7 underrated towns to escape to when you’re done with SA city life

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Big cities are great – until they’re not. When the constant motion, traffic, and stress of urban life hit a breaking point, the best antidote is space. Not just physical space, but mental room to breathe. South Africa’s lesser-known small towns offer just that, without the crowds or clichés. Here are seven underrated towns that offer peace, personality, and a proper escape…

1. Rosendal, Free State, South Africa

A quiet artist’s outpost in the highlands

Rosendal is what happens when a forgotten farm town becomes an artist’s sanctuary. It’s small – really small – but packed with character. Think sandstone houses, wide open skies, and a community of creatives who’ve traded deadlines for paintbrushes and potters’ wheels. There’s not much to “do,” in this underrated town and that’s exactly the appeal.

Rosendal, Free State. Image: canva

2. Haenertsburg, Limpopo

Misty mountains and forest trails

High up in South Africa’s Magoebaskloof mountains, Haenertsburg is a village surrounded by dense forests, mountain air, and trails that seem to go on forever. It’s a haven for hikers, bikers, and anyone who wants to get lost in nature. Expect crackling fireplaces in winter, colourful gardens in summer, and a strong sense of stillness all year round.

Take a look here: #haenertsburg

3. Bathurst, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Eccentric history, rolling hills, and the world’s biggest pineapple

Bathurst feels like a time capsule wrapped in a local pub. Founded in 1820, this underrated town is steeped in history but full of offbeat charm – home to artists, farmers, and misfits who never quite clicked with city life. It’s also got a massive, kitschy pineapple-shaped building that’s somehow perfect. You’ll find laughter, character, and no rush at all.

The big pineapple in Bathurst. Image: wikimedia commons

4. Matjiesfontein, Western Cape

One street. Infinite character.

South Africa’s Matjiesfontein is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town – but stop, and you’ll feel like you stepped into another era. Its preserved Victorian buildings and old-world charm make it feel like a living museum. The Lord Milner Hotel anchors the scene, offering whisky, ghost stories, and Karoo sunsets that go on forever.

Take a look here: #matjiesfontein

5. Williston, Northern Cape

Karoo space and stories

Deep in the Upper Karoo, Williston offers stark beauty and silence you can feel in your bones. It’s a town of fossil-rich soil, ancient history, and locals who know how to spin a story. The drive here is half the adventure, unfolding into a desert that looks empty – until you realise it’s full of life.

6. Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape

Where wildflowers outnumber people

In spring, Nieuwoudtville explodes into colour as millions of wildflowers bloom across its landscape. But even outside flower season, this tiny, underrated town is a sanctuary for solitude seekers. Set in the Hantam Karoo, it offers raw beauty, star-strewn skies, and a kind of quiet you can’t buy in the city.

Take a look here: #Nieuwoudtville

7. Kaapschehoop, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Fog, forests, and wild horses

This mountaintop village is wrapped in mist and mystery. Wild horses roam its hills. Cobbled streets and historic homes give it an almost European feel. South Africa’s Kaapschehoop (also called Kaapsehoop) doesn’t shout – it’s more of a whisper. The kind that tells you to slow down, stay longer, and breathe deeper.

Take a look here: #Kaapschehoop