Pretoria

Capital of history, culture and natural beauty

Pretoria serves as one of South Africa’s three capital cities, functioning primarily as the administrative seat where government operations occur. The city features wide tree-lined streets and a mix of historic buildings alongside modern developments. It sits in the northern part of the country within a region known for its rolling hills and temperate climate. Cultural sites include museums, art galleries and memorials that reflect South Africa’s complex history. Parks and botanical gardens provide public spaces where residents and visitors can relax amid urban life.

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City in South Africa

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 4.9

General Safety:	4
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	6

Read details

4/5

In Pretoria, English is widely spoken and understood by most locals, especially in tourist areas, hotels and business districts. Visitors will find it easy to communicate with friendly, bilingual residents.

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Last update: 15 Oct 2026

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Pretoria Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Read how our scores work

Great at blending historic charm with modern vibrancy, Pretoria offers lush gardens, vibrant arts scenes and a gateway to South Africa’s political heart.

Place score

7.3

Best at:

Historic sites

Flowers

Large cities

Museums

Architecture

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

🕌 8

Halal

🌈 7

LGBTQ+

South Africa – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type M Type M: Read about power adapters
Currency:	South African Rand (ZAR) £1 ≈ ZAR 22.10
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in South Africa, and credit cards are commonly used in most establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in South Africa, with 10-15% being the standard in restaurants. Small tips for taxis and hotel staff are also appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, including parks and beaches. However, it is generally prohibited in public spaces like streets.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Designated smoking zones are available in certain locations.

Freedom Day (27 April)	Celebrates South Africa's first democratic elections
Christmas (25 December)	A major festive holiday in the country

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 10111 (Police), 10177 (Ambulance), 112 (from mobile phones)
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Uber
Other:	South Africa is famous for its wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and rich cultural diversity. It offers a wide range of travel experiences from safaris to coastal adventures.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Pretoria, South Africa

🌦️

Jan

🔥

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

☀️

Sep

🔥

Oct

🔥

Nov

🌦️

Dec

High season:	May - Oct.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - April, Nov. - Dec.
Crowdedness:	4 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Jacaranda bloom turns streets purple, usually mid October to early November

Summer rain falls October to March, mostly as short afternoon thunderstorms, winters are dry with frost on cold nights

Kruger National Park and safari areas are best May to September, the dry months, when wildlife gathers at waterholes

Don't miss

🏛️ Stroll through the iconic Union Buildings
🌳 Explore Freedom Park's memorial gardens
⛪ Tour the historic Voortrekker Monument
🌿 Walk Pretoria National Botanical Garden trails
🍲 Sample local dishes at Maboneng Market
🎷 Enjoy live jazz in Brooklyn neighborhood

You've been here?

Why travel to Pretoria?

Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital, offers a blend of history, culture and natural beauty that appeals to travelers seeking depth over spectacle. The city is home to the iconic Union Buildings, where the presidential offices sit amid landscaped gardens overlooking the cityscape – a quiet reminder of South Africa’s complex political past. A stroll through the National Zoological Gardens provides an intimate look at indigenous wildlife in a setting designed for conservation and education. For those interested in heritage, Pretoria’s Old Town showcases well-preserved Cape Dutch architecture, while the Voortrekker Monument stands as a testament to the nation’s pioneer era. The city also hosts several museums, including the South African Museum of Natural History and the National Portrait Gallery, offering insights into the country’s diverse narratives. Culinary enthusiasts will find Pretoria’s food scene reflective of its multicultural population, with restaurants serving everything from traditional braais to contemporary fusion dishes. Local markets such as the Pretoria Market provide fresh produce and artisanal crafts, giving visitors a taste of everyday life. Nature lovers can escape the urban bustle by visiting nearby reserves like the Hartbeespoort Dam or the Pilanesberg National Park, where wildlife sightings are common without the crowds of larger tourist hubs. Overall, Pretoria invites travelers to explore its layered history, vibrant communities and accessible natural surroundings in a relaxed setting.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Church Square
2 Freedom Park
3 Pretoria National Botanical Garden
4 Union Buildings
5 Voortrekker Monument

🎡Places for activities

1 Pretoria Golf Club
2 Pretoria Zoo

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Apies River Lane
2 Pretoria National Botanical Garden

🛍️Shopping

1 Country Walk

🍽️Eat & Drink

1 Pachas
Fine-dining steakhouse on Pinaster Avenue, known for its grilled beef. Large T-bone steaks are the classic order, with seafood on the side.
2 Forti Grill & Bar
Fine-dining Italian restaurant on the top floor of Time Square in Menlyn. It serves pasta and prawns and a fillet for two.
3 Kream
Fine-dining restaurant in the suburb of Brooklyn, on Dey Street. Steaks and seafood follow a first plate of warm bread and butter.
4 The Blue Crane Restaurant and Bar
Grill restaurant with a deck facing a dam in the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary. It cooks pap with boerewors and a Cape Malay lamb curry. A fire pit is outside for cooler nights.
5 La Pentola
Riviera restaurant cooking with Italian and French roots. A chicken pie wrapped in phyllo comes with pasta and steaks. Saturday has no lunch.
6 Crawdaddy's
Seafood restaurant in the suburb of Brooklyn. A platter of fish, calamari and prawns is set in the middle of the table. Steak is served too.
7 Alfie's Pizzeria
Pizzas are baked in a wood-fired oven at this Hazelwood pizzeria and the dough rests before it goes in. House gnocchi is cooked there too.
8 Fermier
Fine-dining farm cooking is served as one set menu and the plates change with what the farm sends. Walk-ins are not taken.
9 Culture Club
Tapas restaurant on 16th Street in Hazelwood, built for small shared plates. Pita comes with dips and meatballs in a tomato sauce.
10 Pretoria Boeremark
Good-value farmers market on the Pioneer Museum grounds in Silverton, open Saturday morning from about 5:30 to 9:30. Stalls sell farm food, coffee and baked goods.

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Knowledge before you go

Carry a reusable water bottle; tap water is safe for drinking in Pretoria.
Use local SIM cards or Wi‑Fi hotspots to stay connected, as roaming rates can be high and coverage varies.
Check the weather forecast before visiting parks; Pretoria experiences hot summers and mild winters with occasional afternoon showers.
Explore the Union Buildings early in the morning for quiet views of Parliament and surrounding gardens, avoiding peak tourist crowds.

How to travel to Pretoria

Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, is accessible via OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, approximately 40 kilometers away. The city is connected to major highways including N1 and N4, facilitating road travel from surrounding regions. A domestic flight to Pretoria’s Waterkloof Air Force Base or nearby airports offers an alternative for travelers prioritizing speed. Public transport includes scheduled bus services from Johannesburg and other cities, as well as taxi networks. Car rentals are available at the airport and major train stations. The city center is reachable via taxi or ride-hailing apps, while guided tours may include transportation arrangements for visitors.

Access summary

From OR Tambo International (JNB): Taxi to Pretoria (45–60 min).
From Johannesburg (Johannesburg CBD): Train to Pretoria (30–40 min).
By bus from Cape Town: overnight coach, 12–14 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Pretoria

Pretoria offers a mix of boutique guesthouses, mid‑range serviced apartments and luxury lodges overlooking the city’s historic gardens. Boutique stays often feature locally sourced décor and personalized concierge services, with nightly rates ranging from ZAR 1,200 (£54.85) to ZAR 2,500 (£114.27). Mid‑scale options such as modern apartment complexes provide kitchenettes, Wi‑Fi and on‑site fitness facilities, typically priced between ZAR 800 (£36.57) and ZAR 1,600 (£73.14) per night. The city’s affluent suburbs host upscale hotels that boast rooftop terraces, spa suites and panoramic views of the surrounding oak trees, with rates from ZAR 2,000 (£91.42) to over ZAR 4,000 (£182.84). For travelers seeking a rural escape, nearby vineyards offer country cottages and wine‑tasting packages, usually around ZAR 1,500 (£68.56) per night.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Inani Hotels Morningstar

7.9

City Lodge Hotel Hatfield Pretoria

8.8

City Lodge Hotel Lynnwood Pretoria

8.9

The Maslow Hotel, Time Square

8.6

Absolute Farenden Apartments

9.2

The Regency Apartment Hotel Menlyn

7.8

314 on Clark Guest House

9.5

The Blades Hotel

8.3

Hotel 224 and Apartments

8.6

THE ROYAL PRIME GUEST LODGE

8.6

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Pretoria

Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital, offers efficient transportation options for getting around. The city’s primary method is the **MyCiTi Bus** system, connecting key areas like the city center, government precincts and residential zones via frequent routes. For flexibility, ride-hailing apps such as Uber or Bolt are widely used, especially in areas with limited public transit. Taxis (minibus or private) are also common but best avoided late at night due to safety concerns. Driving is feasible for those renting cars, though traffic can be heavy during peak hours on major roads like the N1 highway. For short trips, cycling or walking is practical in compact neighborhoods near the city center. Always prioritize licensed transport services and avoid unmarked vehicles.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-47 %

Daily expenses in Pretoria are around 47% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-2 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to ZAR) is 2% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£47	£90	£246
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£45	£128
🍝 Food per day	£15	£34	£96
🚕 Transportation per day	£14	£11	£22

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£14
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£7
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.10
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£5.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.90

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£3.60
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£10
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£23
🤧 Cold medication	£4
💇 Basic haircut	£6

Safety information overview

General safety

Pretoria offers a mixed safety profile: well‑policed city centers and tourist areas are generally secure, yet petty crime such as pickpocketing and vehicle theft can occur. Visitors should stay vigilant, avoid isolated spots after dark and use reputable transport services.

Health & Medical

Pretoria offers reliable medical care with modern hospitals and specialist clinics, though private facilities are pricier. Vaccinations such as yellow fever and typhoid are recommended; malaria risk exists in surrounding areas. Air quality is moderate, but travelers should stay hydrated and use sun protection.

Accessibility

Pretoria offers mixed accessibility: many modern buildings and public transport have ramps, elevators and tactile signage, but older streets and some museums lack curb cuts or accessible restrooms. Public buses are partially wheelchair‑friendly; plan routes in advance for smooth travel.

Tap water

Pretoria’s tap water is generally safe to drink, meeting South Africa’s national standards. Public fountains and refill stations are common in parks and town centres, making hydration convenient for locals and visitors alike. Always check local advisories during heavy rains or maintenance periods.