Pretoria Attractions
One of three capital cities in South Africa, Pretoria serves as both the executive and de facto national capital. In comparison to Johannesburg and Cape Town, Pretoria is the quieter and more relaxed option for travelers looking to explore the southern cone of this rich and complex region. Today's leafy and pristine ambience in Pretoria would hardly give any indication of the tumultuous past the city and surrounding villages once endured. Yet the moment you begin investigating that history and asking around, you'll soon find there is much more than meets the eye.
For history buffs looking to reveal the underside of Pretoria, the Claude Malan Museum displays a fair mix of historical artifacts and artwork, with particular focus placed on collector's items such as books, diamonds, gold and silver, decorative objects, military paraphernalia, toys, and more. For a historical stop-off that tantalizes the senses of niche hobbyists, the Correctional Service Museum might be precisely the oddity you've been looking for. With a fascinating array of artwork, forged keys and even illegally made tools fabricated by prisoners themselves, this museum claims to be the only of its kind in South Africa.
What was formerly known as the Transvaal Museum has since adopted the name Ditsong Museum of Natural History and is host to an extensive array of fossils, animal, plant and even hominid remains. Included in the exhibitions are what scientists believe to be ancient human bones from the World Heritage site found nearby, appropriately called the Cradle of Humankind. This historical site located mainly in the Gauteng province covers nearly 47,000 hectares of privately owned land and provides a worthy excursion for Pretoria visitors.
Once you've had your fill of historical, cultural and natural history, you might just find yourself in the mood to do what tourists tend to do best, shop. Luckily Pretoria provides one of the county's most fascinating markets, the Welwitscia Country Market, which is open from Tuesday through Sunday and not only provides live entertainment but also an array of handmade African arts and crafts, leatherwear, jewelry, ceramics, locally inspired clothing, wooden novelties, and more. More than just a place to purchase souvenirs, it allows you to take something with cultural significance back home with you.
For history buffs looking to reveal the underside of Pretoria, the Claude Malan Museum displays a fair mix of historical artifacts and artwork, with particular focus placed on collector's items such as books, diamonds, gold and silver, decorative objects, military paraphernalia, toys, and more. For a historical stop-off that tantalizes the senses of niche hobbyists, the Correctional Service Museum might be precisely the oddity you've been looking for. With a fascinating array of artwork, forged keys and even illegally made tools fabricated by prisoners themselves, this museum claims to be the only of its kind in South Africa.
What was formerly known as the Transvaal Museum has since adopted the name Ditsong Museum of Natural History and is host to an extensive array of fossils, animal, plant and even hominid remains. Included in the exhibitions are what scientists believe to be ancient human bones from the World Heritage site found nearby, appropriately called the Cradle of Humankind. This historical site located mainly in the Gauteng province covers nearly 47,000 hectares of privately owned land and provides a worthy excursion for Pretoria visitors.
Once you've had your fill of historical, cultural and natural history, you might just find yourself in the mood to do what tourists tend to do best, shop. Luckily Pretoria provides one of the county's most fascinating markets, the Welwitscia Country Market, which is open from Tuesday through Sunday and not only provides live entertainment but also an array of handmade African arts and crafts, leatherwear, jewelry, ceramics, locally inspired clothing, wooden novelties, and more. More than just a place to purchase souvenirs, it allows you to take something with cultural significance back home with you.
Voortrekker Monument Museum
Eufees Road
Voortrekker Monument Heritage Site
The Legendary Great Trek...
Church Street Cemetery (Heroes' Acre)
Church Street
Corner of DF Malan Drive
A hero's cemetery on one of the longest streets in the world...
Pretoria Art Museum
Corner Wessels and Schoeman Street
Arcadia Park
Everything From Classical to Contemporary Art...
