Pretoria

Heritage & monuments

Voortrekker Monument

The Voortrekker Monument is a granite monument set on a hill south of Pretoria. It was built to honor the settlers who left the Cape Colony in the 19th century, and the view from the hill is striking.

Museums & galleries

Ditsong National Museum of Natural History

This natural history museum sits across from Pretoria's City Hall and has a long history dating back to its opening in 1895. Now part of the Ditsong museum group, it houses a wide range of natural history collections.

Zoos & aquariums

National Zoological Garden of South Africa

Located in central Pretoria, this zoo also houses an aquarium, offering plenty to see. It draws around 600,000 visitors a year, making it a popular spot for a family outing.

Parks & gardens

Church Square, Pretoria

Church Square is a historic plaza in the heart of downtown Pretoria that once served as a marketplace and churchyard. The statue standing at its center draws the eye.

Museums & galleries

Freedom Park

Freedom Park is located in Salvokop, Pretoria, and features memorials honoring victims of the South African Wars, the World Wars, and the apartheid era. It's a place to reflect on South Africa's modern history.

Museums & galleries

Pretoria Art Museum

The Pretoria Art Museum occupies an entire block in the Arcadia district of Pretoria. It's a great place to wander at leisure and take in the works on display.

Museums & galleries

Melrose House

Melrose House is a mansion across from Burgers Park in Pretoria, now run as a museum. It pairs well with a stroll through the park for a look at this historic residence.

Nature

Apies River

The Apies River flows through downtown Pretoria, rising south of the city and joining the Pienaars River to the north. A walk along its banks is a nice way to experience the waterway running through the city center.