Places / Africa / South Africa
Pretoria
Visited
At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Region
- Gauteng
- Population
- 740,000
- Best time to go
- September to November, March to May
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Johannesburg O. R. Tambo (JNB)
- Coordinates
- 25.75°S, 28.23°E
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Overview
Pretoria is South Africa's administrative capital, a calmer, greener neighbour to Johannesburg about 50 kilometres to the south. Its wide streets are lined with tens of thousands of jacaranda trees, which turn the city purple every spring.
The city's monuments tell South Africa's story from very different angles, from the Afrikaner Voortrekker Monument to the reconciliation-focused Freedom Park. Leafy suburbs, good restaurants and easy game viewing nearby make it a relaxed base.
Things to see
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Photo: Davinci77, CC BY-SA 3.0 Union Buildings
The seat of government, set above terraced gardens with a huge statue of Nelson Mandela and views across the city.
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Photo: John Walker, Images of Africa Taken from de-Wikipedia, where, Public domain Voortrekker Monument
A massive granite monument on a hilltop, with a marble frieze inside telling the story of the Great Trek.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: User:(WT-shared) NJR ZA, CC BY-SA 4.0 Freedom Park
A thoughtful memorial and museum on Salvokop hill honouring those who died in South Africa's struggles.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Tyler Yeo, CC BY 2.0 Church Square
The historic heart of the city, surrounded by grand old government buildings and centred on a statue of Paul Kruger.
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Photo: Janek Szymanowski, CC BY-SA 3.0 Ditsong National Museum of Natural History
A traditional natural history museum with dinosaur fossils, whale skeletons and a large bird collection.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: O Tupinólogo, CC BY 4.0 Jacaranda season
Visit in October or November when the streets of Arcadia and Brooklyn are canopied in purple blossom.
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Photo: Francesco Bandarin, CC BY-SA 3.0 igo Cradle of Humankind
Explore the fossil caves at Sterkfontein and the visitor centre at Maropeng, about an hour away.
Find tours -
Photo: JMK, CC BY-SA 4.0 Game drive in Dinokeng
A Big Five reserve on the city's northern edge, close enough for a half-day self-drive safari.
Find tours
Where to stay
Hatfield
Near the university and the Gautrain station, with plenty of restaurants and bars.
Hotels in HatfieldBrooklyn and Waterkloof
Leafy, upmarket suburbs with boutique guesthouses and smart dining.
Hotels in Brooklyn and WaterkloofMenlyn
Modern hotels beside one of the country's largest shopping malls.
Hotels in Menlyn
Getting around
Pretoria is spread out, so use ride-hailing apps or hire a car. The Gautrain links Hatfield, the city centre and Johannesburg.
From O. R. Tambo airport, take the Gautrain and change at Marlboro for Pretoria, or drive in about 45 minutes outside rush hour.
When to go
Spring (September to November) brings jacarandas and warm, dry days. Summer has afternoon thunderstorms, while winter days are sunny and mild but nights are cold.
Plan your trip to Pretoria
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Flight and hotel dealslastminute.com
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Adventure travel insuranceWorld Nomads
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.
Over to you
Been here? Share a tip, or ask me anything about it, in the comments.