Arcadia, Pretoria
Arcadia is a suburb in Pretoria known for its historical buildings, embassies and hotels. The Union Buildings as well as the President's residence are also situated here.
Interestingly, Andries Francois du Toit was the original owner of the land on which the Union Buildings were built. In addition, he was Pretoria's first magistrate and was responsible for the layout of the city. During this period he sold his land, called Arcadia, to Stephanus Jacobus Meintjies after whom the hill in Arcadia is named. The Union Buildings form the official seat of the South African government and also house the offices of the President of South Africa. These grand buildings sit on Meintjies Kop and overlook Pretoria.
Pretoria has the second largest number of embassies in the world, after Washington, D.C., most of which are located in or near Arcadia. The main road is Park Street on which the US Embassy compound can be found. Other attractions situated on Park Street is the spectacular Pretoria Art Museum in its Mid-Century Modernist building, The Gerard Moerdyk Restaurant which serves traditional colonial African meals in a house built in 1920 by this famous architect, as well as Loftus Versfeld Stadium where local and international rugby as well as soccer matches are played and can be seen.
The University of Pretoria is also near Arcadia. With a total of approximately 38 499 students, this university is the country's largest residential university. Arcadia is home to trendy shopping malls, nightclubs to satisfy the abundance of students, upmarket residential areas, world class restaurants and other entertainment facilities. The amenities as well as important monuments and fascinating architectural buildings make Arcadia a must to experience.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Chancellors Court Guest House
Chancellor's Court Guest House in Pretoria is an ideal retreat for both business travellers and tourists. The accommodation's location provides e...
Court Classique Suite Hotel
Court Classique Suite Hotel offers accommodation in Arcadia, am upmarket suburb in Pretoria. Court Classique Suite Hotel offers a choice of class...
Akanani Apartments
In the heart of Pretoria lies Akanani Apartments, an apartment hotel that defines class and sophistication. The property offers accommodation in ...
Park Gables
Park Gables offers a popular alternative to hotel accommodation for couples or families with an attractive mix of convenience, privacy, unobtrusi...
Premier Hotel Pretoria
Premier Hotel Pretoria offers spectacular views of the city and jacaranda lined streets. The 118 rooms feature the modern amenities Explore muse...
360 Eastwoods Guesthouse
360 Eastwoods is situated in the heart of Arcadia, one of the oldest and most loved suburbs of Pretoria. Accommodation is offered in six fully fu...
Sheraton Pretoria Hotel
The Sheraton Pretoria Hotel, situated within the heart of South Africa's dazzling capital city, which is only 45 minutes away from Johannesburg a...
Things to do in the area
Rosarium at Venning Park
The Venning Rose Park was previously known as Eastwood Square. The name Venning Park honoured John Harold Venning, former Municipal Director of P...
Shopping at Duncan Yard
Nestled in the heart of Pretoria, Duncan Yard is a distinctive boutique lifestyle centre, where you wander through quaint stores and eateries alo...
Zemara African Restaurant
The Zemara Restaurant is nestled within the Pretorian suburb of Arcadia, and offers cuisine that stands out from the rest. This menu is focussed ...
Ditsong Museum of Natural History
The Ditsong National Museum is one of the largest and most impressive natural history museums in South Africa. The museum houses many collection...
Bloed Street Mall
At the Bloed Street Mall you will find a taxi rank in the basement and with the centre situated in the Pretoria CBD this makes transport easily a...
Fort Klapperkop
Situated in Groenkloof in Pretoria is the very majestic and magnificent Fort Klapperkop. Now restored to its original state, this fort is one of ...
National Library of South Africa
The National Library of South Africa (NLSA) in Pretoria holds a collection of South African published books, rare manuscripts, maps, newspapers, ...
Pretoria Art Museum
The Pretoria Art Museum is an art museum of world renown, specialising in South African art. Their mission is collecting, documenting and conserv...
Market On Main
Market on Main Johannesburg saw such resounding success in the City of Gold (Gauteng) that the city of Pretoria has followed suit and was proud t...
Noteworthy attractions
Irene Country Club
The Irene Golf Club has one of the most attractive golf courses imaginable, next to Van der Byl Farm in the small, leafy village of Irene. Irene ...
Waterkloof Golf Club
Waterkloof Golf Club is also the home of South African cricketing icon, AB De Villiers. Waterkloof is situated on the undulating slopes of Pretor...
Pretoria Country Club
Founded in 1910, the Pretoria Country Club nestles in the scenic beauty of Waterkloof, one of the city's most prestigious suburbs. Over the years...
Pretoria Golf Club
Pretoria Golf Club, or Pretoria West as it is popularly known, is steeped in history. It was established in 1894, which makes it the oldest club ...
Silver Lakes Golf Course
Silver Lakes Country Club is part of an upmarket residential estate which is situated in genuine Bushveld country, 20 kilometres to the east of P...
Wingate Park Country Club
Lush and luxuriant in the wet summer months and well groomed throughout the year, the championship Wingate Park course has been rated among the t...
Woodhill Golf Course
Woodhill Country Club and residential estate is situated in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria and the layout consists of two very different halves ...
Wonderboom Nature Reserve
Named after the wild fig (Ficus salicifolia) Wonderboom, for which the reserve is famous, and which grows at the foot of the northern slopes of t...
Pretoria Tours
Pretoria also serves as one of the country's three capital cities, officially the executive or administrative capital. With plenty to see and do ...
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