Pretoria is one of the three capital cities of South Africa. It serves as the administrative capital and is the de facto national capital of the country. Pretoria is located along the area which is a transition between Highveld and Bushveld and lies in a warm and fertile valley. Even though it is located just 50 kilometres from the frenetic city of Johannesburg, Pretoria is a relatively very elegant, quiet, and serene city. it is also called as Jacaranda City since there are purple blossom trees all round the streets and thoroughfares where ever you go in the summer time. Before 1994 when Mandela inaugurated the Union Buildings, the city was said to be the international synonym for apartheid.
Pretoria Weather
Pretoria is located in an area which is influenced by summer rainfalls and thus has a mild climate. The days are hot whereas the afternoons may have short but intense afternoon thunderstorms and rainfalls. Occasionally, the thunders are accompanied by lightning and also sometimes result in hail. The average temperatures for summers are a maximum of 30 degree Celsius during the day and 16 degree Celsius during the night. However, the midl climate which exists in winters is dry and with average temperatures of a minimum of 5 degree Celsius and maximum of 20 degree Celsius.
When and Where Should Go in Pretoria
The best time to visit the city of Pretoria is certainly winter or more favourably spring or autumn. Spring time is the best since you can also see the trees along thoroughfares blooming with purple flowers which create a beautiful impression on the road travellers. The Pretoria to Cape Town Train Tour (Flower Show) is a great hit with tourists who come to this place. Also the Pretoria show has a market where you can compare market prices and only then buy anything that you want. spring time also has the Jacaranda Festival with superb cultural events that take place in the city and also attract tourists in great numbers.
Entertainment Places in Pretoria
You can visit the State Theatre and watch a play when you are getting bored. Special performances are screened on weekends for the recognition of talent. You can also take a trip of the steam train and go to cullinan where the largest diamond in the world was found. Also, there are various pubs and nightclubs in the city where you can easily while away the evenings socialising with friends and having a good time. Bird watching and visiting natural reserves present here can also be taken to during the daytime.
Top Hotels in Pretoria
There are many top rated hotels in Pretoria where you can very well enjoy your stay in the city. Hotel 224 which has exactly the same number of rooms too is a comfortable place to plan your stay. Milner 246 is another hotel which promises and delivers the best services and quality of food that is served here. Arcadia Hotel, Court Classique Suite Hotel, Sheraton Pretoria Hotel which is a five star hotel, Courtyard Suite Pretoria, etc are some good options to choose from when you wish to make your stay comfortable as well as wish to get the best value for your money.
Tourist Attraction in Pretoria
The Wonderboom or Wonder Tree is a fig tree which is over 1000 years old and is one of the main tourist attractions in Pretoria. It is present in the Wonderboom Nature Reserve. The Union Buildings which are the location of the South African government are also a place popular with the tourist to pay a visit to. Botanical Gardens and the National Zoological Gardens can also be visited to spend some time exploring the wildlife and flora of the place too. There are also numerous museums in Pretoria which deserve a certain visit. These are the Correctional Services Museum, Melrose House Museum, National Cultural History Museum, Pioneer Museum, Sammy Marks Museum, etc and more which tell the people about the various things about the history and culture of the place. |
