Pretoria Tourist Information and Tourism

(Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa)



City viewThe administrative capital of South Africa, Pretoria is close to Johannesburg, Kempton Park and Sandton, and boasts deep roots within the history of the country's strong Afrikaner past. The boundaries of Pretoria are constantly expanding and although the city is just a short journey from Jo'burg, the cultural and social differences are great.

Pretoria is known for its strong apartheid days, although today it is clear to see how the different races and communities have become more integrated. The green suburbs of both Acadia and Hatfield are especially attractive, and never more so than in October, when their thousands of Jacaranda trees burst into purple bloom and fill the air with a sweet fragrance. In fact, Pretoria is now home to almost 100,000 Jacarandas, earning the city its popular nickname of the 'Jacaranda City'.





Close to the Groenkloof Nature Reserve and on the south-westerly side of Pretoria, near to Centurion, the University of South Africa (UNISA) is to be found, along with various nightspots. For tourist information, the centrally located Church Square is the place to come, with a popular tourism bureau being located here, within the Old Nederlandsche Bank Building.

Skyline photo

Pretoria Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights

With a history spanning some 350 years, the tourist attractions within Pretoria are varied to say the least. Always popular are visits to the late-Victoria Melrose House and Klapperkop Fort, as well as scenic trips on vintage steam trains, which depart from the Friends of the Rail depot and head into the surrounding Gauteng countryside. Families in Pretoria will enjoy spending time at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa or at the Derdepoort Recreation Resort. More information about Pretoria Tourist Attractions.

Further picture of the city skylineSightseers looking for the main landmarks of Pretoria will find that the Voortrekker Monument is amongst the most popular and offers excellent city views from its observation area at the top.

Other notable sights include Church Square, the City Hall, and the magnificent Union Buildings, which serve as the seat of South Africa's government and date back almost 100 years. More information about Pretoria Landmarks and Monuments.

Photograph of the Union BuildingsMuseum-goers in Pretoria will be able to enjoy plenty of cultural attractions, with the Kruger House, the Pioneer Museum and the National Cultural History Museum being extremely noteworthy - all of which are cram-packed with exhibits and information. If art appreciation is more your thing, then the Pretoria Art Museum, the Association of Arts Pretoria (Kunsvereniging) and the Anton Van Wouw Museum are well worth considering. More information about Pretoria Museums and Pretoria Art Galleries.

Image of the famous Voortrekker MonumentAs you would expect, Johannesburg is the most popular day trip destination and can be reached in around an hour from Pretoria. Other excursions that present themselves to tourists include the town of Rustenberg, the Roodeplaat Dam, the asteroid crater of Soutpan and the Wonderboom Nature Reserve. Those with an interest in diamond mines may well like to journey from Pretoria to Cullinan, where the biggest diamond ever found was once discovered. More information about Pretoria Attractions Nearby.

More Pretoria Information / Fast Facts and Orientation