Low-key love: explore South Africa’s underrated towns for a romantic Valentine’s retreat

Prince Albert in the Western Cape offers wide skies, old architecture and a deep sense of stillness. Not everyValentine’s Dayneeds rose petals, packed restaurants or inflated hotel prices. Sometimes the most meaningful way to mark the day is by stepping away from noise and choosing a place that allows space for conversation, rest and presence.

South Africa is filled with small towns that offer exactly that. They may not dominate travel lists, but they deliver something rarer: calm. Clarens in the Free State remains one of those towns that feels personal, no matter how many times you visit.

Tucked beneath the Maluti Mountains, it moves at a pace that encourages long walks and slow mornings. Couples can spend hours drifting between art galleries, stopping for coffee or sitting quietly with views of Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Evenings are simple. Dinner, a fire, and a sense that nothing needs to be rushed.