WELKOM

Welkom: The Garden City of the Free State Goldfields

At the heart of the Free State Goldfields, Welkom is a distinctive city shaped by its mining heritage and carefully planned layout. Known as the “Circle City” and the “City within a Garden”, it offers visitors a different feel from the province’s older towns, with landscaped parks, broad streets and plenty of open Highveld sky.

Discover the Goldfields Story

Gold mining helped shape Welkom and the surrounding region. The city is a useful base for learning more about the Goldfields and exploring nearby communities, each with its own connection to the area’s history and development.

Gardens, Parks and Local Attractions

Welkom’s parks and gardens provide pleasant places to pause and enjoy the city’s green spaces. Visitors can also explore local cultural attractions and the Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre, or plan a day around the events and facilities at Phakisa Freeway, a major motorsport venue in the Goldfields.

Explore the Surrounding Goldfields

Nearby towns such as Odendaalsrus, Virginia and Hennenman make easy additions to a regional trip. Whether you are travelling for business, visiting family or discovering the Free State, Welkom offers a convenient base from which to explore the wider Goldfields region.

Make Welkom Part of Your Journey

From its gold-mining history to its distinctive city layout and local events, Welkom offers plenty to discover. With BlyLekker, find places to stay, things to do and local experiences to make your visit memorable.