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Pretoria
Executive capital of South Africa

Pretoria

Pretoria is the executive capital of South Africa, serving as the seat of the executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to the country.

Plan a trip to Pretoria→From Johannesburg
Get in

Getting to Pretoria

Five highways join in the Gauteng region, making it accessible from all cities in the country. This would include the N1, N3, N4, N12 and N14 national highways. Most National Routes (N) are toll roads. Open road tolling (e-toll) is available on the freeways around Johannesburg and Pretoria. The closest international airport is O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB IATA) in Johannesburg.

  1. 01
    Pretoria
See

Worth seeing

  1. 01
    Pretoria Botanical Gardens

    2 Cussonia Ave, Brummeria, Pretoria, Gueteng, South Africa, fax: +27 12 804 4992, pretoriagarden@sanbi.org.

  2. 02
    National Zoological Gardens
  3. 03
    The Union Buildings
  4. 04
    The Wonderboom
  5. 05
    Church Square
  6. 06
    Correctional Services Museum

    Historical articles show the development of the penal system in South Africa from the most barbaric methods to the modern penological system of today.

Do

Things to do

  1. 01
    Friends of the Rail
  2. 02
    Klitsgras Drumming Circle
  3. 03
    State Theatre
  4. 04
    Groenkloof Nature Reserve

    Fountains Valley Resort (take exit 335 (M7 (M18) Eeufees Rd) off the N14 and follow the Fountains Resort sign), groenkloofnaturereserve@tshwane.gov.za.

  5. 05
    Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary
  6. 06
    Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo

    A combined airshow and trade exhibition, also open to the public, taking place biannually in September.

Eat

Where to eat

The renowned restaurants include Cynthia's, the Hillside Tavern and Pachas. There are also many franchised diners throughout the city. Centurion Mall Express Sandwich Baron (annemarie@sandwichbaron.com), Shop 30A, Cnr Hendrik Verwoerd and Embankment, Centurion Mall, Centurion,. Sandwich Baron produces freshly made platters and sandwiches and holds no ready-made products in stock. Also has a catering service. Mimmos.

How locals move

Getting around Pretoria the local way

  • Get aroundThere is also a very extensive network of informal, cheap minibus taxis, mostly used by local commuters.
  • Go nextThere are hot air balloon rides over the savanna, a cable car, a golf course and watersport.

From Wikivoyage: Pretoria, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.

Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wolfgang Moroder (CC BY-SA 3.0), Wikimedia Commons.