The jewel of the Free State with more art galleries than schools

The small town of Clarens is one of South Africa’s cultural hotspots, boasting more independent art galleries than schools.

The town is in the eastern part of the Free State, close to the Maluti mountain range and the South Africa/Lesotho border. It is a three-hour drive from Johannesburg.

Clarens is known for its historic buildings, which are often made from carved sandstone, sourced from quarries surrounding the town.

It was named after a city in Switzerland, where Paul Kruger, the former president of South Africa, fled during the Anglo-Boer War.

This led people in the area to name the town after the region in Switzerland, in honour of Kruger’s impact.

Today, the town has a population of roughly 6,500 and relies on tourism as its main economic sector.

The area is also famed for its significant archaeological sites, with fossils found near the city dating back over 200 million years.

These include bones, teeth, and claws from animals such as the Massospondylus, a massive, long-necked dinosaur.

Some of the oldest fossilised dinosaur eggs in the world have also been found in areas surrounding Clarens.

The town has one of the highest elevations of any populated area in the country, at 1,940 metres above sea level.

This means it is one of the only towns in South Africa to regularly experience snowfall in winter.

The area is beloved by nature enthusiasts and hikers for its isolation from urban areas and proximity to the Maluti mountain range.

It boasts several hiking trails and rock-climbing spots on the sandstone cliff faces in the nearby mountains.

South Africa’s artistic capital

The town is considered South Africa’s art capital for its many galleries and its nearby San Rock art.

Clarens has over 20 permanent art exhibitions, giving it the highest number of galleries per capita of any city in the country.

There are roughly 3 galleries for every 1,000 residents in the town, and they outnumber the area’s schools.

There are an estimated 13 schools in Clarens and its surrounding communities, demonstrating the area’s prolific art scene.

One of its best-known exhibitions is the Addy Hoyle Gallery, founded by two local artists, Lyn Hoyle and Simon Addy.

This gallery often showcases paintings and sculptures by South Africa’s best-known artists, as well as up-and-coming talent.

Recently, the town started one of the largest artistic events in South Africa, the Clarens Arts Festival.

The event is held over four days and was attended by 5,000 people in 2026, up from approximately 2,400 in 2023.

The event gives the area a significant economic boost and supports local artists and smaller businesses, such as restaurants and hotels.

The town relies on tourism for its local economy, with its agricultural sector also feeding into the area’s artisanal restaurants.

This tourism comes from South African citizens visiting on weekends and during school holidays, due to its relatively close proximity to large cities such as Johannesburg and Bloemfontein.

This makes the city more affordable and convenient for many people than coastal tourism hotspots such as Cape Town or Durban.

The town’s thriving art scene comes not only from its numerous galleries but also from its several San Rock art sites.

These sites are mostly found in the nearby Golden Gate Highlands National Park, and are closely protected for their cultural significance.

The Rock Art can be viewed by hiking in the area, both on shorter trips and longer, multi-day excursions.

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Photos of Clarens

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Photos of the Clarens Arts Festival

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