The fact that we could park our car and walk where we wanted to be was great. The antique shops and "Lekker Bistro" made our trip so much more worth it. The fish shop in town is amazing.

Superb. 5 out of 5

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More info about Parys

Parys is a small town with a surprising amount of things to do. Located in the Free State Province, Parys is a popular destination for the romantic, the artistic, the weary and the lover of nature. It’s also in the centre of the world’s largest crater, so large you won’t even know it!

A gigantic meteor hit the earth roughly 2000 million years ago, resulting in a massive crater known as the Vredefort Dome. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with interesting rock formations and terrain and regarded as somewhat of an outdoor paradise for hikers and climbers. Parys was laid out in 1876 and is the Afrikaans word for Paris, named by a surveyor who saw a likeness in the town’s location along the Vaal River to that of Paris on the river Seine.

There are a number of spectacular wedding venues surrounding Parys, and the outdoor adventure activities on offer attract companies seeking team... Show more

There are a number of spectacular wedding venues surrounding Parys, and the outdoor adventure activities on offer attract companies seeking team building ideas.

The town streets are lined with antique shops, restaurants, art galleries and quaint knick-knack stores.

Top 8 reasons to visit Parys

1. Attend a geological tour of the Vredefort Dome to appreciate the vastness of the crater and to see the results of the meteor impact. Several sites are visited and lunch baskets are available for purchase.

2. Visit Berakah Eco Trails to take up the challenging 23km mountain bike route that passes through magical scenery, along river courses, up steep inclines and over log bridges.

3. River rafting is popular on the Vaal River that meanders along the town outskirts. With names like Big Daddy and Whiplash, the rapids can put fear into visitors, however, guides will ensure they are breached safely.

4. If you consider yourself an aesthete, Parys has an interesting Art Route that takes in galleries, a metalwork factory and potters. The route is open on the first weekend of every month.

5. Mampoer tastings are offered at Hanzet Distillers. Mampoer is a fruit brandy pot-stilled until the alcohol content is highly concentrated. Mampoer is also called white lightning.

6. The Parys Golf and Country Estate has a magnificent 18-hole golf course, with fine views of the Vaal River. Visitors are welcome on this course which is ranked top in the province.

7. Head out early to the Dell Cheetah Centre to catch the personalised morning tour of the facility, renowned for its dedication to cheetah conservation. Volunteers from all over the world arrive to help manage the centre.

8. When the sun goes down, join the locals at Plaasjol to party the night away. The venue hosts regular live acts and the onsite restaurant serves traditional Afrikaans dishes such as offal, pork cracklings with pap (a type of polenta) and bobotie.

Transport

Parys is 135km – via a toll road – from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Chartered flights are available from the Vereeniging Airport, 75km out of town. Several car hire companies are based in Johannesburg, Vanderbijlpark and OR Tambo airport or you could order a rental online. Tour operators and shuttle service companies offer transport services between Johannesburg, the airport and Parys.

Did you know?

In the Parys cemetery lies the grave of a young 20-year old Canadian woman who arrived to teach children in the refugee camps but contracted typhoid and died in 1903, less than a year after her arrival. Sadly, her family were too far away to be at her bedside and attend her funeral.

Situated in a massive crater, Parys has its own microclimate with hot dry summers and brisk to chilly winter days.

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Parys Accommodation

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54 listings for accommodation in Parys. Enter dates to see full pricing and availability:

397 and 398 Vaal de Grace Golf Estate

Holiday Homes, Self Catering, Golf Lodges, Villas in Parys

R3,800

Klein Paradys Parys

Camps, Self Catering, Caravan Parks, Bungalows, Glamping in Parys

R790

Otters Haunt - Otters Den House

Holiday Homes, Self Catering, Pets By Arrangement in Parys

R2,100

Otters Haunt Full Moon Bush Camp

Self Catering, Bungalows, Pets By Arrangement in Parys

R1,800

Otters Haunt - Cormorant Cabin

Cottages, Chalets, Self Catering in Parys

R1,500

Casa Cara Resort

Guest Houses, Self Catering in Parys

R750

River Cottages

Cottages, Holiday Homes, Self Catering, Resorts in Parys

R480

Fly Fishing Paradise on the Vaalriver

Guest Farms, Self Catering in Parys

R550

Mirabel Guesthouse

Bed And Breakfast, Guest Houses in Parys

R700

À la Maison Parys

Bed And Breakfast, Guest Houses in Parys

R1,100

River Rock Lodge

Cottages, Chalets, Self Catering in Parys

R1,250

Mistique Waters

Apartments, Guest Houses, Self Catering in Parys

R695

KayanZee Lodge

Guest Houses, Guest Lodge in Parys

R5,000

Devondale Guest House & Venue

Bed And Breakfast, Guest Houses in Parys

R850

Vaal De Sioleh

Chalets, Self Catering in Parys

R700

Pluvio

Bed And Breakfast, Guest Houses in Parys

R800

Le Franz Guest House

Guest Houses, Self Catering in Parys

R750

Otters Haunt - Guinefowl Cottage

Cottages, Self Catering in Parys

R1,100

A Mountain View Country Estate

Guest Houses, Guest Farms, Self Catering in Parys

R648

Hidden Grace Guesthouse

Bed And Breakfast, Guest Houses in Parys

R1,000

Klein Parys

Guest Houses, Guest Lodge in Parys

R680

Rose Acres Guest House

Guest Houses in Parys

R750

Otters Haunt Eco Retreat - Porcupine Room

Cottages, Self Catering in Parys

R1,100

Boom69 Guesthouse - Solar Inverter Power

Guest Houses, Self Catering in Parys

R850

Gentle Breeze Retreat