Pietermaritzburg attractions are linked to its history and one of the best ways to view the sites is with a self-guided ‘Town Trails' tour. These are comfortable and easy-to-navigate walks through the city's historical centre and it includes 50 national monuments.
Look out for the hitching rails outside the Imperial Hotel, where Napoleon is said to have tethered his hose, as well as the handsome style of the Standard Bank building. The city's shopping area is in the CBD and it's a real treat for the avid buyer. It is reminiscent of Victorian London and dates back to 1838.
Splendid azaleas are displayed among the majestic indigenous trees that fill the National Botanic Gardens. Pietermaritzburg is an enchanting city with loads of character and splendid outdoors activities to offer. It makes for a great stop-over destination when traveling from Johannesburg to the coast.

How to get here ( Search the Cheapest Flights )
The city is centrally situated between Durban, the Drakensberg and KwaZulu-Natal’s game reserves, on the main N3 highway between Johannesburg and Durban; Pietermaritzburg is approximately 80km north of Durban by road. It has the Oribi airport which serves national destinations and inter-city flights.

Where to stay
Hotels, nightclubs, restaurants and B&B establishments cater for every tourist need.

Around the area
Explore the rest of what the Natal Midlands has to offer.

Pietermaritzburg, Natal Midlands
Set in the heart of the Natal Midlands in KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg is a city of charm and dignity, at its loveliest in spring when masses of azaleas burst into bloom.
When the first Voortrekkers arrived in 1837, they found a tranquil countryside graced by forests, hills and valleys. They settled on a fertile tract of land beside the Umsindusi River and named it after two of their leaders, Gerrit Maritz and Piet Retief. Six years later, the British upgraded the village to a military garrison town. Today, numerous Victorian and Edwardian buildings, quaint pedestrian lanes and other landmarks reflect the substantial British contribution to the development of the town.
And in shady, tree-lined suburbs, spacious red brick bungalows and upper-crust boarding schools reinforce the colonial ambiance of "The Last Outpost of the British Empire" as Maritzburg is affectionately known. The city has a wide range of shops, hotels and restaurants, providing the ideal gateway to the exceptional country inns, recreational resorts and game reserves of the Midlands and the Drakensberg.

Albert Falls Dam Nature Reserve, KwaZulu Natal.
The source of the uMngeni River lies in the uMngeni Vlei area, an ancient wetland bounded by hills. From here it meanders eastward through undulating pastoral countryside until just before Midmar Dam, where it is joined by the Lions River.
Below Midmar Dam the river plunges some 111 metres down the Howick Falls and into the uMngeni Valley where it is joined by the Karkloof tributary before flowing into Albert Falls Dam, rated as one of the best bass fishing dams in the world. The area around the Albert Falls Dam is filled with secluded nature trails and picnic spots, which form part of the Albert Falls Nature Reserve, established in 1975. It is an area only a half-hour’s drive from both Durban and Pietermaritzburg that offers wonderful game viewing, boating, fishing and rock climbing opportunities.
The land here is given over to tracts of mixed woodland, open grassland and small marsh areas, and in the wet seasons birdlife is abundant and includes widows, weavers, waxbills and cisticolas. Wildlife in the reserve includes zebra, numerous buck such as the springbok, the red hartebeest, and oribi, rhino and giraffe. The Albert Falls Amble has aptly chosen as its emblem the Fish Eagle, whose unique cry punctuates the area, and is an arts and crafts route that extends from Albert Falls to Wartburg, Dalton and New Hanover. It has a wonderful selection of crafts, pubs and a number of private game reserves.

Basani Art and Craft Centre, Pietermaritzburg.
Adjacent to the Royal Show grounds in Pietermaritzburg lies Basani Arts and Crafts Centre in Hyslop Road. The centre, which has recently been completely renovated, boasts a gallery, a ceramics room and craft room containing a selection of Zulu crafts. Magwaza clay pots are on offer in the ceramics rooms and are sourced from the surrounding areas of Msinga and Nkandla.
The centre was originally established to provide a central base for young Zulu artists to meet and work. Talented local artists, Mthokozisi Myeza and S Xaba are amongst those whose work is exhibited in the gallery.
One of the unique events, midway during the centre’s week, is Thulanis Artists’ Forum, hosted by the Tatham Art Gallery. The purpose of the forum is to help struggling young artists emerge from what is often an isolated work environment, gain an opportunity to display their work, and receive constructive input.
Each week sees different works on display, and feedback is provided by gallery staff and the artists in attendance. The environment is informal, promotes learning, and is a wonderful opportunity for artists to gain perspective and input in a constructive and helpful way. A core group of artists attends each week, while young up and coming artists are encouraged to attend. The Wednesday forum often includes a guest speaker, who may address a certain technique or genre of art on display.
The centre is open every day from 09h00 – 17h00, but closed on Sundays.
The Artists’ Forum is hosted on a Wednesday afternoon, and artists are working towards creating soccer art for their 2010 exhibits.

Burger Street Jail in Pietermaritzburg.
The Burger Street Jail was closed in 1989 and sections of the jail are open today for tours. The building is now run by Project Gateway, a Christian self-help project, and features a craft shop and coffee shop.
The original jail was built in 1862, replacing the Voortrekker jail on market square in Pietermaritzburg. It is one of the oldest government buildings and is unique because of its red brick and sandstone construction. The jail housed some 1800 prisoners, many of whom were awaiting trial.
A somewhat more gory feature is its gallows, with each block housing its own set. Those of E block were apparently used for public executions. Some of the more recent inhabitants included ANC leaders Harry Gwala and Archie Gumede, while King Dinuzulu was incarcerated at Burger Street after the Bhambatha uprising of 1906. The intention of Project Gateway is to uplift and empower local communities, with the coffee shop providing an opportunity to train in hospitality.

Church Street
Church Street in Pietermaritzburg has been converted into an attractive pedestrian shopping mall. The African Arts and Craft Centre in Fraser Lane specialises in traditional and contemporary work, including sculpture, hand-woven rugs and tapestries, batiks, jewellery and collectors’ pieces.

Garden of Remembrance
The Garden of Remembrance commemorates the servicemen who lost their lives in the two world wars. Sap oozes from the famous Weeping Cross of Delville Wood on the anniversary of the battle in which many South African soldiers died. The Garden of Remembrance is situated across from City Hall.

Golden Horse Casino, Pietermaritzburg.
Scottsville is now home, not only to its well known race course, but to the largest horse statue in the world - a 14 metre Pegasus. The Pegasus proudly greets visitors to the Golden Horse casino, which is a four-star luxury hotel in Pietermaritzburg. The Pegasus was known as the horse god in Greek mythology and was sired by Poseidon, the god of the sea.
Sixteen additional Tang horses line the path to the casino entrance, and these and the carved panels framing the front door, which are reproductions of Assyrian panels from 500BC, were specifically commissioned for the Golden Horse Casino. The casino complex provides 96 luxury rooms and a casino, and has views over Scottsville Race Course.
Three restaurants, ranging from barbeque buffet to Indian cuisine, are available along with a bar and a fast food court. Conferencing facilities are also on offer.

Hayfields Mall
Only a short distance away from central Pietermaritzburg and seconds from the highway, Hayfields Mall is a popular shopping centre with locals. Anchor shops include Pick ‘n Pay, Clicks and the major banks all have a presence here. Photoworld and Postnet make it especially convenient for locals.

Midlands Meander, KwaZulu Natal.
Situated in KwaZulu Natal, the Midlands Meander is just north of Pietermaritzburg and extends from Rietvlei and Currys Post in the east, to Dargle Valley and Fort Nottingham in the west. This stunning stretch is about 80km’s long and brimming with amazing sights, sounds and activities.
No wonder thousands of people traverse the Midlands Meander each year. In 1985 local artists, potters and weavers decided to join forces to create an arts and crafts route. Soon enough, six studios were opened and the Midlands Meander was born. It is also known as the ‘arts and crafts route’. From humble beginnings, the Midlands Meander has grown to more than 160 places to eat, drink, sleep, shop, play as well as a diverse and fascinating mix of arts and crafts.
There are weavers, potters, woodcrafters, leather workers, artists, metalworkers, box makers, herb growers, cheese makers, beer brewers and so much more. There is very little time to be bored with the array of activities and things to see. These villages are also set in picturesque landscapes offering magnificent views. There is so much to explore in the Midlands Meander. From the vastness of shimmering waters of the Midmar Dam to the looming but breath taking Drakensberg Mountains, from quiet villages to an array of craft shops, there is just so much to see and do!

Water sport lovers congregate at the popular Midmar Dam where enthusiasts enjoy windsurfing, sailing, boating, canoeing and much more. Another famed aspect of the Midland Meander Route is the Battlefields Route. It is hard to imagine that this tranquil and beautiful area was once the centre of military clashes of the Anglo-Boer War.
This region boasts the largest concentration of battlefields in South Africa and attracts thousands of history lovers each year. Every town, historical building, battle site and memorial has a fascinating tale to tell. So do not miss out on the opportunity to go on the Battlefield Tours. There are also many historical buildings many of which date back to the 1880's. A number have been declared National Monuments including some well preserved Settler Churches. These monuments include The Natal Railway Museum, The Goodman Household monument and the commemoration wall where President Nelson Mandela was arrested prior to his 27 year imprisonment. Whether you’re a fan of history or not, these sights and monuments provide a fascinating glimpse into the South Africa of old.

The accommodation in Midlands Meander is varied enough to suit any preference. While it is still possible to stay in one of the original old hotels, you also can have the opportunity to spend the night in a tree house surrounded by wildlife in a nature reserve, cuddle by the warm fire in a cave in the mountains, camp in a lush forest or stay in an upmarket Bed and Breakfast - whichever you choose, it promises to be a memorable stay.
There are a vast amount of fantastic restaurants with a diversity of mouth-watering munchies to choose from. Time goes so much slower in this part of the country. Interestingly, the word ‘meander’ means ‘to wander at random’. So take your time, relax and enjoy aimlessly wondering along the winding paths of the beautiful Midlands Meander Route in South Africa. It promises to be a truly unforgettable time.

Natal Museum, Pietermaritzburg.
Situated just south of Pietermaritzburg’s City Hall in Jabu Ndlovu Street, the Natal Museum is one of South Africa’s five national museums, set in a particularly pretty building that dates back to 1905.
The name, Natal Museum, which is in the process of changing in an attempt to reposition itself as it has shifted with the changes in the country, gives little indication of the museum’s collection. It is in fact a cultural and natural history museum renowned for its unique collections - there are eight natural history and around ten cultural history galleries that include an array of mammals (together with the last wild elephant in KwaZulu Natal), birds, amphibians, insects, an extensive mollusc collection (there are few South African land snails that are not represented in the Natal Museum) and a life-size T-Rex model. There is also a room dedicated to Natal’s history, geological and paleontological material, and a reconstruction of a Victorian street, complete with shops and period homes.
What makes the Natal Museum particularly interesting is the array of interesting temporary exhibitions that give the museum a definite dynamic advantage. Exhibitions and happenings have included an exploration of the history of segregation in the US, monthly sessions of Pietermaritzburg’s township poetry group that included a get together of over 100 local poets to celebrate Human Rights Day, a science symposium, and a field trip to the Blommeskat of Namaqualand.

Pietermaritzburg Botanical Gardens, Pietermaritzburg.
One of eight national botanical gardens, Pietermaritzburg's Botanical Gardens occupy an ancient floodplain and hillside on the edge of a mist belt that creates an atmosphere, on days when the mists roll in, something like that of a Dickens novel. The city is not known as the City of Flowers for nothing, and private gardens and public parks here are filled with lush vegetation and seasonal blooms, particularly bougainvilleas that thrive in the intense heat of this part of the world. It is fitting that one of the most beautiful national gardens resides in its heart.
The Pietermaritzburg Botanical gardens were established in the early 1870s and essentially focus on conservation and propagation of rare and endangered indigenous plants, and the cultivation of east coast grasslands. There are some fantastic examples of northern hemisphere plants too, such as tulip and camphor trees, giant figs, magnolias and swamp cypresses. The birdlife, as a result, is magnificent with over 150 recorded species.
Pietermaritzburg’s Botanical Garden is famed for its long avenue of plane trees, planted in 1908, at the end of which is a bell tower that houses a ship bell from the HMS Princess on which King George V crossed the channel in 1918.
There is also a muthi garden of indigenous medicinal plants, displayed around a traditional Zulu hut, a series of lovely walking trails through grassland and indigenous forest, and a popular guided walk programme.