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 The Free State lies at the heart of South Africa – and the hearts of visitors will be won over by the majesty of the scenery and the friendliness of the people. Here fields of sunflowers and maize stretch as far as the eye can see.
There are attractive holiday resorts on the banks of the Vaal and Orange Rivers and it is an ideal province for those who enjoy outdoor adventure. Hiking trails through the lush valleys and gorges, mountain streams offering trout fishing and dams which are great for watersports.
Important towns include Welkom, the dynamic pulsing heart of the goldfields and one of the few completely pre-planned cities in the world; Odendaalsrus, another goldmining town; Sasolburg, which owes its existence to the petrol-from-coal installation established there; Kroonstad, an important agricultural, administrative and educational centre; Parys on the banks of the Vaal River.
Bloemfontein, the capital city, is centrally situated roughly in the middle of the Province, as well as in South Africa. The "City of Roses", as it had become known locally, is placed with more pivotal importance than any other city in the country. The Judicial Capital, sixth largest city in South Africa, lies on the main road, rail and air links between north and south, east and west.
 The road network density of the province is the third-highest in the country. The big national road which is the artery between Gauteng and the Western and Eastern Cape, passes through the middle of the Free State.
Ladybrand is the gateway to the Kingdom of Lesotho situated in the Eastern Free State.
Ficksburg is the cherry capital with the fruit blossoming in September. Lesotho is also accessible from here.
Fouriesburg and Clarens are ideal stopover towns on the journey to or from the Cape to Natal or the game areas of Mpumalanga. They are delightful, scenic towns from which to explore the natural surrounding beauty of the Eastern Free State as well as viewing the excellent examples of San Rock Art to be found.
Twelve kilometres away from Clarens and at the foot of the Maluti Mountains lies the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, which is renowned for its magnificent scenery. Weird rock formations in various shades of russet, ochre and purple, which have been sculpted from the sandstone cliffs by wind and rain, form a spectacular backdrop to the park. The park derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the park's sandstone cliffs, especially the imposing Brandwag rock, keeping vigil over the main rest camp.
Phuthaditjhaba is well-known for the beautiful handcrafted items produced by the local people and a base to explore the Sotho culture in the surrounding mountains and Qwa Qwa. Bethlehem is the gateway to the Eastern Highlands of the Free State from Gauteng.
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