Image by Hougaard Malan Photography / Getty Images

Pretoria

South Africa’s administrative centre is a handsome city with some gracious old architecture, significant historical sites, prosperous leafy suburbs, and wide streets lined with jacarandas that burst into a beautiful purple haze in October and November. It’s always been more more conservative than Jo’burg – this was the centre of the apartheid regime and its very name a symbol of oppression. However, as the inner city undergoes something of a renaissance, and Pretoria becomes more cosmopolitan, there's a sense that the city is beginning to look to the future.

Explore Pretoria

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Pretoria.

  • Memorial

    Freedom Park

    This stunning park and museum honours fallen South Africans in all major conflicts and adopts an integrated approach to African history. It is a place of…

  • Monument

    Voortrekker Monument

    The imposing, art-deco-style Voortrekker Monument was constructed between 1938 and 1949 to honour the journey of the Voortrekkers, who journeyed north…

  • Nature Reserve

    Rietvlei Nature Reserve

    This 38-sq-km reserve, 27km south of Pretoria, off Rte 21, is popular with locals who come for fishing in the dam, but is also great for wildlife viewing…

  • Square

    Church Square

    A statue of Old Lion (Paul Kruger) takes pride of place in the centre of Church Square, which is surrounded by some impressive public buildings. The…

  • Museum

    Sammy Marks’ Museum

    This handsome mansion, 20km east of central Pretoria, was built in 1884 for the industrial, mining and agricultural magnate Sammy Marks. Now it’s a…

  • Notable Building

    Union Buildings

    Designed by Sir Herbert Baker, these sweeping sandstone buildings are the headquarters of government and home to the presidential offices. They're not…

  • Notable Building

    012central

    The rebirth of downtown Pretoria has been given a kickstart by the redevelopment of this set of buildings into an events, arts and social hub. Check out…

  • Gardens

    Pretoria National Botanical Garden

    Located around 9km east of central Pretoria, these gardens cover 7700 sq m and are planted with indigenous flora from around the country. There are 20,000…

  • Fort

    Fort Klapperkop

    There are panoramic views from the 1889 fort that was one of four built to defend Pretoria, although in the end it was never used for that purpose…

  • Historic Building

    Melrose House

    On 31 May 1902, the Treaty of Vereeniging, which ended the Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902), was signed in the dining room of this stately mansion. Highlights…

  • Gallery

    Pretoria Art Museum

    Specialising in South African art from most of the country’s history, this good gallery contains works by all the big local hitters, from Jacob Hendrik…

  • Zoo

    Pretoria National Zoological Gardens

    There’s a reptile park and an aquarium here, as well as a vast collection of exotic trees and plenty of picnic spots. The highlight, though, is the cable…

  • Museum

    National Cultural History Museum

    Concentrating on the cultural history of South Africa, this museum features exhibitions on San rock art, Iron Age figurines from Limpopo and a small…

  • Museum

    Smuts House Museum

    JC Smuts' home for over 40 years has been turned into an interesting museum. With a wide veranda and shady trees, it has a family atmosphere and gives a…

  • Museum

    Kruger Museum

    The former residence of Paul Kruger, president of the South African Republic from 1883 to 1900, has been preserved as a museum. Built in 1884 and guarded…

  • Historic Building

    Palace of Justice

    HQ of the Gauteng division of South Africa's High Court, this 1897 building is where the Rivonia Trial, that sentenced Nelson Mandela to life imprisonment…

  • Historic Building

    Ou Raadsaal

    The old Parliament Building of the Transvaal Republic Government, dating from 1890, sits on the south side of the square.

  • Historic Building

    Old Capitol Theatre

    This decommissioned theatre, originally opened in 1931, is all but obscured by a hideous concrete parking garage.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Pretoria.