Stand on Church Street in the city centre and you are standing where a young Mahatma Gandhi was removed from a first-class carriage on 1 June 1893, then spent a winter night in the station waiting room deciding to stay in South Africa and fight racial discrimination. A bronze statue of Gandhi now stands on that same street, a short walk from a city hall built of red brick on a scale that surprises first-time visitors.
Pietermaritzburg, called Maritzburg or PMB for short, is the capital of KwaZulu-Natal and its second-largest city. It suits travellers passing between Durban and the Drakensberg, history-minded visitors following Voortrekker, colonial and Gandhi-era threads, and anyone who wants a walkable city centre paired with gardens and a nature reserve on the edge of town.
This guide covers the sights and experiences the city's travel sources actually name, with practical notes on how to combine them, and a one-day plan that strings the best of them together.
Top things to do in Pietermaritzburg
1. Pietermaritzburg City Hall
Built in 1902 and standing at 145 Chief Albert Luthuli St in the CBD, the City Hall is a prime example of Victorian architecture and a national monument. It contains a large organ, and concerts are occasionally held here.
Pair it with the Natal Society Library directly behind the building, which has a large children's wing. Both sit in the middle of the city centre, so they work well as the first stop of a walking day.
2. KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden
At 2 Zwartkop Rd in Mayor's Walk, these gardens focus on indigenous flora and offer diverse walks through forests and open ground. The sources describe them as spectacular and worth an extended visit.
A restaurant and coffee shop sits at the entrance, so you can plan a meal around your walk. On weekends you will see a stream of wedding parties arriving for photographs, which is part of the experience rather than something to avoid.
3. Gandhi statue, Church Street
The bronze statue in Church Street in the city centre marks the spot associated with Gandhi's removal from the train at Pietermaritzburg on 1 June 1893, and the decision he made that night in the station waiting room to remain in South Africa and campaign against discrimination.
It is a short, free stop in the middle of the city centre. Combine it with the City Hall and the Tatham Art Gallery, both on or near Chief Albert Luthuli St, rather than making a separate trip.
4. Tatham Art Gallery
On Chief Albert Luthuli St, the gallery holds fine artwork and an impressive, ornate clock on the second floor. Entrance is free, and there is a coffee shop on the second floor.
Because it sits on the same street as the City Hall, it slots naturally into a city-centre morning. The coffee shop makes it a sensible pause between sights.
5. Voortrekker / Msunduzi Museum
At 351 Langalibalele St, this museum depicts the heritage of different cultural groups of KwaZulu-Natal, including the Great Trek by the Afrikaner people into the interior of South Africa.
It gives context to the Voortrekker history that runs through the city, including the vow taken on 9 December 1838 that led to the building of the Church of the Vow, which still stands today. Set aside proper time here rather than treating it as a quick stop.
6. Queen Elizabeth Park
Up on the hills above the city, Queen Elizabeth Park contains zebra, buck and the like. There are no leopards or dangerous creatures, so you can walk around and enjoy the park on foot.
Keep an eye on your food, as monkeys are known to steal it. Because it sits further afield than the city-centre sights, give it its own slot in the day rather than squeezing it between stops.
7. Bisley Valley Nature Reserve
Bisley Valley Nature Reserve is listed among the things to do in the city, and it suits visitors who want a nature stop beyond the built-up centre.
Treat it as a separate outing from the city-centre sights and the botanical garden, and pair it with whichever of those you have not yet seen rather than trying to fit all three into one afternoon.
8. Natal Society Library
The Natal Society Library sits behind the City Hall and has a large children's wing, making it a straightforward add-on for families.
Since it is directly behind the City Hall, visit it in the same stop rather than as a destination in its own right.
9. Comrades Marathon
Every year in May the Comrades Marathon is held, with the course alternating between the "up" run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg and the "down" run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. The distance varies slightly from year to year but is approximately 89 km.
If your visit falls in May, check which direction the race is running that year, as it determines whether the city is the finish or the start. Book accommodation early if you plan to be in town for it.
10. Nightlife in the CBD and beyond
Nightlife in Pietermaritzburg is limited, with two or three clubs dominating the scene. Crowded House in the CBD, fairly near the City Hall, is one of the most popular and plays pop and dance music, while Exclusive Lounge nearby plays kwaito and house music.
Franki Bananaz is a cocktail bar in Armitage Road popular with the twenties set. For something more alternative, the Red Door in Quarry Road, off Victoria Road, plays alternative rock and punk on Friday nights, with live folk and rock on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
11. Pubs and sports clubs
The Stagecoach, near the university, has a pub atmosphere that the sources single out. Caffe Vacca Matta at the Golden Horse Casino in Scottsville takes a more upmarket approach, serving as a restaurant in the afternoon and early evening before becoming a nightclub later on.
Dress at Vacca Matta tends to be slightly more formal, with collared shirts and no jeans or takkies. The minimum age varies, so phone in advance before you go.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start in the city centre on Chief Albert Luthuli St. Visit the Pietermaritzburg City Hall, then step behind it to the Natal Society Library. Walk to the Gandhi statue on Church Street, then spend time at the Tatham Art Gallery, pausing at its second-floor coffee shop.
Afternoon: Head to the Voortrekker / Msunduzi Museum on Langalibalele St for the region's cultural and Great Trek history. If time allows, drive out to Queen Elizabeth Park on the hills above the city for a walk among zebra and buck, keeping your food away from the monkeys.
Evening: Return to the centre. Crowded House in the CBD, fairly near the City Hall, is the straightforward choice for pop and dance music, with Exclusive Lounge nearby for kwaito and house. If you prefer a quieter evening, The Stagecoach near the university offers a pub atmosphere.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pietermaritzburg known for?
It is the capital and second-largest city in KwaZulu-Natal, and it is popularly called Maritzburg or PMB. Its Zulu name is uMgungundlovu. Among visitors, it is associated with the Gandhi statue in Church Street, the red-brick City Hall, and the annual Comrades Marathon.
When is the Comrades Marathon held?
Every year in May. The course alternates between the "up" run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg and the "down" run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, with the distance varying slightly from year to year but approximately 89 km.
Is there anywhere to walk among wildlife near the city?
Yes. Queen Elizabeth Park, up on the hills above the city, contains zebra, buck and the like. There are no leopards or dangerous creatures, so you can walk around on foot, but watch your food because monkeys may try to steal it.
Is the Tatham Art Gallery free to enter?
Yes, entrance is free. It is on Chief Albert Luthuli St, and there is a coffee shop on the second floor.
Start with the city centre on foot, add the botanical garden and Queen Elizabeth Park around it, and check the May race calendar before you book.