Pretoria, often known for its jacaranda-lined streets and iconic landmarks, holds an array of lesser-known treasures that reveal the city’s rich tapestry of culture, history, and natural beauty. These hidden gems offer unique experiences that captivate both locals and visitors alike. From tranquil nature reserves to vibrant art spaces and historic landmarks, each destination invites you to explore Pretoria from a fresh perspective. This article introduces the top ten hidden gems in Pretoria, helping you uncover the city’s best-kept secrets and discover new layers of its diverse charm.
South African Air Force Museum
Without glorifying the horrors of war and mass violence, being a fan of history and military advancement can certainly be quenched at the Swartkops Air Force Base. Especially, when the SAAF Museum undertakes its annual Pretoria air show with the usual mammoth civil and military aviation exhibition and spectacles. Otherwise, the museum is open daily from Wednesday to Saturday with their conventional hangar displays.
Climbing Barn
This attraction probably can’t be considered a hidden spot of value anymore, but for those who are still not aware of the capital’s proud indoor rock climbing complex, you are entitled to find out about it. The barn is a behemoth for climbing enthusiasts, professionals and beginners alike. It features a vast expanse of climbing walls, and regularly changing routes to keep the layout fresh. They have a wide range of gear for hire and an assortment of beginner classes and personal training courses on offer. The reasonable rates make it the perfect group activity for team building or a fun day outing.
Sci-Enza Science Centre
The oldest interactive science centre in Africa is located at the University of Pretoria. It is ideal for scholars of all kinds and ages. This short and exciting day outing includes a broad spectrum of exhibits in the fields of physics and biology. The centre also plays home to the famed Camera Obscura offering an all-round focused view of Pretoria. There are public talks and seminars free of charge open to the general public and students on various subjects administered by well-known scientists from across the world. The Sci-Enza building is open to the public from Monday to Friday free of charge.
A’la Turka Restaurant
It sometimes is surprising how alien Middle Eastern cuisine still is to the Jacaranda city’s palate. This Turkish restaurant is situated in Yadah Castle close to Irene. They also offer a dance studio and a Turkish bath spa on the property. The sizeable eatery consists of various lounges, garden terraces, and restaurant rooms. The classically Turkish aesthetic makes for a traditional but innovative experience. A’la Turka features a wide selection of set menus in addition to their a la carte bill of fare. The food spans from the orthodox meze such as tabouleh, dolma, and koftas, to the delicious sheikh al mihshi and adana kebab. They also provide nargileh, or argileh, hubbly bubbly Middle Eastern pipes with a great assortment of flavours for hire. You can have your halva, and eat it too.
Grounded at Echo
Grounded at Echo is not only a purveyor of high-grade coffee and various drink varieties. This locale is founded upon the basis that a space that supplies fine food and drink, especially good cups of joe, has the potential to become a workspace and a platform for collaboration in business and the arts. They pride themselves on being more than just a coffee shop or an internet café. Situated in the heart of Villieria, the hangout also functions as a supplier of communal and collaborative workspace. Grounded Work provides services in venue rental and facilities such as hot desks, fibre internet, storage space, print & copy, courier, and a boardroom. All at different, but intensely decent, rates. Not to mention the exceptional interior aesthetic coupled with good food and drink.
