Clarens is a fascinating city located in the Maluti Mountains in the Free State of South Africa, one that houses a whole lot of fun and amusement parks, picnic sites, restaurants, beaches, mountains, and many more.
Making it a preferred and favorite pick as well for visitors and tourists looking for a region nice to visit or spend their holidays in, as it has a wide range of activities to keep its guests entertained, both outdoor enthusiasts and introverts.
Want to find out more about some of those interesting tourist destinations to consider visiting during your stay in the region, Here are some of the top things to do in Clarens, South Africa:
Fun Things To Do In Clarens, South Africa
1. Hangout at the Golden Gate Highlands, National Park
Paying a visit to the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, perhaps to come out in the company of family and friends, makes its way into our list of fun things and places to visit in Clarens, one tourist destination made famous for the gold shade of its sandstone cliffs, which comes from the rays of the sun.
This national park, which also happens to be one of the favorites of its residents, is where you get to enjoy breathtaking vistas and a tranquil atmosphere upon visiting and choosing to be part of its guided tours.
Why should I visit?
Here, you get to hang out in its natural scenery of ravines, grasslands, enormous woodlands, and gullies, as well as sandstone formations, though there is also the option of catching up with a wide range of species that are flourishing within its environs.
Address: Clarens, 9707, South Africa
2. Visit the Bibliophile Bookshop
Next is visiting the Bibliophile Bookshop, which is something to try out with certainty for book readers and enthusiasts. The most fascinating bookshop is blessed with a wonderful selection of new and preloved books that are worth reading over and over again.
Should you also happen to come across a book of particular interest to you, there is also the opportunity to pick it up for purchase, be it original Reader’s Digest volumes, English encyclopedias, classical poetry, or biographies.
What other things happen here?
Aside from scanning and reading through its different selections of books, the testimonies of people who had previously visited say that it is one of the coziest places in Clarens for couples looking to spend some romantic time with one another.
Address: 312 Church St, Clarens, 9707, South Africa
3. Check out the Johan Smith Art Gallery
Just as we have something to try out for book readers in the tourist destination of Bibliophile Bookshop, is there something for art lovers and enthusiasts to try out as well?
Being a tourist destination offering a variety of attractions for visitors of all ages, meaning you can come alongside your kids or little ones, there is no better place to learn about the rich culture and history of Africa.
What should I expect?
Being one of the top tourist attractions in the city, guests showing up here would be privileged to get to set their sights on its sizable collection of fine art, mostly made up of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glass, and many other materials, as they all point at exhibiting African cultural heritage.
Address: 18 Broster St, Bethlehem, Clarens, 9700, South Africa
4. Hike into the Clarens Conservancy
Having spent most of your day indoors upon visiting Claren and pondering the idea of something different to try out outdoors, it is about time you tried out the well-liked outdoor activity of hiking deep into the Clarens Conservancy, one in which you got to enjoy a picturesque walk via the Clarens Conservancy Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
This is an experience to be relieved by the variety of trails in and around Clarens already provided, such as the Kloof and Dam Walk, Spruit Walk, or the longer Kloof Mountain Trai, all of which should take around three hours to complete.
What should I expect?
Just as it has been highlighted already, guests get to enjoy hiking on its designated trails and routes while also exploring the beautiful scenery it offers.
Address: Berg St, Clarens, 9707, South Africa.
5. Enjoy White Water Rafting with Clarens Xtreme
The Clarens Xtremh serves the dual purpose of being a recreational hub as well as a tourist attraction, offering a variety of amazing, heart-pounding activities in and around Clarens, most especially as it concerns whitewater rafting, which is more popular among them all.
ClarensXtreme,e which happens to be a body of water, does usher both visitors and tourists alike to come to enjoy white water rafting in the company of family members and friends in the safest of environments with knowledgeable guides.
What do they offer?
The Clarens Xtreme offers a memorable whitewater rafting experience, as well as stunning scenery and great birdlife.
Address: 531 Sias Oosthuizen St, Clarens, 9707, South Africa.
6. Go Mountain Biking up in the hills
Mountain biking is an adventure you don’t always get to enjoy In any coastal town In South Africa at large, so you might want to consider yourself lucky for visiting this town as it is an adventure that happens to be as well one of the outdoor goodies Clarens has to offer.
All that is expected of you to do is to stop by at Clarens Xtreme to pick up anyone of its maps which is being sold for a little token to assist them out with more information about the different path to be followed and sticked with as you go about enjoying mountain biking.
What should I expect?
Guests showing up here get to embark on a trip in any of its nearby routes on a bike, riding through notable places, such as Clarens Village Conservancy.
Address: Clarens, 9707, South Africa
7. Grab a glass of beer at Clarens Brewery
The Clarens Brewery is a favorite destination for residents to come hang out and relax with a glass of beer in hand, something you might as well want to consider trying out should you happen to be a lover of beer with the desire to have a taste of both it’s local and continental cocktails.
Situated and operating right between the majestic Maluti Mountains, there is no better and perfect spot in the area to come enjoy fruity English ale, stout, IPA, and German-style unfiltered beers than at the Clarens Brewery.
What do they offer?
The Clarens Brewery does offer a delicious range of filling dishes that go hand in hand with your preferred pick of beer.
Address: Shop 1, Rosemary Centre, 326 Market Street, Oos St., Clarens, 9707, South Africa.
8. Enjoy Horse Riding Outdoors
Enjoying horseback riding outdoors during your break hours is another family-friendly activity to consider trying out, one that can be used to keep yourself busy and entertained at the same time.
Amid plenty of outdoor and related activities in Clarens, this is one to be enjoyed in the Clarens wilderness, hopping on the back of an already-provided horse and enjoying a memorable ride around the mountains and deep into the forests.
What should I expect?
Here, you get to enjoy an hour-long morning ride into the mountains around the village or a two-hour sundowner ride on a cowboy ranch.
Address: Clarens, 9707, South Africa
9. Go golfing at the Clarens Golf Estate
Being a coastal town blessed with a vast number of landscapes, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you to come across a golf estate in the area, one such golf estate being the Clarens Golf Estate, which is a par 71 golf course located in the center of Clarens.
Getting ushered into its premises with the presence of an incredibly chic and opulent clubhouse, this is an ideal location to come enjoy a pleasant round of golf on the course while also taking in the breathtaking view of Mount Horeb and its beautifully maintained Kikuyu fairways and Bentgrass greens.
What should I expect?
Here, you get to enjoy the tranquil pleasure of golfing in its serene environment and setting of magnificent Lombardi poplar trees.
Address: 1. Protea Hotel Clarens. Address: Corner of Main and Van Der Merwe.
Also, Read 20 Fun Things To Do In Nieu Bethesda, South Africa
10. Take part in the Visit the Cherry festival
The Cherry Festival is held in Clarens and is a fascinating annual festival every month of November at the very 3rd week of the month, one that is famous and popular for being South Africa’s oldest agricultural celebration.
Made up of cherry tours, a golf classic, a half-marathon, cherry and product competitions, veteran car exhibitions, equestrian competitions, and beer festivals, this is an exciting event you certainly should make plans to be part of.
What should I expect?
This is an event of mostly food and wine, accompanied by the presence of well-known national figure, and well-known South African artists to usher in a live musical performance.
Address: Clarens, 9707, South Africa
11. Visit the Lions Rock Big Cat Sanctuary
Visiting the Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary comes next on our list of fun things to do in the area, an experience that gets to see you breaking barriers and getting up and personal with lions, leopards, tigers, caracals, and cheetahs—an embodiment of wildlife generally.
Being an embodiment of wildlife generally, visitors and tourists showing up here get to embark on a game drive trip to relieve this experience to the fullest and observe the area’s wildlife in motion, most notably checking out areas with the presence of lions and tigers.
What should I expect?
Aside from checking out its wildlife, which includes wildebeests, zebras, eland, duikers, impalas, and a variety of large bird species, it also has a restaurant, a pool, and lodge-style lodgings on-site for you to check out as well.
Address: Farm Kleinbloemhof, Bethlehem, Clarens 9700, South Africa.
12. Try out the Hot Air Balloon Ride
Embarking on a hot air balloon ride is not something you get to come across frequently in the whole of South Africa at large, making it another must-do activity while in Clarens, one that is mostly suitable to be tried out by married couples since it can be very romantic as well.
This experience sees both residents and those visiting enjoying a balloon flight over Clarens with Hot Air Ballooning SA, taking in the breathtaking views and scenery of the Maluti Mountains and surroundings.
Why should you try it out?
This adventure is one to be tried out on special events such as a birthday, wedding anniversary, or surprise engagement, since it can be very thrilling and also help bring the sparks of a romantic feeling or lovely moment to be spent with family members.
Address: Clarens, 9707, South Africa
13. Stop by for a selfie with Titanic Rock
Titanic Rock is probably the most well-known sandstone cliff and one of the favorite spots being visited the most by visitors and tourists alike showing up at Clarens, situated just on the northwest end of Clarens
Being a tourist destination of natural embodiment, this natural rock structure is well-known for its rocky backdrop, which has beauty written all over it, making it the ideal location for visitors and tourists to come and flash their camera lenses for selfies.
What other things happen here?
Taking selfies aside, visitors and tourists are also welcome to come check out the rock ship-like bow design, which coincidentally was also founded the same year as the infamous RMS Titanic sank.
Address: Clarens, South Africa
14. Taste German food at Roter Hahn
The Roter Hahn is yet another fine spot in Clarens serving the purpose of being a restaurant house taking care of the affairs of dishing the very best of German food and genuine Bavarian cold brews in Clarens for guests looking to please their appetite and enjoy something nice with German-flavored meals and drinks.
Made popular and famous for its German-inspired meal menu and being a favorite destination among its residents, this is an ideal location to come sort out your appetizing desire in the most enjoyable of manners with German food.
What do they offer?
The Roter Hahn restaurant house offers the very best of German meals and delicacies, served alongside some of the greatest Belgian beer as well as homemade, delightful German brews.
Address: C/O Roos Street, Van Zyl St, &, Clarens, 9707, South Africa.
15. Explore Nature and beauty at Rebellie Game Farm
The Rebellie Game Farm, which is more planted in the heart of the gorgeous Maluti Mountains, is an ideal location for you to show up and turn up at, should you be in search of escaping the hustle and bustle of city life and hanging out in a calm and serene environment.
Blessed with an amazing view of its mountainous landscape alongside a variety of species in the vicinity, making it a sanctuary for four-wheel-drive enthusiasts in the process, there is no better place in the area to come breath in the cleanest of air and appreciate the beauty of nature than the Rebellie game farm.
Why should I visit?
This environment is one with a perfect setting for guests to come to relax and regain their vitality, with provisions also being made for lodging with the highest levels of comfort, luxury, style, and service.
Address: Clarens T547, South Africa
16. Behold Modern African Art at Blou Donki Gallery
The Blue Donki Art Gallery is another tourist attraction open to members of the public at large to come explore and check out some of its items of art being put on exhibits on the shelves of its walls, especially as it concerns contemporary African art.
Popular for its extremely contemporary, stylish, and fashionable atmosphere, which houses most of the best works of the crafts of some of its renowned and up-and-coming artists in the area, to be precise, and South Africa at large, there is more than enough reason why you should pay a visit to this destination.
What should I expect?
Guests showing up here get to check out the fine collections of paintings, sculptures, pottery, photos, and even utilitarian art on display inside the art gallery, though there is also the option of grabbing a cup of coffee in hand while doing so.
Address: Windmill Centre, Main Street, Clarens, 9707, South Africa.
17. Settle for Breakfast at Artist’s Cafe
What better way to kick off your day than to book a reservation to enjoy breakfast at the Artist’s Cafe, a popular family-friendly restaurant situated on the outskirts of Clarens, known for its ever-tasteful meal menu designed to enjoy a delectable breakfast with family and friends in the coziest of atmospheres?
Talking about its most cozy atmosphere, it is accompanied by a lovely and unusual view of the mountains in front of you while being positioned outside.
What should I expect?
Guests coming over here get to enjoy an improved meal experience with the wonderful assortment of country cuisine, with on the flip side provisions being made for a kid’s menu as well as a playground with playing toys in a farm setting.
Address: Windmill Centre, Cnr Main &, Van Zyl St, Clarens, 9707, South Africa.
18. Grab a cup of coffee at Highland Coffee Roastery
Enjoying a cup of coffee at the Highland Coffee Roastery during one of the sunny days is also another fun thing to do in Clarens, just by merely taking a walk into the Highland Coffee Roastery, which is just a stone’s throw away from Clarens’ central plaza, to settle for a cup of coffee.
This experience is best enjoyed after you have been done with a long day of exploring the regional areas of Clarens as a whole since it also allows you to catch some rest, refill your energy, and hold a little chit-chat with family and friends.
What should I expect?
Guests showing up here get to enjoy coffee at its very best, extracted from domestically and globally obtained coffee beans, and consumed in the most relaxing of environments.
Address: 354 Van Zyl St., Clarens, 9707, South Africa.
19. Enjoy Painting at Addy & Hoyle Art Gallery
Looking for a more relaxing activity to spend your leisure and break hours on, well look no further than the Addy and Hoyle Art Gallery, which is been handled and left under the care of two of South Africa’s most well-known painters, Simon Addy and Lynne Hoyle.
Holding the bragging rights of being one of the top art scenes in South Africa, showing up here is to come to enjoy sightseeing and take time to explore the exquisite artwork created by these two notable artists.
What does happens here?
Aside from coming over to this tourist destination to check out some of its artworks, there is also the option made available to guests, as it concerns purchasing any of these artworks that might be of interest to them.
Address: 277 Main St, Clarens, 9707, South Africa
20. Enjoy the Delicious Dishes of Highlander Restaurant
Since there is no possibility of you traveling down to Clarens with your kitchen utensils and best of recipes in hand and you are worried about what the quality of meals in the area would be, well, worry no more as the Highlander Restaurant House is there to give you an escape route away from thoughts such as that.
Blessed with a warm and friendly atmosphere with plenty to eat and drink as well, it also serves as the perfect spot to come hang out with family and friends, have fun with one another, and enjoy a wonderful weekend gateway.
What do they offer?
The Highlander Restaurant has on its menu mouthwatering wood-fired pizzas, burgers, curries, pies, salads, soups, wraps, sandwiches, pancakes, desserts, and wines.
Address: 289 Market St., Clarens, 9707, South Africa.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the city is an ideal location for enthusiastic tourists, offering a great selection of top-notch tourist destinations you might want to prioritize visiting, as well as tons of superb accommodation and fantastic lodging options.
