Johannesburg, South Africa: travel guide
Gold-rush city of the Apartheid Museum, Soweto and street art
South Africa's largest city and economic hub, Johannesburg—known locally as "Joburg" or "Jozi"—offers vibrant contrasts: from the poignant Apartheid Museum to hip Maboneng and Sandton's world-class malls.
About Johannesburg
Johannesburg, known locally as Joburg or Jozi, grew from a gold-mining camp into a major city, and its story is told in its museums and neighbourhoods. The Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill give essential context for modern South Africa.
Soweto is the most rewarding day out, with Vilakazi Street, once home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners, and a handful of other memorials and local restaurants. Maboneng, a revived inner-city district of galleries, cafes and markets, offers a creative counterpoint, while Gold Reef City is a theme park built around the city's mining past and Zoo Lake is a pleasant green space.
Johannesburg suits travellers who want to understand the country rather than simply relax. The winter months, May to September, bring clear sunny days and cold nights, and summer brings afternoon thunderstorms.
- Country
- South Africa
- Currency
- ZAR
- Time zone
- Africa/Johannesburg
- Nearest airport
- JNB
Last updated
Top places to visit in Johannesburg
Apartheid Museum Johannesburg
history museum · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Chronicles the rise and fall of apartheid through harrowing film footage, photographs, and artefacts. One of the most important museums on the continent — a must-visit to understand modern South Africa.
Soweto Township & Vilakazi Street
township · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
South Africa's most famous township — home to both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu and birthplace of the 1976 Uprising. Guided tours cover Vilakazi Street, Walter Sisulu Square, and Hector Pieterson Museum.
Maboneng Precinct Johannesburg
arts district · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Johannesburg's vibrant arts and culture precinct. Fox Street is lined with galleries, coffee shops, and street food. The Sunday Market at Arts on Main is a Joburg institution.
Gold Reef City Theme Park
Activity · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate
South Africa's biggest theme park on a 19th-century gold mine. Includes thrill rides, a 200-m mine descent, and live entertainment.
Constitution Hill
Heritage · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Former prison complex now housing the Constitutional Court. The Old Fort, Number Four, and Women's Jail document apartheid through powerful exhibitions.
Zoo Lake Park & Johannesburg Zoo
Nature · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Lush public park with a boating lake, Sunday art market, and adjacent zoo. Popular family and picnic destination.
Things to do
- Apartheid Museum Self-Guided Visit Cultural · 3.5 h · from ZAR 38 per person
- Full-Day Soweto Heritage Tour Cultural · 7 h · from ZAR 170 per person
- Gold Reef City Casino & Theme Park Adventure · 5 h · from ZAR 50 per person
- Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve Day Visit Nature · 5 h · from ZAR 83 per person
Day trips and tours
- Soweto & Apartheid History Full-Day Tour 9 h · from ZAR 240
- Cradle of Humankind & Sterkfontein Caves Day Trip 8 h · from ZAR 270
- Joburg Art, Street Food & Maboneng Precinct Tour 5 h · from ZAR 130
Where to stay in Johannesburg
- Sandton Central about ZAR 4,800 per night
Johannesburg's financial and lifestyle hub. Highest concentration of 5-star hotels, Sandton City mall, and the Gautrain station.
- Rosebank about ZAR 2,800 per night
Cosmopolitan suburb between Sandton and the city. Excellent restaurants, the Rooftop Market, and good Gautrain access.
- Maboneng Precinct about ZAR 1,800 per night
Johannesburg's creative regeneration district. Boutique hotels, galleries, Markets on Main, and street art.
Hotels
- Four Seasons The Westcliff Johannesburg 5-star · ZAR 5,000 to ZAR 11,000 per night
- Curiocity Backpackers Johannesburg 2-star · ZAR 300 to ZAR 900 per night
- Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Melrose Johannesburg 3-star · ZAR 1,100 to ZAR 1,800 per night
- Protea Hotel Johannesburg Wanderers 4-star · ZAR 1,200 to ZAR 2,800 per night
Where to eat
- Sakhumzi Restaurant Soweto south african, traditional, zulu · about ZAR 250 per person
- The Marble Joburg steakhouse, south african, contemporary · about ZAR 700 per person
- Arts on Main Sunday Market street food, south african, international · about ZAR 150 per person
- The Butcher Shop & Grill Sandton Steakhouse · about ZAR 650 per person
- Salvation Cafe Melville contemporary, south african, brunch · about ZAR 280 per person
- Moyo Zoo Lake Johannesburg African Fusion · about ZAR 280 per person
Getting to Johannesburg
Airport: Johannesburg (JNB), Johannesburg (HLA)
How visitors arrive in Johannesburg
- Flight into O.R. Tambo By air from London · common
O.R. Tambo is the main airport and a regional hub with many flights from international hubs. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Coach or drive on the N1, N3, N4 By road from Pretoria · common
Highways converge from Cape Town, Durban and Kruger; long-distance buses arrive at Park Station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Gautrain from Pretoria or the airport By train from Pretoria · possible
The Gautrain links the airport, Sandton and Pretoria; long-distance rail is limited. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Gautrain from OR Tambo
The Gautrain links OR Tambo International with Sandton and onward. Do not walk to the nearby Rhodesfield station, which the guide calls unsafe. Source: bombela.com
- Licensed metered taxi
Use the airport's accredited metered taxi services, arranged through the terminal information desk. Avoid anyone who approaches you to offer a taxi inside the terminal. Source: airports.co.za
- Uber or Bolt
Both ride-hail apps are named as options for airport trips, especially for groups. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Ride Hail
- Shared Taxi main way to get around
Minibus taxis are an essential form of transport for most of the population in Johannesburg.
- Train
The Gautrain rail line links Johannesburg, Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport, with stops including Sandton, Midrand and Centurion.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
ATM Card Skimming
Johannesburg CBD and OR Tambo Airport ATMs
A device installed on the ATM slot copies your card data while a person nearby shoulder-surfs your PIN.
How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside bank branches during opening hours. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN. Check for loose card slot attachments before inserting your card.
Taxi Kidnapping (Bogus Taxi)
OR Tambo Airport parking areas and CBD
Fake Uber drivers or unlicensed taxis convince tourists to get in. The vehicle is taken to an isolated area for robbery.
How to avoid it: Always verify Uber driver name, plate number, and photo inside the app before entering. Never accept rides from drivers who approach you in the terminal.
Friendship Bracelet Hustle
Neighbourgoods Market, Maboneng
Someone places a "free" bracelet on your wrist before you can object, then demands payment. Refusing leads to aggressive behaviour.
How to avoid it: Decline politely and firmly. Do not let strangers tie anything on you. Walk away without engaging.
Best time to visit Johannesburg
- Jan 28°C
- Feb 28°C
- Mar 27°C
- Apr 24°C
- May 22°C
- Jun 19°C
- Jul 19°C
- Aug 22°C
- Sep 27°C
- Oct 28°C
- Nov 28°C
- Dec 28°C
More in South Africa
Frequently asked questions about Johannesburg
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Johannesburg?
- The highest-rated places in our Johannesburg guide are Apartheid Museum Johannesburg, Soweto Township & Vilakazi Street, Maboneng Precinct Johannesburg.
- Where should I stay in Johannesburg?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Johannesburg: Sandton Central, Rosebank, Maboneng Precinct.
- How do I get around Johannesburg?
- Ways to get around Johannesburg covered in our guide: Ride-hailing app, Shared taxi, Train, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Johannesburg?
- Scams reported to us for Johannesburg include ATM Card Skimming; Taxi Kidnapping (Bogus Taxi); Friendship Bracelet Hustle. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Johannesburg?
- Average daytime highs in Johannesburg run from 19°C in Jun to 28°C in Jan.
- Which airport is nearest to Johannesburg?
- The nearest airport to Johannesburg has the code JNB.