View City of Pretoria
Pretoria is a city in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The city also serves as the administrative capital of the country, whereas Cape Town is the legislative capital. Pretoria falls under the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and is located close to Centurion, Midrand and Johannesburg. Pretoria is also known as the Jacaranda city because of the thousands of Jacaranda trees visible in its streets.
Pretoria is divided into many suburbs, with the Northern and Eastern parts considered to be the wealthiest. The town was originally formed in the 1600’s and was then known as Pretoria Philadelphia. Pretoria lies around 1,400 km above sea level. It has a warm climate, with good temperatures all year round. The popular Magaliesberg mountain range can be seen and visited in Pretoria and can be accessed by train, bus, or car hire in Pretoria.
A popular tourist destination in Pretoria is the Union Buildings; which acts as the seat of the South African government and the offices of the President. The Union Buildings are located in Arcadia, a suburb close to Church Square and the Voortrekker Monument. Although access to the buildings is only reserved for officials, the grounds surrounding it is open for the public and it is a very popular picnic spot; featuring beautiful gardens and an entire view of the Pretoria city.
When it comes to shopping, the Menlyn Park Shopping Centre is probably the biggest and most popular one in Pretoria. With entertainment, shopping, movies and events; Menlyn Park Shopping Centre features more than 300 stores and 37 restaurants, covering an area of 119,000 square metres. It is also conveniently located close to the N1 highway, and easily accessible from any direction. With reliable car rental in Pretoria, visitors can enjoy all that Menlyn Park Shopping Centre has to offer.
The OR Tambo International Airport and the Lanseria Airport serves as main entry points for visitors into Pretoria and there are a variety of transportation methods available; including car, bus, taxi’s, and the popular Gautrain rapid rail service. Travellers can also make use of Tempest car hire in Pretoria when visiting, since they have a huge selection of vehicles available at great rates.
Popular restaurants in Pretoria include Stone Cradle; an upmarket venue that boasts the largest lapa in South Afirca. It has more than 140 dishes to offer and features a magnificent view over the eastern parts of Pretoria. Another popular restaurant is Papachinos; which offers wonderful family entertainment. There is no shortage in entertainment in Pretoria; with the Barnyard Theatre, the IMAX Theatre, various cinemas and a wealth of night clubs, there is always something to do in Pretoria.
Visitors to Pretoria can also enjoy its rich cultural history; including various museums, as well as guided tours and safari’s. The Old Fort in the Wonderboom Nature Reserve is an old favourite; and can be found in the northern parts of Pretoria. The house of former president Paul Kruger is now a museum and can be visited in the city’s centre; as well as other favourites such as the Pioneer Museum and the Old Transvaal Museum. Car hire in Pretoria can get you to these areas.
Image Source: Gravitywave