24 Hours in Bloemfontein, Free State

Bloemfontein is one of South Africa’s largest cities and the halfway point between Cape Town and Johannesburg along the N1 highway, but many visitors appear to stop for only a few hours, as we did.

We drove to Bloemfontein after spending the weekend in Philippolis. To be honest, we had no idea what to do because, despite extensive research, nothing came up and we were running out of time. We did, however, get a few things done before leaving the next day.

We needed to eat before heading to our hotel, so we stopped at Windmill Casino, which is located just off the N1 Highway and sat at Ocean Basket. The Casino has a few restaurants, but there isn’t much going on there. It appears to be run-down, but if you want to have a good time, you can play the slot machines.

Our accommodation was at Cottages @ Moffett which has a bunch of rooms converted into establishments. Because we were the only guests, the owner Francois decided to upgrade us to a stunning open-plan space. The kitchen is fully equipped and has a beautiful concrete slab.

Because it was so comfortable, the daybed in the centre of the room became our permanent home for the duration of our stay. The luxurious bathroom with a wonderful pressure shower is just what you need after a long journey, and the queen size bed is just what you need after a long journey.

We stayed in our room almost the entire night to rest our tired bodies. The next morning, we gathered our belongings, said our goodbyes, and set off to see Naval Hill. It is located in the city centre and was named after the British naval guns that were stationed on the mountain during the Anglo-Boer War.

From the top of the Hill, you have an incredible panoramic view of Bloemfontein. There is also a massive Nelson Mandela statue at the top, as well as a planetarium in another section. Unfortunately, the planetarium was closed, but if you are in the area, it’s definitely worth checking out what shows are on.

Our stomachs began to growl, so we looked for a nearby breakfast. On Reid Street, we discovered a quirky restaurant called Koekela Huiskafee. It’s bright and mismatched, but it feels like a warm hug from home. Clothing, accessories, and other products are also available for purchase. Breakfast and lunch items are available on the menu.

After our first meal of the day, it was time to take the N1 Highway to another small town on my bucket list for years. It should be noted that there is a lot more to do in Bloemfontein. Unfortunately, our time was up.

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Till the next small town.