Johannesburg Travel Guide

Super useful & totally free travel guides, written by locals who love Johannesburg, South Africa.

Johannesburg’s urban jungle has an amazing energy and culture.

Why We Love Johannesburg: Johannesburg is a destination that beckons to people around the world, and there’s no doubt as to why. The city has more icons (both city and natural alike) than you can count, including the Apartheid Museum, the famous restaurants and nightlife, and breathtaking urban terrain.

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🏙 Places to Visit in Johannesburg

As one of Africa’s top destinations, Johannesburg offers incredible diversity. Here are some iconic places to visit:

Apartheid Museum – Learn about South Africa’s apartheid history at this impactful museum.
Constitution Hill – Tour the former prison where Nelson Mandela and others were held.
Vilakazi Street – Walk this lively, historic street which was home to Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.
Lion Park – Get up close to incredible wildlife like lions, cheetahs and rhinos.
Soweto – Take a guided tour through the iconic township. Visit the Mandela House Museum.
Sandton City – Shop and dine at this huge upscale mall in Johannesburg’s banking district.
Carlton Centre – Enjoy panoramic views from the observation deck atop this skyscraper.

✨ Best Things To Do in Johannesburg

With superb dining and nightlife, history and nature, Johannesburg offers endless things to see and do. Here are some top experiences:

Learn about Apartheid’s impact at the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill.
Find street art and trendy cafes in the cool Maboneng Precinct.
See big cats up close on a guided safari drive through the Lion Park.
Try traditional African cuisine and lively jazz clubs in historic Vilakazi Street.
Marvel at prehistoric cave paintings in the Cradle of Humankind.
Shop for crafts and souvenirs at the Rosebank Rooftop Market.
Take an enlightening tour through Soweto to see iconic sites.
Party until sunrise at Melville’s lively cocktail bars and clubs.

🗺 Where to Stay in Johannesburg

With great options across budgets, here are some top areas to stay in Joburg:

Sandton – Upscale area with luxury hotels, restaurants and shopping malls.
Rosebank – Lively central location with excellent dining, nightlife and shopping.
Melville – Trendy area with cafes and bars best suited to young travelers.
Braamfontein – Urban district with student vibe and budget lodging options.
Maboneng – Revitalized hip neighborhood full of cafes, galleries and street art.

🛎 Best Hotels in Johannesburg

Johannesburg boasts amazing hotel options. Here are some top luxury stays:

Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa – Elegant boutique hotel in Sandhurst with a top spa.
The Peech Hotel – Stylish boutique hotel set in lush gardens in Melrose.
54 on Bath – Apartment hotel in Rosebank offering amazing views, dining and amenities.
AtholPlace Hotel – Opulent hotel set in a tranquil location in Atholl.
One&Only Cape Town – Urban chic hotel in Maboneng with a rooftop pool and bar.

🚗 Best Johannesburg Road Trips & Day Trips

With awesome scenery nearby, road tripping is a great way to see more:

Cradle of Humankind – See fascinating cave formations with ancient hominid fossils.
Soweto – Take a guided tour through this iconic township where Mandela lived.
Sun City – Visit the huge entertainment resort offering golf, casinos and waterpark fun.
Lion Park – Drive 30 minutes to get up close to incredible wildlife like lions and cheetahs.
Pretoria – South Africa’s administrative capital featuring grand Union Buildings and gardens.

🗓 Best Time to Visit Johannesburg

🌞 Summer (Nov-Feb) – Warmest weather but also the rainy season. Peak tourist season with higher prices.
🍃 Fall (March-May) – Mild temps and greener landscapes as rains taper off. Good time for wildlife viewing.
🌧️ Winter (June-Aug) – Dry season with cooler weather. Thinner crowds make for good deals.
🍁 Spring (Sept-Oct) – Pleasant weather as things bloom. Another nice shoulder season for value.

🚌 Getting Around Johannesburg

✈️ OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) is 19 km (12 miles) from the city center.
🚗 Renting a car provides flexibility for accessing attractions and day trips. Use reputable agencies.
🚇 The Gautrain links the airport to Sandton and downtown. Metrobus and Rea Vaya also serve the area.
🚕 Uber and official metered taxis like Rose Taxis are recommended, not unmarked cabs.
🚲 Cycling is growing in popularity. Public bike shares are available in some areas like Sandton.

👉 Johannesburg Travel Tips & Advice

💰 Only withdraw cash from ATMs inside malls or banks. Carry minimal cash and avoid flashing valuables.
🚗 Keep car doors locked and windows up when driving. Only park in secure, reputable lots.
🏚️ Stick to busy, touristy streets like Vilakazi Street. Avoid deserted inner-city areas, especially at night.
👣 Wear comfortable walking shoes as Joburg has a lot of pedestrian areas best explored on foot like Maboneng.
🦁 View wildlife only through accredited operators like Lion Park. Do not try to interact with animals on your own.

🧳 What to Pack for Johannesburg

🧥 Light layers like sweaters and jackets for Johannesburg’s quickly changing temps
👟 Comfy walking shoes like sneakers to explore neighbourhoods on foot
🩳 Casual clothes like T-shirts, shorts and jeans
💍 Leave expensive jewellery and watches at home
📱 Backup power bank to recharge devices
💦 Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated
🧴 Sunscreen, though Joburg is cooler than Cape Town

🤓 Johannesburg Facts & Stats

📈 Population – 5.5 million
🌇 Neighborhoods – Sandton, Rosebank, Melville, Braamfontein, Maboneng
🕰 Time zone – South Africa Standard Time (UTC+2)
🛬 Main airport – O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
🏢 Tallest building – Carlton Centre – 222 m (728 ft)
⛪ Founded – 1886
🗣 Languages – English, Afrikaans, Zulu

💵 Johannesburg Costs & Budgeting

🛏 Hostel dorm – 180-300 ZAR ($10-$17 USD) per night
🏨 Mid-range hotel – 1000-2000 ZAR ($55-$110 USD) per night
🍽 Street food meal – 20-40 ZAR ($1-$2 USD)
🥡 Inexpensive restaurant meal – 80-150 ZAR ($5-$8 USD)
🚕 Uber or taxi – 10-25 ZAR per km ($0.50-$1.25 USD per mi)
🚇 Metrobus ride – 8-15 ZAR ($0.40-$0.80 USD)

FAQs About Visiting Johannesburg

Is Johannesburg safe for tourists?

Johannesburg has a reputation for crime, but the main tourist areas are quite safe if you take precautions like avoiding deserted areas and flashing valuables. Stick to reputable transportation and tours. Know which neighbourhoods to avoid.

Are there COVID travel restrictions in Johannesburg?

South Africa lifted all COVID-related travel restrictions in September 2022. There are currently (as of September 2023) no special entry requirements related to COVID-19 when visiting Johannesburg. But it’s smart to check current regulations before your trip.

How big is Johannesburg?

Johannesburg spans an area of 1,645 square kilometres (635 square miles). It’s South Africa’s largest city. The city itself is quite spread out, though the main tourist areas are more compact.

How far is Johannesburg from Cape Town?

Johannesburg is located about 870 miles (1,400 km) from Cape Town by road across South Africa. It’s about a 1.5-hour flight between the cities. The drive between them takes around 13+ hours.