Parys

Accommodation | Activities | Restaurants | Business Directory

Geography and history

Parys is a small town located in the Northern Free State region of the Free State Province in South Africa. The name of this town is the Afrikaans version of “Paris”. It is believed that a German land surveyor who participated in the Siege of Paris had given the town this name because the Vaal River reminded him of Paris on the River Seine. The town was laid out in 1876. The Gold Island, Woody Island and Groot Island are three islands in the Vaal River that are important tourist attractions. Parys, has retained the “magical charm” of small town atmosphere with all the amenities and luxuries of a modern city.

Accommodation

Parys offers a wide variety of places to stay over for the night. These facilities include – bed and breakfasts, guest houses, hotels, self-catering and camping sites. See our accommodation directory for more information on places to stay in the region.

Activities and attractions

Parys will certainly entertain the whole family with all its outdoor activities. The three islands offer various things to do to excite every tourist. The Golf Island is a very popular attraction because it was built in 1919 across a suspension bridge. This unique 9-hole golf course is a definite must-see.

Other things to do in Parys include the following:

Abseiling and Rock Climbing
Angling and Hiking
Hot air ballooning and 4x4 Trials
Parys Monument
Parys on the Vaal (Shops and art work)
River rafting

Businesses

There are loads of businesses in the area to cater for all your needs. Tourists can enjoy the shops, stalls, products and restaurants that Parys has to offer. Please go to our business directory for a full list of businesses in the area.