Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa, Africa

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa, Africa

Centurion, earlier called Verwoerdburg, is a town in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, situated around 55 km north of Johannesburg and 15 km south of Pretoria. Administratively, Centurion comes under the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and geographically, Centurion is located between 25°51′37″ S latitude and 28°11′22″ E longitude. Centurion also houses South African Air Force Museum as a part of the Swartkop Air Force Base.

Centurion was the site of one of the prominent international cricket stadiums of the country, SuperSport Park, which witnessed the matches of many world tournaments, including 2003 Cricket World Cup and 2007 ICC World Twenty20.

History of Centurion:

Relics excavated at the World Heritage Site, Sterkfontein Caves, not more than 50 km from Centurion, have shown that the areas around Centurion was inhabited by the hominids around 2 to 3 million years ago. The first modern human settlement in Centurion by the black African communities dates back to 1200 AD. Before getting its current name in 1995, Centurion was called by the name of Verwoerdburg and before that by the name Lyttelton.

How to get Centurion?

Centurion is served by O.R. Tambo International Airport with flights to all the prominent cities in the globe, including Paris, New York, London, Frankfurt and Mumbai. The distance of 50 km from the airport to Centurion can be easily crossed by train or bus or airport taxi or rental car.

Centurion is connected to Johannesburg and Pretoria by train, served by Gautrain. To hire a car, visitors can consider First Car Rental in the city.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Centurion:

Centurion houses an art gallery that is located at Cnr Cantonments Rd and Unie Avenue, open for visitors from 10AM to 5PM (Monday-Friday). Centurion Mall is famous for shopping in Centurion, while Firkin Restaurant is recommended for dining.

Things to do in Centurion:

Visiting shopping malls
Flight of the Eagle Safaris & Tours
Visiting museums and cricket stadium

What to see in Centurion?

SuperSport Park:

Being one of the recognized international cricket stadiums of South Africa, the SuperSport Park is one of the identities of Centurion, having a capacity of around 22,000 spectators. Including 2003 Cricket World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy 2009, the stadium has hosted many world cricket tournaments.

Air Force Base Swartkop:

The Air Force Base Swartkop is home to one of the three units of the South African Air Force Museum. It is the oldest air force base of South Africa, home to the South African Air Force Memorial that commemorates the SAAF personnel and other people of the country who died during the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

South African Air Force Museum:

The South African Air Force Museum holds three branches, located in Centurion, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Centurion’s unit is located at Swartkop Air Force Base, describing the history of the South African Air Force with exhibitions of aircraft materials.

Irene Village Mall:

Situated at Nellmapius Drive & Van Ryneveld Avenue in Cornwall Hill, the Irene Village Mall is a lovely and nicely designed mall, featuring restaurants, cafes, modern shops, kids playing options and fountain as well. It is a perfect spot for entire family in Centurion.

Centurion Mall:

Constructed in 1983-84, the Centurion Mall is the 2^nd biggest mall in Tshwane metropolitan area, spanning over an area of 105,000 square meters. This mall offers everything for visitors including dining, entertainment, fashion, fun and gaming, with total of 200 stores and restaurants.

Other places of interest in Centurion include:

Bayete Day Spa
Acrobranch
Smuts House Museum
Centurion Art Gallery

When to visit Centurion?

The climate of Centurion is relatively similar to that of nearby Johannesburg and Pretoria, dry and sunny winters and warm and hot summers. The best time to visit Centurion is from May to August.

Where to stay in Centurion?

Centurion is a city for all types of travelers as it houses all sorts of tourist favor accommodation options, including guest houses and lodges, other than award winning deluxe hotels. Some recommended hotels in Centurion include: