mountains #africa #landscape #hiking](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/180350/fe955690-094d-4bbb-af5a-b17dd496094d.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![On top of the Platberg mountain in Harrismith, South Africa. A challenging trek for a newbie mountain climber like myself, but so worth it. The landscape is surreal. Like looking out on a post-armageddon world... More photos and a story behind them, can be found here: http://www.earthseeing.com/the-climbing-of-platberg-mountain/ #southafrica #platberg #mountains #africa #landscape #hiking](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/180350/fe955690-094d-4bbb-af5a-b17dd496094d.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Clouds gathering around the edge of Platberg Mountain in Harrismith, South Africa. A town and a mountain worth some of your time. Hike it, climb to the top and get some amazing views of the dystopian landscape surrounding Harrismith. More about my mountain hike: http://www.earthseeing.com/the-climbing-of-platberg-mountain/ #southafrica #africa #platberg #harrismith #landscape #hiking](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/180350/313b06be-cd7d-49b2-ad6f-5d478053509f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![From the top of our hike in Clarens, South Africa](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6049301/95908f0b-34c0-4662-8717-6d7b9b684439.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![This place was just wonderful to wake up to. The sand stone type mountains with the sun rising just behind it early in the morning. People don't normally stop just outside Fouriesburg but there missing out.#BvSApplication ](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6352365/66aa5228-ccc9-40bd-9002-27b4c831a295.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) #### Traditionally an agricultural region, this South African province is home to European-style towns, scenic drives and outdoor adventures amid spectacular landscapes. The Free State, also known as Orange Free State, offers the chance to experience life in a laid-back South African province of great natural beauty. Discover a fusion of European and indigenous history, hike through dramatic mountain passes, spot colorful wildlife and enjoy boundless watersports. Free State sits in South Africa’s central region and borders six other provinces as well as the Kingdom of Lesotho. Listen to the province’s multicultural residents conversing in around half a dozen languages, including English. Start in the easygoing provincial capital, Bloemfontein. Admire grand 19th-century buildings. Visit art galleries and museums, such as the Anglo-Boer War Museum. Stroll along picturesque trails to spot local flora at the Free State National Botanic Gardens. Enjoy sweeping views from Naval Hill, a viewpoint in the inner-city Franklin Game Reserve. Travel north to Winburg, a town founded by Voortrekker pioneers and a gateway to the Willem Pretorius Game Reserve. See a slice of South Africa’s Boer history at towns such as Kroonstad, Frankfort and Heilbron. Join vacationers at resorts spread along the banks of Vaal Dam. One popular destination is Deneysville, where you can enjoy fishing, sailing and other watersports. Hike mountain trails and spot indigenous cave paintings around Vredefort Dome, one of the world’s largest meteorite sites. The province’s eastern region of Thabo Mofutsanyana epitomizes diversity. Visit Clarens, in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, for its lively arts scene. Participate in the annual Cherry Festival at Ficksburg or learn about Basotho tribal traditions at the Basotho Cultural Village. Travel along the scenic Highlands Route, which passes spectacular sandstone cliffs in Golden Gate National Park en route from Harrismith to Zastron. Free State experiences hot, humid summers and cold winters, especially toward the eastern mountains, where snowfall is common. Fly into Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein and get around via rental car or on overland tours. Take a side trip to Lesotho to hike or ride on horseback in the remote mountain ranges of a country fully contained within South Africa. ### Popular cities in Free State [Bloemfontein Known for Zoo, Universities and Wildlife ](https://expedia.ca/Bloemfontein.dx547) Get away to trendy Bloemfontein! Enjoy the zoo, wildlife, and gardens. [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Bloemfontein.dx547)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Bloemfontein-Hotels.d547.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Clarens Known for Friendly people, Mountains and Golf ](https://expedia.ca/Clarens.dx6049301) Get away to quaint Clarens! Enjoy the mountains, golf, and hiking. [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Clarens.dx6049301)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Clarens-Hotels.d6049301.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Maluti a Phofung Known for Mountains, Wildlife and Hiking ](https://expedia.ca/Maluti-A-Phofung.dx553248635943691682) Escape to secluded Maluti a Phofung! Enjoy its mountain views, hiking, and culture. [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Maluti-A-Phofung.dx553248635943691682)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Maluti-A-Phofung-Hotels.d553248635943691682.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Golden Gate Highlands National Park Known for Mountains, Hiking and Natural parks ](https://expedia.ca/Golden-Gate-Highlands-National-Park.dx6090759) Experience upscale Golden Gate Highlands National Park: its mountain views, hiking, canoeing, and more! [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Golden-Gate-Highlands-National-Park.dx6090759)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Golden-Gate-Highlands-National-Park-Hotels.d6090759.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Mohokare Known for Natural parks ](https://expedia.ca/Mohokare.dx553248635943690997) Mohokare awaits: its parks and more! [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Mohokare.dx553248635943690997)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Mohokare-Hotels.d553248635943690997.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Ngwathe Known for Rafting, Recreation and Coffee ](https://expedia.ca/Ngwathe.dx553248635943691671) Experience the rafting, coffee, and mountains in Ngwathe! [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Ngwathe.dx553248635943691671)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Ngwathe-Hotels.d553248635943691671.Travel-Guide-Hotels) ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/footer/bnaBanners/BEX_Footer.jpg) ## Go further with the Expedia app Save on select hotels and earn double points when you book on the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go. Scan the QR code with your device camera and download our app