Bloemfontein is a must-see city on your tour of South Africa. It is located roughly in the centre of the country, in the Free State province, and is the judicial capital of South Africa. Tourists may know it as the birthplace of the famous Lord of the Rings writer, J.R.R. Tolkien, but this land is more famous for its flower.
The literal translation of Bloemfontein from Afrikaans is ‘fountain of flowers’, which is why the city is nicknamed ‘The City of Roses’. As such, the annual Rose Festival is a popular local event. It boasts impressive museums, a large zoo, a casino, and its streets are noted for their architecture.
What to See in Bloemfontein
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1. South African Arms Museum
The SA Armour Museum has displays of tanks, weaponry and an original military hospital. Overlooking the city is Naval Hill, with a striking white horse marking its slopes. The horse was introduced during the Anglo-Boer War as a signal to approach horsemen.
Naval Hill is also home to a statue of Nelson Mandela, placed in direct view of the ANC’s birthplace in Bloemfontein.
Admission to the weapons museum is available from 09:00 to 16:00 every day except Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, and is free of charge.
2. Planetarium
Africa’s first digital planetarium south of the Sahara is located near the weapons museum. It is also home to one of South Africa’s most advanced planetariums, which has undergone a massive refurbishment.
The Naval Hill Planetarium was established at the former Lemont Hussey Observatory.
For groups of more than four, it is R20 per person (children, adults and students).
3. Free State Botanical Garden
Bloemfontein is home to the Free State province’s only botanical garden, tropical oasis and home of orchids. If you need a little pick-me-up, its bright flowers are always in bloom in King’s Park, where you can visit the popular art markets every month and enjoy all they have to offer.
This garden, on the outskirts of Bloemfontein, sprawls through a valley between picturesque dolerite koppies.
The garden covers 70 hectares and is home to some 400 species of plants, mainly from the Free State, Northern Cape and Lesotho.
It is open 24 hours a day, with tables open from 11:00 until late.
4. Windmill Casino
Windmill Casino is located just off the N1 highway in Bloemfontein. It has 350 slot machines and 13 gaming tables. The Sun International property features a top-rated hotel, excellent restaurants and fantastic entertainment for all members of the family.
The Windmill Bloemfontein Casino recognises its most loyal players with access to the Salon Privé.
It’s open 24 hours a day, and tables are open from 11:00 until late.
5. National Women’s Monument
The memorial commemorates the suffering of some 27,000 Boer women and children who died in British concentration camps during the Boer War. The monument has been declared a Provincial Heritage Site in the Free State.
What to do around Bloemfontein?
1. Franklin Nature Reserve
Franklin Nature Reserve is home to a dynamic array of wildlife, and interacting with cheetahs is another must-see. This reserve has been offering a tour of beautiful wildlife since its opening in 1930. It is open Monday to Sunday from 8:00 to 18:00.
2. Oliewenhuis Art Museum
The Oliewenhuis Art Museum is also a must-see tourist attraction in Bloemfontein. This mansion, located on Grant’s Hill, served as the residence for the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa from 1942, and it was in 1985, after a prolonged campaign by Bloemfontein’s art-loving citizens for an art museum, that former state president PW Botha handed over the residence to the National Museum for the purpose of converting it into an art museum.
It is set in one of the most magnificent gardens in the city, a large part of the property comprising natural vegetation bordering the museum grounds.
Surrounded by 12 hectares of natural vegetation on Grant’s Hill, the Oliewenhuis Art Museum offers access to four marked walking trails through an unspoilt natural environment.
You can visit Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 16:30pm. On Saturday it is open from 10:00am to 15:00pm. Admission costs R10, children pay 2 and students 5.
3. Fourth Raadsaal
Across the street from the Bloemfontein Court of Appeal is the Fourth Raadsaal, one of the finest buildings in the city. The Fourth Raadsaal is a red-brick Renaissance-style building with a prominent dome and an Ionic-columned portico. Admission to the building is free of charge.
The last session of Parliament of the former Boer republic of the Orange Free State was held here before the occupation of Bloemfontein by British forces in March 1900. Today, the building houses the Free State’s Provincial Legislature.
What to do in one day in Bloemfontein?
If you’re just passing through or only have a day to visit Bloemfontein’s highlights, here are the places you can’t miss. Start your tour by visiting the Bloemfontein National Museum to soak up the art, culture and history of Bloemfontein. Then move on to Fourth Raadsaal and take in the spectacular architecture. Don’t forget the Old Presidency, a museum, art gallery and theatre in the city of Bloemfontein, South Africa, located on President Brand Street in the heart of the city. And end your day with a visit to Naval Hill Nature Reserve, which will give you spectacular views of the city.
Where to stay in Bloemfontein?
- Protea Hotel by Marriott Bloemfontein: this modern 4-star hotel This modern low-rise hotel is just off the N8 road and is 5 km from the centre of Bloemfontein, 6 km from the University of the Free State and 2 km from Bloemfontein Zoo. It has an outdoor swimming pool and nightly rates are around 90 euros per room.
- Mountain Gem: Curious accommodation is set in a lush garden in Baysvalley, Bloemfontein. Beautiful sunsets can be seen from the boma and braai area. The night costs about 47 euros.
- Southern Sun Bloemfontein: Family-run three-star hotel just off the N8 highway, near the Mimosa shopping centre, 2km from the National Museum and 3km from the Oliewenhuis Art Museum.
- De Akker Guest House: You can take a dip in the outdoor pool, or take advantage of the free services on offer, which include free Wi-Fi and unassisted parking. Other highlights of this stylish bed and breakfast include a terrace and a garden. Travellers speak highly of its breakfast and central location. Rooms prices are at €43 per night.
Where and what to eat in Bloemfontein?
- Iewers Nice: a restaurant offering live music with vegetarian and pet-friendly options. Its diners recommend chicken curry, its appealing kos or its surprising gnocchi.
- Tsobo’s Kitchen: African cuisine restaurant. Its dishes are slow-cooked, with a base of salt and a variety of mild spices to enhance the flavour. It has been open since 2007 and also offers takeaway.
- Bella Casa: Italian food restaurant with a wide selection of wines. Open Monday to Saturday from 12am to 10pm and on Sundays from 11:30am to 3pm.
- Nando’s Bloemfontein (Nelson Mandela Dr): this is an Afro-Portuguese restaurant chain that serves grilled chicken with spicy chili sauce.
- Koekela Huiskafee: their cuisine uses fresh, local ingredients, changing their menu according to the season. They offer everything from breakfasts served all day, light lunches, burgers, pies, cakes, baked goods and take-home meals. Vegan menu, catering and cakes available too.
How to get to Bloemfontein?
Bloemfontein is served by an airport and is located roughly in the centre of the country. You can also get to the nearby airports of Bram Bloemfontein, East London, George, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth or Upingto. To move around the city, you can use a private car or a bus.
What you need to know before travelling to Bloemfontein?
- Bloemfontein has extreme summer and mid-winter temperatures, so the most pleasant times to visit the city are spring and autumn – from May to September.
- If you go in October, you can get up close to the week-long Bloemfontein Rose Festival in that month of the year.
- There is not much distance between the sights, but it is advisable to have a vehicle so you can explore the city better.
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