Rosendal
Cool and quirky
Our new favourite village! Rosendal is a tiny place in the eastern Free State an hour’s drive from Clarens. The only tar road is the main one and it is a beautiful, well kept secret of a destination.
We visited in winter when all the trees were bare and the ground dry (and still loved it!), but from Spring onwards when the blossoms and leaves start sprouting the place will transform itself into a green wonderland.
The village is surrounded by the Witteberge and has a dam on the outskirts which is home to abundant bird life. Be warned though, the few tourist attractions (with one exception) are only open Thursday to Sunday. There is a small shop to buy basic needs the rest of the week but otherwise you are on your own!
The architecture for such a small place is really interesting, with unique shapes, container housing and eco builds all being explored, but in a very attractive way. These buildings blend in with the village rather than stand out and the town is getting a reputation for becoming South Africa’s ‘tiny home’ capital.
The village is charming and lovely to walk around; there are hikes and horse-riding nearby and plenty of time for just relaxing and stoep sitting. The locals we encountered were extremely friendly and happy to chat about the village and what makes it tick!
Hedonist Hippy recommends
Since visiting a few years back now, the town has been growing slowly and there appears to be more places to eat and visit than before.
There are a number of creatives who have been drawn to this eclectic village adding to the vibrancy and artistry of the place.
Due to Covid-19 the places we recommended are not operating anymore, but there is a very good tourism website that will cater for your needs.
It’s our secret
Rosendal is a very special place, but not for city lovers wanting bright lights and crowds. City dwellers wanting relaxation, calm and quirky, then this is for you. But ssshhh – don’t tell anyone that you’ve discovered it!
Visit the website for more info.
Where to find it
