Pietermaritzburg sits in the hills of KwaZulu-Natal, roughly halfway between Durban and the Drakensberg, and it works as both a city in its own right and a practical base for the surrounding region. The centre holds the historic core, with Church Street and its Gandhi statue, while the suburbs spread out into the surrounding hills, some of them forested and green.
For a visitor, the useful distinction is between staying in or near the city centre, where the historic sights and government buildings cluster, and staying in the suburban areas, which are quieter and often closer to the N3 for onward travel. This guide covers the areas the sources identify as places to sleep, and what each is like to base yourself in.
Best areas to stay in Pietermaritzburg
1. Pietermaritzburg city centre (downtown)
The centre is where the historic sights are: Church Street, with the bronze statue of Gandhi, and the older civic buildings that date from the city's time as the colonial capital. It is also where the provincial government offices are, so the area has a working, administrative character during the day.
This suits visitors who want to be within walking distance of the centre's sights and who prefer an urban setting. Accommodation here is limited, and the sources describe the downtown options as few, with at least one higher-end, century-old hotel offering a historic ambiance. If you stay here, expect the centre to be your base for the sights rather than a resort-style stay.
2. Scottsville
Scottsville is a suburban area reached from the N3 off-ramp on Alan Paton Drive, which makes it straightforward to find if you are arriving by car. It sits close to the university side of the city and has a residential, day-to-day feel rather than a tourist one.
It suits travellers who want a quieter base with easy road access, and it is a practical choice for those passing through the region. The sources list bed-and-breakfast accommodation here, with rooms that include air-conditioning and DSTV and a dining area serving breakfast, lunch or dinner, plus transfers to King Shaka International Airport and regionally. The Alan Paton Drive approach from the N3 is the key practical point: you are on the right side of town for arriving and leaving by road.
3. Hilton and the forested hills above the city
Hilton lies in the evergreen, forested hills above Pietermaritzburg, reached from the N3 via the Cedera off-ramp onto the R103, over the freeway and past the traffic lights at Crossways. The setting is green and elevated, with garden views, and it feels removed from the city centre.
This suits visitors who want a calm, green base and do not mind being outside the city proper, as well as those breaking a journey along the N3. Accommodation here is in the bed-and-breakfast style, in houses with gardens. The practical point is the approach: coming from the N3 you take the Cedera off-ramp and follow the R103 over the freeway into Hilton, then continue down the hill towards town, so a car makes this area much easier to use.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: bed-and-breakfast accommodation in the suburban areas, with modest rooms and breakfast available on site. The sources indicate rates at the lower end of the local range for this kind of stay.
- Mid-range: the same bed-and-breakfast and guesthouse style of accommodation, with more space, garden settings and added conveniences such as air-conditioning, satellite television and airport transfers.
- Splurge: the higher-end hotels, which the sources place in the city centre, including a long-established hotel with a historic ambiance.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the Pietermaritzburg city centre. It puts you closest to the historic core, including Church Street and the Gandhi statue, which is the part of the city most visitors come to see. The trade-off is that downtown accommodation is limited, so if the centre is full, Scottsville is the sensible fallback for its easy N3 access.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay in the city centre or in the suburbs?
Stay in the centre if you want to be near the historic sights and the civic buildings. Stay in the suburbs, such as Scottsville or Hilton, if you want a quieter, greener base and easy access to the N3 for travel onward.
Do I need a car to stay in the Hilton area?
It helps. Hilton is reached from the N3 via the Cedera off-ramp onto the R103, over the freeway and past the Crossways traffic lights, then down the hill towards town. That approach is designed around road travel.
What kinds of accommodation are available in Pietermaritzburg?
The sources describe hotels, including a higher-end option in the city centre, and bed-and-breakfast accommodation in the suburban areas, some with air-conditioning, satellite television, dining and airport transfers.
Can I get to the airport from accommodation in Scottsville?
Yes. The sources note that transfers are available to and from King Shaka International Airport, as well as regionally, from bed-and-breakfast accommodation in Scottsville.
Compare live prices and availability across these areas using the booking tools on this page before you decide.