Clarens Snapshot
When the Titanic went down in 1912, such was the momentous nature of the tragedy it was even big news on the newly-laid out streets of Clarens. As timing would have it, the prominent rock feature towering over the town had yet to find a name... And so it was that Titanic Rock came to pass.
Unlike the ill-fated Titanic, Clarens has had a more fortunate journey. Today, it's a thriving tourist destination - the Free State's Greyton, if you like, with an attractive collection of sandstone buildings, art galleries, inviting eateries, coffee shops and delicatessens. Clarens has so far managed to retain its arty village vibe, thanks largely to its postcard setting.
With a vast spread of decent accommodation and enough to keep you occupied around the main square and gorgeous Rooiberge, we can see why Clarens is a popular escape for Gautengers and others fleeing the urban treadmill.
Things To Do
- Trundle around Clarens’ collection of art galleries dotted around the main square. There's a big spread of work, including watercolour, ceramics, sculptures, photography, and functional artworks.
- Toss a coin to decide where to eat next. There's a lot of choice lining the two main arteries, including the popular Clarens Brewery.
- Hike or bike the area's easy-going and more challenging walking and MTB routes, mostly in the surrounding Rooiberge. A walk up to the Maluti Viewpoint from town makes for a great sundowner trip.
- Up the adrenalin with an abseiling, climbing, white water rafting or quad bike adventure. There are several outfits in town offering their services.
- Satisfy the consumer in you. The town square is a good bet for an hour or two of guilt-free retail therapy.
- Follow an old wagon trail on horseback on the picturesque Schaaplats Farm, while viewing a variety of wildlife (zebra, blesbok, wildebeest, etc) from the comfort of your saddle.
Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Porterville • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Uniondale • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wellington • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland