President Brand Street
President Brand Street has been declared a national conservation
area, and is home to a number of monuments and buildings of
historical value. Nobody visiting Bloemfontein should pass up the
opportunity to stroll down one of the city's most stately and
historically important streets, encountering striking examples of
19th and 20th-century buildings along the way. The South African
Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of South Africa are located
on this street, as is the National Afrikaans Literature Museum.
Travellers can view the original transcript of South Africa's
former national anthem, Die Stem, at the Literature Museum.
Travellers will find the equally interesting National Music Museum
on President Brand Street too. Bloemfontein's City Hall is another
of the street's important addresses. Completed in 1936, its
cornerstone was laid by Prince George, Duke of Kent. The Old
Presidency was built in 1861, on the spot that was once the British
Major Henry Warden's farmhouse. The sandstone buildings give the
area a distinct character and aesthetic, creating some great
photographic opportunities.
Address:
President Brand Street, Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein City Hall
Mangaung Local Municipality
Oliewenhuis Art Gallery
From its distinguished setting in a Cape Dutch mansion, the
Oliewenhuis Art Gallery is a must-see Bloemfontein attraction that
features an expansive display of South African art. Designed in
1935 and completed in 1941, the Neo-Dutch mansion was built as the
residence of the Governor General of the Union of South Africa, and
once hosted King George VI and his family on their visit to
Bloemfontein. The residence was opened as the city's art museum in
1989, after long-term petitioning by Bloemfontein's artistic
community. Contemporary paintings and sculptures are exhibited
here, as well as acclaimed masterpieces from days gone by. One of
the most exciting and unique aspects of the museum is the
remarkable exhibition space in the old underground reservoir. The
gallery also has a café and outdoor sculpture park for visitors to
enjoy. Kids will love the colourful Africa Carousel. It was created
by multiple artists crafting each individual creature to integrate
European and African mythology. Located on Grant's Hill and
surrounded by miles of unspoilt nature, visitors can also enjoy
exploring the walking trails that wind around the museum.
Address:
16 Harrismith Street, Bloemfontein
Oliewenhuis Art Gallery
Mangaung Local Municipality
King's Park
Opened by the Prince of Wales in 1925, King's Park boasts over
4,000 beautiful rose bushes. In fact, Bloemfontein literally means
'flower fountain' and is often referred to locally as the 'city of
roses'. It is the city's largest and loveliest green space and a
nice spot to unwind and escape from the hustle and bustle of the
city. A colourful and fragrant park set on a lake and with grassy
areas where children can expend some energy, the park is a good
attraction for those travelling with kids. King's Park is also home
to the Bloemfontein Zoo, established in 1906. There is a popular
arts and crafts market at King's Park on the first Saturday of each
month, where food stalls compete with paintings and sculptures as
well as other crafts like jewellery and some wonderful bargains can
be found. The market is open from about 7am to 1pm. Those looking
for other outdoor areas in Bloemfontein should head to Naval Hill,
which provides striking views over the city and borders the
Franklin Game Reserve.
King's Park
Bloemfontein Tourism
Bloemfontein straddles the meeting point of the Highveld and the
semi-arid Karoo region and the city experiences a semi-arid
climate, with hot summers and cold, dry winters. The city gets
plenty of sunshine, but by South African standards, it experiences
extreme temperatures in mid-summer and mid-winter.
The average temperatures in summer, between December and
February, range between 59°F (15°C) and 88°F (31°C), and in the
winter, between June and August, average temperatures range between
28°F (-2°C) and 63°F (17°C).
The city tends to be dry and dusty in winter, with most of the
rainfall coming in the summer months. This rainfall normally
arrives in the form of dramatic and short-lived afternoon
thunderstorms, often serving as a relief from the heat. In winter,
snow is rare, but frost is very common.
The best time to visit Bloemfontein is in the shoulder seasons
of spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) when
the weather is less extreme, but summers can be pleasant despite
the heat, particularly as the frequent thunderstorms are rather
refreshing. Bloemfontein tends to empty out over the festive
season, when many South Africans migrate to the coast for
holidays.
Bram Fischer International Airport
Location: The airport is located 8 miles (13km) from the city
centre.
Time: GMT +2
Getting to the city:
Public transport servicing the airport is limited. Minibus taxis
are available but are unreliable and often overcrowded. The best
way to get to the city is by hired car or taxi.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies at the airport include Avis, Hertz,
Europcar, National, National Alamo, and Tempest.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis and shuttles, which should be booked in advance, are
available just outside the terminal building. One should consider
private services such as Uber.
Facilities:
The airport has a mobile phone rental shop, ATM, restaurants,
and an information desk.
Parking
Covered parking is available, starting at ZAR 22 per hour, while
open parking begins at ZAR 16 per hour.
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The best way of getting around Bloemfontein is by car. Visitors
can hire a car at the airport where Avis, Europcar, and Hertz are
represented. To hire a car in South Africa, foreigners are required
to have a valid international driving licence and at least one year
of driving experience. Road conditions and signage in Bloemfontein
are generally of a good standard and most people have no trouble
getting around in the Free State. Those wanting to travel outside
Bloemfontein to more rural parts of the Free State should consider
hiring a 4x4. Visitors can also use a metered taxi to get around in
Bloemfontein. While metered taxis are available 24 hours a day,
travellers are advised to pre-book a vehicle in advance.
Bloemfontein sometimes seems to be on the way to everywhere in
South Africa and its central location and position on main highways
makes it a popular, and often necessary, stop for road trippers.
Tourists seldom choose to stay in the city for long, but this is
more a testament to the other fantastic things to see and do
nearby, than a negative judgement on Bloemfontein itself. Although
it may pale in comparison to cities like Cape Town, Bloemfontein is
certainly not without charm and the youthful and proud population
are good at making their own fun.
Travellers who pass through the city should look out for the
lovely gardens, particularly the roses for which the place is
named, and the stately old architecture of this judicial hub.
President Brand Street is the best road to stroll down to
appreciate the rich history of Bloemfontein, and King's Park is a
pleasant place to have a picnic and get some exercise.
The top attraction is the Oliewenhuis Art Gallery, which houses
some great South African art in interesting exhibition spaces,
including an old underground reservoir which has been converted
into a gallery. The National Museum and the Anglo Boer War Museum
are also rewarding stops. Bloemfontein takes its rugby very
seriously and has an exciting local team, the Cheetahs. Sports fans
should take in a game at the stadium if possible.
Bloemfontein City Hall
Mangaung Local Municipality
Oliewenhuis Art Gallery
Mangaung Local Municipality
King's Park
Bloemfontein Tourism
