The city of Bloemfontein is centrally situated in the province of the Free State; therefore, Bloemfontein is also located roughly in the middle of South Africa.  Bloemfontein’s position between Johannesburg and Cape Town means that it has neither a big-city vibe nor an ocean.  It also has no rush hour traffic, no road rage, and no urban sprawl either.  It’s just a nice little city in the middle of the country.  However, Bloemfontein does boast other attractions.       

The name Bloemfontein literally means “Spring of Flowers’, hence the city’s nickname of “City of Roses”.  It is a pretty name that Bloemfontein actually lives up to.  Bloemfontein is planted with thousands of rose bushes, which makes for a fabulously colourful roadside display.  The green theme is carried a bit further by a small nature reserve called Naval Hill, located right in the centre of the city.  The Orchid House is another must for floral lovers, as well as the Free State Botanical Gardens on the outskirts of the city.

Bloemfontein has a number of art galleries and some interesting museums, including the War Museum and the National Women’s Monument – a poignant reminder if ever there was one of the futility and ferocity of war.  Even though Bloemfontein is thus not exactly the tourist mecca of South Africa, it is still a good stopover place if you’re driving the N1, and it’s definitely worth spending a day there if you have the time.  There are decent restaurants, some nice pubs, and some good live music venues.  It is also the closest city to the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Bloemfontein functions as one of three capitals of South Africa, as it serves as the judicial capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.