3 Things to Do in Pretoria, South Africa’s Administrative Capital

Palace of Justice, Pretoria.
Palace of Justice, Pretoria. Photo by Kyle-Philip Coulson on Unsplash

South Africa is one of those countries that have not one, not two, but three capital cities and Pretoria happens to be one of them. The country’s administrative capital doesn’t get as much attention as Cape Town and it’s not as touristy, but it’s worth the visit for more reasons than one.

Exploring Nature

Just like many other South African cities, Pretoria has many stunning natural wonders in its surroundings. Nature reserves, such as Rietvlei and Groenkloof, are pretty popular with tourists, but you should also check out the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa and Pretoria National Botanical Gardens.

Visiting Museums

Passionate museum dwellers can explore the history of Pretoria and South Africa at large in several museums. Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History, Pretoria Art Museum, and Kruger Museum are amongst the city’s most important historical and cultural institutions.

Admiring Architecture

If you’re an architecture lover visiting South Africa, Pretoria won’t leave you disappointed. Many diverse cultural influences impacted its architectural style over the years, and you can find traces of Dutch, German, and British colonial architecture in this city, in addition to modern, art deco, and South African style.