This capital city is sometimes over-shadowed by the big Jozi lights but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time once you’re there. Here’s a weekend option we’ve compiled:

Friday: 7pm
Start your weekend in Pretoria East with a filling meal from Die Werf. Cool off on the open decks or warm up inside near the fireplaces. The meals are country-style, lethal to the waistline but very comforting. Don’t go overboard because you’ll need space for the traditional melktert or any other dessert that catches your eye.

10pm
You might think after the indulgence that is Die Werf, the evening can’t go anywhere else! But Crossroads at the corner of Schoeman and van der Walt is next on the list. It’s not a place for hectic dancing, but who needs that after a big serving of melktert? It’s a hip, downtown place with live rock and blues bands that’ll help you wind down the evening with beautiful noise.

Saturday: 7am
Wake up early and make your way to the Tswaing Asteroid Crater in Soutpan, just 40km North of the city. This crater is believed to have been created about 200 000 years ago when an asteroid collided with the earth. What remains is the crater fenced by a ring of hills about 100m high and a kilometre wide. The name comes from the Tswana name for salt lake, which is at the bottom of the crater. Take a hike down to the lake with the Footprint Hiking Club and round off the trip with a braai.

3pm
A weekend out in Pretoria is not complete without a visit to the zoo. It’s easily divided into several sections so it’s easy to see your favourite animals. Check out the newly renovated reptile park and aquarium, they’re fast becoming the most interesting features of the zoo. There are some newly imported koala bears from Australia to look out for. If you’re too tired to walk after the Tswaing hike, take a cable car and marvel at the whole zoo from above.

6pm
It’s time for sundowners and it doesn’t matter where you are in the country, Cool Runnings never disappoints. The one in Pretoria is on Burnett Street and it’s a lively party place. They serve warm food so if you want to stay longer you can have your dinner here too.

8pm
If you like a change of scenery then dinner Pride of India on George Storar Drive is ordered. The best North Indian curries are prepared here and the ambience is set by the classy, imported Indian artefacts on the walls. If you can’t handle the heat that comes with the delicious curries, try Safrika the best African food restaurant in town.

11pm
Saturday night and it’s time for dancing. Head on down to DNA on Van der Walt Street. This popular club plays anything from funk, progressive house, garage to hard house. Stay out as long as possible because you’re waking up late tomorrow morning.

Sunday: 11am
Start the day at the famous French-style Café Patisserie. It has an easy going, happy atmosphere that’ll help you come down gently from the previous night’s wildness. There’s a bakery for take outs too, if you want a quick bite and a walk.

12pm
Before you leave, bag a few flea market spoils at Hatfield Flea market. There’s a wide variety of art to choose from; metal work, colourful doormats, and fine art. All of it is really affordable. Just don’t go overboard because it might not all fit in when you get back home.