The capital, Maseru (pop. 140,000), has grown considerably over the past decade, although there are few attractions in the city itself, apart from its laid-back pace and appealingly quirky ambience.
However, it makes a good base for exploring the surrounding countryside. One possibility is a day trip to
Thaba Bosiu, the former hilltop fortress of King Moshoeshoe I which defied invaders—including the British, the Boers and the Zulus—for almost 50 years. The king is buried there, and you can arrange a guide to take you to the top of the hill. Another possible excursion is the city of
Teyateyaneng, where you can purchase handwoven tapestries from crafts shops and watch the weavers as they work. About 6 mi/10 km southeast of Maseru, the stone shelter of
Ha Baroana (its name means Home of the Little Bushmen) has ancient rock paintings of the animals that inhabited the region more than 1,000 years ago.