Gauteng · South Africa
Where to stay in Pretoria
Pretoria is a city in Gauteng, South Africa, home to about 742,000 people.
- Best months
- March to October
- Nearest airport
- HLA34 km · Lanseria International Airport
- Currency
- ZARrand
- Time zone
- Africa/Johannesburg
- Language
- Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho
About
About 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.
Pretoria is part of City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The area known today as Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, with Pretoria (City) at its centre, is believed to have been occupied by the Sotho people for many centuries. During the 15th century the Ndebele people also migrated into the area and settled along the banks of the Apies River. Tshwane [tsʰwane] is the Setswana name of the Apies River.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Pretoria
See
- Pretoria Botanical Gardens
- National Zoological Gardens (The Zoo)
- The Union Buildings
- The Wonderboom
- Streets with jacaranda trees
- Church Square
- Correctional Services Museum (Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre)
- Melrose House Museum
- National Museum of Cultural History
- Pioneer Museum
- Sammy Marks Museum
- Ditsong National Museum of Natural History
Do
- Friends of the Rail
- Klitsgras Drumming Circle
- Skydive Pretoria
- State Theatre
- Groenkloof Nature Reserve
- Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary
- Fountains
- Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Pretoria to stay in
Being the capital, there are many posh hotels (including the Sheraton) and guest houses and all the usual hotel chains have one or more hotels. With so many hotels owned by the same chains, in particularly Tsogo Sun. Make sure you note the address when booking so you go to the right hotel. When Parliament is in session and when there are other state events it can be almost impossible to find a mid-range or splurge room. Consider nearby Centurion as an alternative if you have to be in Pretoria at those times.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Pretoria
97 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata; the 40 best known are shown, by the number of Wikipedia editions that cover them. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| 12 on Brecher | 3.2 km | |
| 3@Marion Guesthouse | 5.9 km | |
| 314 on Clark Guest House | 6.2 km | |
| 40 on Ilkey B and B | 9.5 km | |
| 94onWild | 9.2 km | |
| A Bed Above Guest House | 7.0 km | |
| Aanmani Rose Guesthouse | 4.5 km | |
| About Guest Lodge | 4.7 km | |
| Absolute Farenden Apartments | 3.3 km | |
| Amoris Guest House-Waterkloof Ridge | 7.0 km | |
| Anew Hotel Hatfield Pretoria | 4.5 km | |
| Apogee Boutique Hotel & Spa | 6.5 km | |
| At 98 on Lynburn Guest House | 10.1 km | |
| Batter Boys Boutique Hotel | 10.8 km | |
| Bay Tree Guest House | 4.4 km | |
| Bed & Breakfast in Hatfield | 5.5 km | |
| Birdwood Boutique Estate | 4.1 km | |
| Brooklyn Guesthouses | 5.2 km | |
| Brooklyn Manor | 6.1 km | |
| Brooklyn Place Guesthouse | 4.8 km | |
| Bushmans Rock Country Lodge | 15.7 km | |
| Casa Flora Guesthouse | 18.3 km | |
| Casa Toscana Lodge | 8.9 km | |
| Casta Diva | 8.0 km | |
| Castello di Monte | 7.5 km | |
| Chancellors Court Guest House | 3.2 km | |
| Ciara Guesthouse | 6.2 km | |
| City Lodge Hotel Hatfield | 4.7 km | |
| City Lodge Hotel Lynnwood | 9.2 km | |
| Coral Tree Inn | 8.4 km | |
| Court Classique Suite Hotel | 3.0 km | |
| Cricklewood Manor | 5.8 km | |
| Du Barry Guest House | 8.0 km | |
| Duke & Duchess Boutique Hotel | 8.6 km | |
| East View Guesthouse | 3.0 km | |
| Edelweiss Corporate Guesthouse | 7.4 km | |
| El Gran Chaparral Guest House | 12.1 km | |
| Fa Trez Guest House and Spa | 11.9 km | |
| Falling Feather Inn | 10.1 km | |
| Firwood Lodge | 7.6 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Pretoria
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Pretoria are March to October. January is the warmest month, with average highs of 29 °C; December is the wettest, with about 124 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Pretoria: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Lanseria International Airport (HLA), about 34 km from the city centre in a straight line; O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB, 44 km) is also within reach.
Getting in
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) in Johannesburg. The Albertina Sisulu Highway or R21 leads from there to Pretoria.
Getting around
Although crime in South Africa is higher than in many other parts of the world, common sense precautions should prevent incidents. Be especially aware of your surroundings after dark and don't travel alone. Main shopping centres are reasonably safe. Either use a metered taxi, rent a car or use the municipal bus service. There is also a very extensive network of informal, cheap minibus taxis, mostly used by local commuters.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
HLA · Lanseria International Airport
JNB · O.R. Tambo International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Pretoria
Eat
The renowned restaurants include Cynthia's, the Hillside Tavern and Pachas. There are also many franchised diners throughout the city.
Stay safe
Pretoria is considered to be a relatively safe city by South African standards and violent crime against tourists is somewhat rare. That said, basic common sense should still be used. Ask locals before you do things. Life after sunset stops a bit and moves to the big shopping centers outside the city. Avoid walking around after dark, even in a group or at Union Buildings. The city centre becomes deserted after nightfall, so it would not be wise to hang around at these times. The shop owners will close their security blinds to protect their property so there is little to see.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Pretoria: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Pretoria?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Pretoria are March to October. January is the warmest month, with average highs of 29 °C; December is the wettest, with about 124 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Pretoria?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Lanseria International Airport (HLA), about 34 km from the city centre in a straight line; O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB, 44 km) is also within reach.
What currency is used in Pretoria?
rand (ZAR).
Nearby
Destinations near Pretoria
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.