StaysInSouthAfrica
Browse stays
Bethlehem · South Africa

Stays in Bethlehem

Bethlehem is a farming town in the eastern Free State, set among sandstone hills and the foothills of the Maluti Mountains. It is a practical base for Golden Gate Highlands National Park and the arts village of Clarens.

Updated October 9, 2026

Bethlehem lies in the eastern Free State about 240 km south of Johannesburg, roughly three hours by road, and it sits outside South Africa's malaria zones. The town is a busy agricultural centre for the surrounding maize and wheat farms, framed by golden sandstone ridges that lead towards the Maluti Mountains on the Lesotho border. Clarens, with its galleries, cafés and mountain views, is about 35 km away, and Golden Gate Highlands National Park, known for its sandstone cliffs and hiking trails, lies just beyond. Loch Athlone and the Gerrands Dam offer short walks and water views close to town. Accommodation is practical, with a casino hotel and guesthouses suited to stopovers on the N5.

Bethlehem in numbers

1
stays
7.2/10
average guest rating
32
traveller reviews
Filter by stay type
All stay types1Golf resortHoneymoon & romantic
Peermont Metcourt at Frontier, Bethlehem7.2Family-friendly

Peermont Metcourt at Frontier, Bethlehem

Comfortable rooms, a casino, and dining options in Bethlehem

Why guests love it

Peermont Metcourt at Frontier in Bethlehem is a 3-star hotel with air-conditioned rooms and private bathrooms. A garden and a terrace give some outdoor space, and there is a restaurant and a bar. The casino on site makes it livelier than a quiet guesthouse, so it suits adults and older children more than young ones. Concierge service and free private parking are included, and cycling is listed nearby. Guests score it 7.2 across 32 reviews.

Bethlehem
Family-friendly

What to expect

  • Golden Gate Highlands National Park within an hour
  • Arts village of Clarens about 35 km away
  • Sandstone landscapes and Maluti Mountain views
  • About three hours by road from Johannesburg
  • Practical stop on the N5 towards Harrismith and Durban

Local tips

  • Pack warm clothes in winter, when frost and occasional snow reach the eastern Free State.
  • Plan an early start for hikes in Golden Gate before afternoon storms in summer.
  • Stay in Bethlehem if Clarens is fully booked on weekends.
  • Book ahead for school holidays, when the area fills with families.
  • Fill up with fuel in town before mountain drives towards Golden Gate.
  • Use Bethlehem as a break on the drive between Johannesburg and the Drakensberg.

Frequently asked questions

Most visitors stay in town, where hotels and guesthouses are close to restaurants, shops and the N5. The town works well as a base for Clarens and Golden Gate, especially on busy weekends when Clarens accommodation is fully booked or priced higher.

We earn a commission when you book through some links on this site, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which hotels we list or how we rank them.