Things to do and see in Pretoria

Pretoria, nestled among the Magaliesberg Hills, is the administrative capital of South Africa and is characterised by modern streets and lush nature. In fact, Pretoria means city of the jacarandas, as these purple flowers cover everything in spring. It’s not the most touristy city, but there are still a number of interesting places to see in Pretoria, making it a regular day trip from Johannesburg.

In this post we’ll tell you all about the things to do and see in the city, as well as a few excursions in the surrounding area. Pretoria is surrounded by nature, and both inside and outside the city there are nature reserves that are home to local wildlife. We also talk about the city’s cuisine and some of the best restaurants where you can sample it. If you’re planning a trip to South Africa, you’re in the right place. Get your pen and notebook ready and we’ll tell you everything you need to know.

What to see in Pretoria?

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

1. South Africa’s National Zoological Gardens

This is a natural complex that is home to numerous species of animals living in the wild. There are lions, tigers, hippos, elephants and many more animals that can be seen from a cable car that crosses the park, or at ground level in a golf cart. Within the grounds there is also an aquarium, a reptile room and an aviary.

This is an ideal activity to do with children. In addition, you can also go on night hikes within the complex and go camping. Entry costs 120R for adults and 80R for children.

2. Pretoria National Botanical Garden

Spanning 76 hectares, this park is a haven of peace in the middle of the city. Of the city’s nine parks, this is by far the most beautiful, with species from all over the world perfectly organised by region. The grounds also house the headquarters of the South African National Biodiversity Institute, an assembly hall, a stage, a restaurant and a tea room.

It’s a really nice place to stroll around or have a picnic while enjoying and learning about plants in the midst of nature and with the sound of small waterfalls decorating the park in the background. Admission is 55R for adults and 20R for children aged 6-17.

3. The Voortrekker monument

Voortrekker is undoubtedly the most important place to see in Pretoria. The monument, built in 1949, commemorates the expeditions into unknown territory during the 19th century. It is built of granite and is 40 metres high. Interestingly, its structure is conducive to creating incredible acoustics, which is why it is very common for concerts to be held at the monument itself.

4. Freedom Park, a must-see in Pretoria

This is one of the most important parks to see in Pretoria. It opened in 2007 in commemoration of those who fought for the country’s freedom. That’s why the grounds are filled with memorials and museums that tell the story of the city’s history. It is also built on a hill from where the views are incredible. Admission is free and the park is open daily from 9:00h to 18:00h.

5. Union buildings

This complex of monumental buildings surrounded by gardens is a must-see in Pretoria. It houses the seat of government and the office of the president, and the best part is that you can visit them on guided tours between 9am and 5pm. There are several memorials and commemorative statues on the grounds, such as the one of Nelson Mandela, one of the most important in the city. If you have time, we recommend taking a guided tour, or at least strolling through the gardens and looking at the facades.

What to see around Pretoria?

1. Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve

There are several nature reserves around Pretoria that are worth seeing. Moreleta Kloof is one of the most important. The 100-hectare reserve is home to impala, ostriches, zebras and a myriad of tree-nesting birds. Within the reserve there are 1.5km of hiking trails and an interpretation centre. The reserve is open from 6am to 6pm and admission is free, although you can also book guided tours, or specific activities that cost money.

2. Johannesburg

Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city and the most famous in the world for its recent history. It is also the country’s most populous city, a hustle and bustle of people and cars coming and going. Its history dates back to the late 19th century, when gold was found and building began in the surrounding area. Some of the city’s must-see sights include Constitution Hill, Soweto (the historic centre), and the Apartheid Museum.

From Pretoria it’s less than 1 hour. By train it takes 50 minutes and costs just €15. Trains run continuously. Tourists usually stay in Johannesburg and take a day trip to Pretoria, but you can always do the opposite if you’re staying in Pretoria.

What to see in 1 day in  Pretoria?

Despite the fact that Pretoria is a fairly large city, you can easily see it in a day. In fact, it’s a common day trip from Johannesburg as communications are good and the two cities are less than an hour apart.

During your day trip to Pretoria we recommend a visit to the Union Buildings, the Voortrekker Monument and Freedom Park. Another must-see in Pretoria is the Natural Botanical Gardens and the museums within the grounds. If you’re travelling with children, the National Zoo or the city’s nature reserves are the best things to do – they’re sure to enjoy wandering among wild animals.

Where and what to eat in  Pretoria?

In Pretoria there is a strong influence from many local and international peoples that can be seen in its restaurants with cuisine from all corners of the world and, of course, African. Some of the most typical South African dishes are: Boerewors (beef sausages), Poetoepap (porridge), Bobotie (meat pie) or Melktert (a typical cake of Portuguese origin). Here are some of the restaurants where you can try these specialities:

• La Terrasse Rooftop Cafe & Deli: Don’t let the French name fool you, this is one of the best African food restaurants in town. It has a very pleasant terrace and combines African, Moroccan and Middle Eastern dishes. Prices range from €5 to €15.
• Baobab Cafe: this is a cheap restaurant with a wide variety of food, including South African. They also serve cocktails and the service is lovely.
• Kulture Restaurant And Bar: This is a slightly more sophisticated African restaurant than the previous ones. The dishes combine new techniques with flashier presentations. However, it’s not particularly expensive at around €20.

Where to stay in Pretoria?

Pretoria is a huge city with plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation. The best neighbourhood to stay in is Arcadia, as it’s the closest to the city’s main attractions, but it’s also the most expensive. Other good, more affordable options are Garsfontein or Waterkloof. Here are some of our favourite places to stay in the city:

• Backpackers International: is a nice hostel with a garden and swimming pool. It also has common areas such as a kitchen, bar and lounge. Prices range from €17 to €40 per night, and private rooms are also available.
• Sheraton Pretoria Hotel: at five stars, this is one of the city’s most elegant and luxurious hotels. The rooms are perfectly equipped and the hotel has a bar, spa and swimming pool. The price per night starts at €72.
• Brooklyn Manor: this is a beautiful guesthouse with a garden and swimming pool. It’s a really cosy place, with single and family rooms for less than €70 a night. They also offer breakfast for €9.

How to get to Pretoria?

The nearest airport to Pretoria is Johannesburg Airport, which is about 40 minutes away by public transport. You can also get there from Lanseria Airport, which is about 1 hour away. From Johannesburg airport, there are several options for getting to Pretoria:

• Train: takes 40 minutes and costs €15.
• Bus: takes 30 minutes but costs between €26 and €70.
• Taxi: costs about €55 and takes 40 minutes to get there.

If you’re travelling from central Johannesburg, the best option is the train, which takes 50 minutes and costs between €8 and €15. If you’re touring the country, we recommend renting a car; the major cities are well connected, but to reach certain tourist sites it’s best not to rely on public transport.

What should I consider before travelling to Pretoria?

• The official currency of South Africa is the South African Rand
• Cards are accepted at most tourist sites.
• Tipping 10% is the norm.
• The best time to travel to Pretoria is April to May or October and November.
• Tap water is safe to drink in Pretoria and the country’s major cities.
• It’s best to hire a car to get around South Africa
• The time is the same as in Spain, except when we change the time.
• There are many languages spoken in the country, with English being the second official language, so you’ll have no trouble communicating in English.
• If you are travelling as a Spanish citizen, you will only need a valid passport with an expiry date greater than 30 days from the date of departure.
• Hedge against possible medical emergencies: travel insured
• Tourist sites are generally safe, but just in case, be careful with your belongings and try to avoid travelling at night.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Pretoria?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all the possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Pretoria.

If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can consult our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about travel to Pretoria