Pietermaritzburg Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Pietermaritzburg rewards visitors who enjoy history, gardens and the countryside of the Midlands.

• City Hall — A striking Victorian red-brick building with a clock tower, one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
• Gandhi statue and railway station — Mahatma Gandhi was ejected from a first-class carriage at Pietermaritzburg station in 1893, an event commemorated by a statue in the city centre.
• Tatham Art Gallery — A respected gallery with South African and European art, housed in a historic building in the centre.
• KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden — Peaceful gardens with indigenous plants, mature trees and walking paths.
• Nelson Mandela Capture Site — Near Howick, a museum and striking steel-column sculpture mark the spot where Mandela was arrested in 1962.
• Howick Falls and the Midlands Meander — A tall waterfall close to Howick, and a scenic route of craft studios, cafés and farm stalls through rolling hills.
• Comrades Marathon — The famous ultramarathon between Pietermaritzburg and Durban is held each year and draws huge crowds.

Pietermaritzburg lies in a valley and has warm, humid summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms from about November to March. Winters, from June to August, are dry and sunny by day, but nights can be cold, with occasional frost in the surrounding hills.

Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) are usually the most pleasant seasons, with comfortable temperatures for walking in the city and touring the Midlands. The Comrades Marathon, usually held in winter, is a lively time to be in town but accommodation fills quickly.

Pietermaritzburg Airport is a small domestic airport a short drive south of the city centre. Many international visitors also arrive through King Shaka International Airport near Durban, roughly an hour and a half away by road.

From Pietermaritzburg Airport, taxis and hotel transfers are the usual ways into town, and car hire is available. Ride-hailing apps operate in the city. A car is recommended for exploring the Midlands and the Mandela Capture Site.

Accommodation is mainly in guesthouses, B&Bs and mid-range hotels, with country lodges in the Midlands.

• City centre — Close to the City Hall, museums and government offices; suits business visitors and history lovers.
• Scottsville and Wembley — Leafy residential areas with guesthouses, near the university and sports venues.
• Hilton — A green village just above the city, convenient for the Midlands and quieter stays.
• The Midlands — Country hotels and farm stays around Howick and beyond, ideal for relaxing weekends.

• Money: Cards are widely accepted, and cash machines are common; carry some cash for craft stalls and markets.
• Getting around: Use taxis, ride-hailing or a hire car; public minibus taxis are used by locals but can be confusing for visitors.
• Weather: Pack a light rain jacket in summer for afternoon storms, and warm layers for winter evenings.
• Safety: Keep valuables out of sight, avoid quiet streets at night and ask your accommodation about areas to avoid.
• Language: English is widely spoken; learning “Sawubona” (hello in isiZulu) is a friendly gesture.