Pietermaritzburg, Natal Midlands
Set in the heart of the Natal Midlands in KwaZulu Natal, staying in Pietermaritzburg particularly convenient for travellers that want to explore this part of the country. It 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.
Travellers' Reviews
4 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
Although much has changed since my school days in Pietermaritzburg its still a lovely city to visit. I love the red brick architecture of the City Hall and the beautiful trees of Alexander Park. 'Art in the Park' is a must if you are visiting at that time of the year and the Royal Show is always good fun too!
Helen (Kearsney)
Verified review
Pietermaritzburg is nice to visit, its pretty but not somewhere I would stay for long.
Michelle (Cape Town)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options

Tancredi Bed & Breakfast
Tancredi is a beautifully restored Victorian home offering accommodation in four en-suite bedrooms. At Tancredi Bed & Breakfast, room facilities...

Wensleydale Guest Lodge
Beautifully appointed with an African safari lodge flavour, Wensleydale Guest Lodge is situated in Pietermaritzburg and offers a combination of s...

Redlands Hotel
Redlands Hotel is situated in the sought after northern suburb of Wembley in the heart of the beautiful Redlands Estate. Ideally situated 5 minut...

7 on Oakleigh
7 On Oakleigh Self-catering Garden flats are situated in the leafy, upmarket suburb of Wembley, on the north side of Pietermaritzburg. The units ...


The Knoll Guest House
The Knoll Guest House and Backpackers is situated at the gateway of the Midlands Meander close to Pietermaritzburg. Knoll Guest House offers trav...

Kings Hill Bed & Breakfast
Kings Hill offers comfortable bed & breakfast accommodation in Hilton. While here you are welcome to make use of the swimming pool and the braai ...

Hilton Bed n Breakfast
Hilton Bed n Breakfast is a small, select residence situated in the heart of Hilton village. Only 1km from the town centre and 15 minutes from Ho...

The Jays Guest House
The Jays Guest House offers three tastefully decorated and comfortable double en-suite rooms with private entrances as well as 3 self catering ro...

The Hilton Bush Lodge
The Hilton Bush Lodge is situated 200 metres below Hilton, thus enjoying the best of Hilton weather together with bushveld warmth. We offer our v...

Wartburger Hof Hotel
The Wartburger Hof Hotel can be found in Wartburg only 40km away form Pietermaritzburg. Choose from standard rooms, family rooms or the honeymoon...

Elbow's Rest Self Catering
Elbow's Rest is situated in the vibrant village of Hilton, at the gateway to the KwaZulu Natal Midlands. Our three self catering units are set ap...

Lincoln Cottages
Lincoln Cottages is nestled amongst indigenous Acacia trees in the tranquil suburb of Lincoln Meade, and offers an ideal base from which both the...

Bancroft B&B
Located in the forested, evergreen hills of Hilton, above Pietermaritzburg, is Bancroft B&B. We offer three stylish and extremely comfortable, we...

79 On Ridge Bed And Breakfast
79 On Ridge Bed & Breakfast is an elegant choice for visitors to Pietermaritzburg. 79 On Ridge has personal service, attention to detail, and pro...

At Home Self Catering
At Home Self Catering is located in the leafy northern suburb of Clarendon in Pietermaritzburg. We offer our clientele an up market, stylish apar...


Imperial Hotel
Nestled in the heart of Pietermaritzburg, the century old aHa Imperial boasts historic ambiance and prestige. The hotel offers timeless elegance ...

Abbots Cove B&B
Abbots Cove B&B offers accommodation in Hilton only 9 minutes from Pietermaritzburg, 10 minutes from Midmar Dam and 45 minutes from Durban. Abbot...

SmithGrove B&B
SmithGrove B&B has accommodation with a beautiful mix of the old and the new, with its classical Victorian design housing a contrast of modern fu...


Fountains Self Catering B&B
Fountains, which has a highly recommended rating, is a self catering B&B, that makes use of solar power, destination for the discerning traveller...

Gateside Guesthouse
Situated in peaceful Hilton village, Gateside Guesthouse is 10 km’s from Pietermaritzburg’s city centre and set in a quiet cul-de-sac with magnif...

Duvet & Crumpets
Duvet & Crumpets is very conveniently situated in the lovely city of Pietermaritzburg - being only two km from the start of Comrades, the Amashov...

Valley Vista Lodge
Valley Vista Lodge is an up market guesthouse situated in a leafy suburb close to the Pietermaritzburg CBD and with stunning views over the city ...

Ridgeway Close
Ridgeway Close is situated in the heart of the suburb of Scottsville, one of the major accommodation areas of Pietermaritzburg. We offer a variet...

Town View Unit Two
Town View Unit Two in a secure complex in Clarendon, Pietermaritzburg and accommodates four guests in two bedrooms. The open plan interior is ta...

Ascot Bush Lodge
Ascot Bush Lodge offers accommodation in 11 en-suite rondavels with Queen sized beds, four family lodges equipped with one queen and two single b...


Thembelihle Guest House
Thembelihle Guest House offers comfortable accommodation in Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg. We offer five suites, each with a double bed, an en-su...

Hilton View B&B
Hilton View B&B is a palatial home offering luxury bed & breakfast accommodation in Hilton with a view towards the Drakensberg and Karkloof mount...

Matts Rest B&B
Matts Rest B&B is set in a tranquil garden setting and offers self- catering as well as bed and breakfast accommodation in the quiet surburb of H...

Town View Unit One
Situated in a secure complex in the leafy northern suburb of Clarendon and just 3kms from the centre of town, Town View Unit 1 offers accommodati...

Thorn Tree Lodge
Thorn Tree Lodge is located in Hayfields, Pietermaritzburg. The lodge offers accommodation in twenty one rooms and is set in an indigenous garden...

Lake Sands Manor
Lake Sands Manor offers accommodation in Hayfields, Pietermaritzburg and is ideally positioned close to many popular attractions. We can be found...

ANEW Hotel Hilton
Originally established in 1936, the elegant and upmarket hotel consisting of 97 rooms now boasts all the modern amenities expected from tourists ...

Arlington Guest Lodge
Located in Wembley, Pietermaritzburg, Arlington Guest Lodge offers easy access to all that Pietermaritzburg has to offer. The Lodge provides nine...

A Bit of Heaven
A Bit of Heaven is a peaceful retreat overlooking a fairy tale garden. Centrally situated , A Bit of Heaven offers easy access to all local ameni...

Madlula's Guesthouse
Madlula's Guesthouse is neatly tucked next to the university of KwaZulu Natal, between Hayfields and Scottsville malls in Pitermaritzburg. We off...

Redlands Hotel
Redlands Hotel is situated in the sought after northern suburb of Wembley in the heart of the beautiful Redlands Estate. Ideally situated 5 minut...

Home From Home B&B
Home From Home B&B is situated in the quiet suburb of Hayfields on the Durban side of Pietermaritzburg. There are also many public and private sc...

Greenlands B&B
Greenlands B&B is graded as Highly Recommended by the AA. Each of the five air-conditioned, comfortable, well equipped, tastefully furnished, air...


Jean-Lee Bed and Breakfast
Jean-Lee Bed and Breakfast offers accommodation in well appointed rooms to suit your needs. Laundry, evening meals and self-catering are availabl...

Gecko Hill
The best located B&B accommodation in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal! Situated a mere 600 metres from the Cascades shopping centre, Virgin Activ...

Dunranch House
Dunranch House is an upmarket Guest House offering Bed & Breakfast accommodation and a self-catering cottage on two acres on the northern side of...

Wooden Manor Guest House
Wooden Manor Guest House is located in Clarendon, Pietermaritzburg, just below World’s View. Choose from a Bed & Breakfast room or the Self Cater...

Taunton House
Taunton House is a Natal Midlands Bed and Breakfast located in Wembley, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. The surroundings are very tranquil, with ...

MS Self Catering
Located in a quiet residential area of Pietermaritzburg, MS Self Catering provides comfortable accommodation for 14 guests in five bedrooms and a...

Hamilton Guesthouse
Situated in Pietermaritzburg, Hamilton Guesthouse offers comfortable accommodation for up to eight guests. Here you are near to a variety of attr...

Africa's Eden
Africa’s Eden is a 2 acre estate situated along a small green belt, wedged between 2 streams - hardly what you would expect to find a mere 2.5 km...

Hidden Inn
The Hidden Inn is your home away from home. Accommodation is comprised of three semi units with en-suite bathrooms, a lounge area and a kitchenet...

Brevisbrook Bed & Breakfast
Enjoy the warmest hospitality in Pietermaritzburg as Patrick welcomes you to Brevisbrook. Guests feel most relaxed in this peaceful country style...

Acacia Bush Lodge
Acacia Bush Lodge is a self-catering bush camp about 10 minutes from central Pietermaritzburg. Comfortable accommodation is offered in fully equi...

Villa Santuario Guest House
Villa Santuario offers superior, well appointed self-catering accommodation. "the Studio" is a spacious two bed-roomed unit with a queen size dou...

iLawu Lodge
iLawu Lodge can be found in the Scottsville area in Pietermaritzburg. Each double room has a king size bed that can be split into two single beds...

A Garden Suite
Situated in the lush suburb of Athlone in Pietermaritzburg, A Garden Suite is ideally located close to a number of private schools, shopping mall...

The Musafer Travel Lodge
The Musafer Travel Lodge offers a Muslim owned and managed establishment with Islamic ethos and Halaal meals. All rooms are offered on a bed and ...
Things to do in the area

Visit Alexandra Park
Pietermaritzburg is named as the 'Garden City' and Alexandra Park is named after Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII. The park's plush 65 Hectare...

Blue Caterpillar Art Gallery
Visit the Blue Caterpillar Art Gallery showcasing the work of top South African artists. Visit them at 37 Willowton Road in Pietermaritzburg for ...

Run into the Comrades Museum
An old restored Victorian house holds the history and memorabilia of an old race that is the ultimate human race. Comrades Marathon House serves ...

Tatham Art Gallery
Let art be part of your KwaZulu-Natal experience when you book accommodation in Pietermaritzburg. This vibrant city is home to the Tatham Art Gal...

Tea at Rosehurst Garden
Located at 239 Boom Street in Pietermaritzburg is a converted Victorian Cottage called Rosehurst. The gorgeous garden was established almost thi...

Visit the Natal Museum
Trade in an afternoon playing with mini plastic dinosaur toys for an afternoon spent gazing at a life size models of Stegosaurus, Triceratops and...

Visit the National Botanical Garden
The Pietermaritzburg National Botanic Garden has a planted area dedicated to attracting 150 species of local birdlife and planted acres dedicated...

Voortrekker - Msunduzi Museum
Voortrekkers is Afrikaans/Dutch for pioneers but literally means 'those who trek ahead'. The Great Trek (Die Groot Trek) refers to a number of ma...

The Olive Tree Coffee Shop
If you live in or around Pietermaritzburg and are looking for somewhere to lunch why not try the Olive Tree Coffee Shop (if of course you haven’t...
Noteworthy attractions

Albert Falls Dam Nature Reserve
The source of the uMngeni River lies in the uMngeni Vlei area, an ancient wetland bounded by hills. From here it meanders eastward through undula...

Midmar Dam Nature Reserve
The large stretch of fresh water from the uMngeni, coupled with 1000 hectares of game park that contains red hartebeest, blesbok, reedbuck, black...

Bosch Hoek Golf Club
Bosch Hoek Golf Course in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands must qualify as one of the most picturesque layouts in the country. The estate is convenient...

Gowrie Farm Golf Course
Gowrie Farm Golf Course, one of KwaZulu Natal’s finest golf courses, was built in the traditional way with push up greens and rugged bunkers. The...

Maritzburg Golf Club
The Maritzburg Golf Club in Pietermaritzburg is one of the oldest golf clubs in South Africa, dating back to 1886. It has lush, smooth cynodon gr...

Sakabula Golf Club
Sakabula Golf Club is a unique combination of agricultural smallholdings around a delightful 18-hole, par 73, golf course in a scenic rural envir...

Victoria Country Club
Less than five minutes from the CBD of Pietermaritzburg, the Victoria Country Club is superbly located in the scenic parklands adjoining the Quee...

Battlefields Route
The KwaZulu Natal hinterland has witnessed some of the most brutal and significant battles to be fought in South Africa. These historical sites f...

Midlands Meander
The enchantment of the Midlands has long inspired many a visitor and resident to creativity and as a result, local artists, potters and weavers c...
Find accommodation in Pietermaritzburg
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / KwaZulu Natal Accommodation / Natal Midlands Accommodation / Pietermaritzburg Accommodation