Introduction to Pretoria
Pretoria is a largely administrative and education based city, situated about 50km north of Johannesburg. Primarily Afrikaans in culture it is home to no less than four universities and a number of scientific institutes. As with most university cities, the nightlife is lively, though you may find the busier clubs and bars are populated mostly by students during term time. It is also home to some magnificent museums, theatres and some fantastic restaurants offering a wide choice of both local and global cuisine.
The busiest hub in terms of pubs, clubs and restaurants is the suburb of Hatfield. The area can get pretty hectic at the weekends, though the hawk eyed bouncers employed by club owners ensure things never get too out of hand. It’s definitely the place to be if you’re looking for a fun filled night of eating and drinking.
For something a little more cultural pay a visit to one of the city’s many museums or book tickets for an evening at The State Theatre. Situated in the centre of Pretoria, The State Theatre is actually home to six different theatres showcasing everything from opera to smaller indigenous drama works. Tickets tend to be reasonably priced and with a number of fine restaurants in the building, it makes for a wonderful evening out.
For a taste of the colours and sounds of Africa, keep an eye out for a Zulu dance display. These incredible spectacles are quite common throughout the city and are usually put on in the outdoor amphitheatres for free. A trip to the African craft market near Hartebeespoort is also a great way to spend an afternoon soaking up the local African culture. This is where African and local people bring their handmade goods to sell and if you want to take some local crafts home with you, you’ll find they are much cheaper here than in the craft shops. There are also lots of places to eat so you can spend an entire morning or afternoon there browsing through the stalls before refuelling in one of the restaurants.
Other places of interest in the city include the Pretoria Art Museum in the suburb of Arcadia; the magnificent Union Buildings with their beautifully manicured lawns and gardens and the Voortrekker Monument, which provides an interesting insight into the history of the city under Apartheid. Pretoria also has a fine zoo which makes for a very pleasant day out, although it can get very busy at the weekends and on public holidays.