Vredenburg, South Africa

Capital City

Living in Vredenburg is a practical affair. The town of 38,382 people serves as a transportation and commercial hub for the West Coast region, but bureaucracy is a persistent headache. Vredenburg was initially established in 1875 as a Dutch Reformed Church congregation, with its original name of "Twisfontein" referring to a disputed freshwater spring. While the town has since achieved a sense of peace, the location 12 kilometers inland from the coast may not appeal to everyone. Overall, Vredenburg is a functional, no-frills town best suited for those seeking a straightforward West Coast existence.