"The Pam Golding Way."
Aptly named the jewel of the Eastern Free State, Clarens is nestled in a valley of Maluti mountains rising towards the heavens. With picturesque scenery that is quintessential of small towns, Clarens is a weekend-goer’s country getaway dream.
Clarens captures the natural beauty of the Eastern Free State in all its diverse beauty. The distinctive seasons are one of Clarens’ drawing cards, with tourists loving the natural attraction of Summer’s cosmos fields; Autumn’s patchwork of warm-toned colors like a blanket over the valley, and the quiet beauty of wheat-colored fields and blue skies in Winter.
People come to Clarens to enjoy the countryside’s beauty and stay to experience the small-town bustle of activity. The town square lies at the heart of Clarens and around it, tourism and business are active.
From pizza to traditional German food, fine dining and comforting oxtail; one is spoilt in one’s choice of restaurants. The coffee shops spread across the square ensure one is always replenished with coffee to keep one going while browsing the shops.
The Clarens calendar is filled with annual events that cater to all. With the well-renowned Beer Festival in February, Clarens sees nearly 5 000 visitors. The Beer Festival continues to grow annually with guests booking a year in advance.
Similarly, the Clarens Art Festival in May is an annual event that celebrates South African artists. From eco printing to free verse poetry and personal stories shared by the marathon runner, Bruce Fordyce, the 2025 Clarens Art Festival promises to showcase the crafts that make South Africa rich in culture. This is more than just another event in Clarens, it is a showcasing of the cultural community in and around Clarens. The festival is a culmination of the village’s businesses, individuals and artists coming together in a union that transverses multiple cultures and invites South Africans to experience the richness of this small Eastern Free State town.
In exploring all that Clarens has to offer, one begins to understand how so many feel the pull to move to Clarens and make their home beneath the Maluti mountains. It’s a peaceful town that invites one to settle your roots in the countryside and embracer a slower pace that is by no means empty.
