Pretoria CBD (original) (raw)
Pretoria / Tshwane, which lies roughly 50 kilometres north of Johannesburg, is the administrative capital, one of three capital cities in South Africa.
Stand on the slope at the Union Buildings and look towards the Pretoria CBD (central business district) and you will get a real idea of the number of official and historical buildings in town - there are some notable structures that dominate the skyline including the State Theatre and the Reserve Bank of South Africa with its famous office tower.
Whilst the controversy over changing the city's name to Tshwane continues, it is an interesting aside that the city was initially called Pretoria Philadelphia - Pretoria of brotherly love.
There are any number of reasons for visiting Pretoria's centre. There are historic buildings, monuments and museums that include the Pretoria City Hall (in front of it is one of the city's most beautiful parks - Pretorius Square) and Church Square, which is also home to the statue of Paul Kruger, State President when the country was known as the South African Republic. This particular statue was commissioned by Sammy Marks, of Sammy Marks Museum fame (worth a visit in its own right, but east of the CBD in Zwartkoppies).
Just near Church Square in the CBD is the Transvaal Museum, the country's leading natural history museum, which although it has changed venues a number of times, has been around since 1892 (take in the Discovery Centre for a hands-on experience of nature and science).
Other places worth visiting in the Pretoria CBD are the Pretoria Zoo, which is anything but a series of caged animals, the Tshwane Tourism office in the building next to the Ou Raadsaal, Melrose House Museum in Jacob Mar� Street, the National Cultural History Museum and Burgers Park, the oldest park in the city and now a national monument.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Hotel
Court Classique Suite Hotel
Court Classique Suite Hotel offers accommodation in Arcadia, am upmarket suburb in Pretoria. Court Classique Suite Hotel offers a choice of class...
Hotel
ANEW Hotel Capital
Located in the center of Pretoria, Hotel Capital offers comfortable accommodation for up to 208 guests in 104 rooms. From here guests are near to...
Things to do in the area
Family Entertainment
Market On Main
Market on Main Johannesburg saw such resounding success in the City of Gold (Gauteng) that the city of Pretoria has followed suit and was proud t...
Museums
Ditsong Museum of Natural History
The Ditsong National Museum is one of the largest and most impressive natural history museums in South Africa. The museum houses many collection...
Malls & Shopping
Bloed Street Mall
At the Bloed Street Mall you will find a taxi rank in the basement and with the centre situated in the Pretoria CBD this makes transport easily a...
Miscellaneous
National Library of South Africa
The National Library of South Africa (NLSA) in Pretoria holds a collection of South African published books, rare manuscripts, maps, newspapers, ...
Art Galleries
The Javett Art Centre
Staying overnight in Pretoria gives visitors so many opportunities to experience the culture and beauty of South Africa. The University of Pretor...
Noteworthy attractions
Golf Courses
Irene Country Club
The Irene Golf Club has one of the most attractive golf courses imaginable, next to Van der Byl Farm in the small, leafy village of Irene. Irene ...
Golf Courses
Waterkloof Golf Club
Waterkloof Golf Club is also the home of South African cricketing icon, AB De Villiers. Waterkloof is situated on the undulating slopes of Pretor...
Golf Courses
Pretoria Country Club
Founded in 1910, the Pretoria Country Club nestles in the scenic beauty of Waterkloof, one of the city�s most prestigious suburbs. Over the years...
Golf Courses
Pretoria Golf Club
Pretoria Golf Club, or Pretoria West as it is popularly known, is steeped in history. It was established in 1894, which makes it the oldest club ...
Golf Courses
Silver Lakes Golf Course
Silver Lakes Country Club is part of an upmarket residential estate which is situated in genuine Bushveld country, 20 kilometres to the east of P...
Golf Courses
Wingate Park Country Club
Lush and luxuriant in the wet summer months and well groomed throughout the year, the championship Wingate Park course has been rated among the t...
Golf Courses
Woodhill Golf Course
Woodhill Country Club and residential estate is situated in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria and the layout consists of two very different halves ...
Nature Reserves
Wonderboom Nature Reserve
Named after the wild fig (Ficus salicifolia) Wonderboom, for which the reserve is famous, and which grows at the foot of the northern slopes of t...
Landmarks
Pretoria Tours
Pretoria also serves as one of the country�s three capital cities, officially the executive or administrative capital. With plenty to see and do ...
Find accommodation in Pretoria CBD
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Gauteng Accommodation / Northern Gauteng Accommodation / Pretoria Accommodation / Pretoria CBD Accommodation