Johannesburg in South Africa

Around 4.5 million people live in Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city. However, the exact number is unknown, as including the population from surrounding townships would mean the actual figure is many times higher. Approximately 1 million people live in Soweto (South Western Township of Johannesburg) alone. In this article, we will show you why visiting Johannesburg is worthwhile and which attractions and highlights you should check out. Stay for at least 2 nights after your arrival in South Africa to explore the metropolis before heading towards Kruger National Park, Panorama Route, or Pilanesberg.

Johannesburg is lovingly referred to by locals as "Jozi", "Joburg" (by whites), or "e'Goli" (City of Gold by black residents).

Johannesburg's boom began in 1886 when gold was discovered in Witwatersrand. After the gold mines were exhausted, Joburg gradually developed into South Africa's financial center. However, Johannesburg was never the capital. Many tourists mistakenly believe this.

Even though apartheid has long since ended, the problems are still visible everywhere. I've been to Johannesburg three times and really like the city, especially Soweto (South Western Township) and the people living there!

Enjoy reading our Johannesburg guide filled with useful tips for visiting the attractions so that you are well-prepared for your trip.

You should not miss the following top attractions in Johannesburg.

The most popular places and top attractions include these ten. This does not automatically mean that they will be highlights for you as well. These are simply the classics that every visitor in Johannesburg should see at least once.

This video was created during our last visit to Johannesburg. It shows places like the Apartheid Museum, riding the red hop-on hop-off bus, Maboneng, the view from the hotel and Carlton Center, a visit to Constitution Hill, Braamfontein, and other impressions from Johannesburg.

The unofficial capital of South Africa is often cited as one of the world's most dangerous cities. Tourists would rush out of the city after arriving at the airport to visit other regions (mainly the Kruger National Park).

I would visit Johannesburg again. Here, South Africa feels more authentic than in Cape Town or along the Garden Route. When traveling, I don't just want to see the polished and pretty parts; I want to get to know the people and the culture better. This is nowhere better than here!

Still, it feels strange to me to see the red hop-on hop-off buses driving around Johannesburg. I also took one of these buses for a day during my last trip. The tour is ideal for getting an initial overview. (Tickets are available here for just 15 Euros)

The buses reach all the main attractions in the city, as they are unfortunately a bit spread out.

Johannesburg offers several attractions and great sites that you should check out.

We explored the CBD (Central Business District), Hillbrow, and Newtown Precinct. Also, we visited Maboneng and of course Soweto.

Here are my top highlights that you should see while visiting Johannesburg:

A visit to the Apartheid Museum is a must and a top attraction in Johannesburg. The museum is very modern and really well-made. I have been here twice and discovered new things each time.

Right at the beginning, you receive different tickets that determine your "racial classification": "White" and "Non-White". There are two entrances for this purpose. I used the Non-White entrance, while Dom took the one for Whites.

This way, we can personally feel what racial segregation must have felt like. As a "Non-White", I experienced the restrictions first-hand.

You leave the museum with a positive feeling: the exhibition ends with the elections of 1994 when Nelson Mandela was elected as South Africa's first black president.

We spend nearly three hours in the museum and the special exhibition about Nelson Mandela. You could easily stay longer.

At Constitution Hill, you can visit the prison where Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were held as prisoners for some time.

We book the short tour (1 hour) and are shown around. It's shocking how people were held captive due to their skin color.

The former fort that later became a prison, is now part of the complex of South Africa's Constitutional Court. You can't understand Johannesburg's history better than here on the edge of downtown at Constitution Hill.

The old fort was built in 1893. This is where Paul Kruger once barricaded himself during the South African War (the very war after which Kruger National Park is named). Later, the complex was converted first into a prison for white inmates only. Nelson Mandela was briefly the only black prisoner here. Later, new buildings for black prisoners were added. Another notable guest in the notorious Block 4 was.

Today, you can visit the prisons, including the women's prison where Winnie Mandela was held, as well as the modern constitutional building of the court. The light-filled building serves not only as a Supreme Court but also as a gallery for South Africa's contemporary art (on the lower floor). Architecturally, it's a stunning building. The court is built around parts of the old prison. The foyer is supported by slanted columns that reflect the trees under which villagers traditionally gather to hold council. A must-see for anyone traveling to South Africa.

The hipster and student district is colorful. It is adorned with street art and frequented by students. Here you will find some good accommodations, small cafés, restaurants, and especially on Saturdays, the Neighbourgoods Market. The branch known to everyone from Cape Town is a huge attraction here too.

On my second and third visits to Johannesburg, we stayed in Maboneng. This district has been "revived" for about 9 years and is turning more and more into the hipster district of Johannesburg. However, it is still in the making.

Locals lovingly refer to this young, up-and-coming area in downtown Johannesburg as 'Place of Light'.

Here you will find many great bars, cafés, restaurants, galleries, shops, and also street art with plenty of graffiti. Maboneng is the perfect place from which to explore Johannesburg.

With Jo, we joined this graffiti tour in the former no-go area Maboneng, which is now transforming into a hipster district. The Maboneng Precinct, and thus Johannesburg, is the street art capital of South Africa - and according to Jo, it's "still in its infancy".

The probably most famous artist who painted his artwork on the facade here is RAW. Jo seems unfamiliar with the name since she doesn't react to my enthusiasm. She mainly shows us graffiti by locals. We enjoy it, and time flies too quickly.

You can visit the tallest building in Africa at 320 meters for about 2 Euros and enjoy the view of Johannesburg!

As part of the hop-on hop-off tour, you can visit the Carlton Center with its observation deck. We recommend this as the elevator and admission are not easy to find.

When you visit the viewpoint with the red sightseeing bus, two guides accompany you all the way up and back to the bus. Ideal for those who are concerned about their safety.

Note: The Carlton Towers have been sold, but there is a notice on the website that you can only visit the viewpoint upon request, as the building itself has been closed since Covid. With the red sightseeing bus (my tip), you can get up, as a guide is already waiting at the stop to safely take you up.

During my first visit, I stayed in Soweto, the largest township in South Africa. While one part of Soweto is becoming more touristy, one should not be deceived: Even three years after my first visit, there are still areas without electricity and running water.

The poverty and crime rate are often high in these neighborhoods. It is said to be as high (or higher) than in the favelas of Brazil. It's not safe to wander around alone here at every corner. We didn't either; on our first visit, we spent a night at Soweto Backpackers and truly enjoyed the hospitality of the residents.

On the second visit, although we stayed in Maboneng, we spent an entire day with Local Guide Zandile exploring Soweto.

-> Book a tour with Zandile (just contact her via Facebook).

People live closely packed in shacks, especially in Kliptown (we visited a "house" where 24 people live - I underestimated this with my estimation of 10 people). I wish everyone could see how happy these people are despite their conditions.

Nonetheless, there is also an area with villas, where Winnie Mandela lives behind a high wall. Poverty and wealth are often just a stone's throw apart here.

Especially the children are incredible. During a walk with Local Guide Vuzi through one of the poorest areas of Soweto (Kliptown), we visited a preschool. The kids immediately beamed with joy and just wanted to hug us or give us high-fives in the typical "Jambo" Soweto manner.

The most important attractions and places related to apartheid are located around Vilakazi Street. The only street in the world where two Nobel Prize winners lived: Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Tutu's house is still privately owned.

Other attractions include Walter Sisulu Square, the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, and a small bar around the corner from Vilakazi Street that is delightfully quiet. Sometimes, live musicians entertain the guests here. Tourists rarely come here. If they do, it's usually in groups with bike tours from Lebo's Backpackers, or returning visitors like me.

Locals like Vuzi organize tours through their neighborhoods to financially support and build these preschools.

Because often, there is no help coming from the government. It's alarming that on the other side of the street, there is a luxury hotel (built for the World Cup). Poverty and wealth are very closely intertwined here.

We also visited a genuine healer. She read from her bones, dice, and coins for us after calling upon our ancestors. It was a very interesting experience! Definitely authentic and not a tourist trap. This visit was also organized with Zandile.

Just before heading back, we wanted to quickly grab a beer at a typical Soweto bar. However, it's not that simple, because as a white person, one is often not welcome. So we ended up sitting with locals at the table and answering their curious questions.

It was a lot of fun. By the way, the locals here said I was crazy for having been to a Cape Flat (a township in Cape Town). They believed one would get shot there.

It's funny because many foreigners consider Soweto one of the most dangerous places in the world.

On the way to or from the city to Soweto, you can stop briefly at the FNB Stadium. Known as "Soccer City", this stadium is the largest football stadium in Africa (94,500 seats). It hosted the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The home games here are played by the Kaizer Chiefs, with the Orlando Pirates as their main competitors.

The Cradle of Humankind is located about 50 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg. This UNESCO World Heritage site and the exhibition "Long Way to Freedom" is a wonderfully multimedia exhibition. The landscape is dotted with underground limestone caves that have given rise to some of the most important evolutionary fossil treasures. These finds led to the 'Out of Africa' theory, suggesting that most human ancestors originated from a single place: Africa.

In the Sterkfontein Caves, remains of more than 500 hominids (the Hominidae family includes modern humans and their direct ancestors) were found. The first fossil finds occurred back in the 1890s when the caves were dynamited for limestone extraction, which was needed for extracting gold discovered in 1886 at Witwatersrand. It's a worthwhile place to visit.

No one goes to South Africa to visit an amusement park. The park, located near the Apartheid Museum, along with its casino, presents a striking contrast to the rest of Johannesburg. Save your time and spend it meaningfully on the highlights mentioned above.

For special tours, I always check out Airbnb Experiences on the website. You can find really great experiences with locals that you can book. I especially recommend this platform for South Africa.

Otherwise, I always check Get Your Guide to pre-book and print or load tickets for popular attractions.

We can recommend these tours:

Have you only a short time in Johannesburg? Then book a ticket with the red sightseeing bus. This bus covers all the important attractions in Johannesburg. There's also an audio commentary in German that tells you everything about the city's history.

We also took this ride once and would recommend it to everyone for a good impression (and you don't need a car).

We undertook a bike tour at an astonishing 36° Celsius to learn about different neighborhoods in Soweto. We were surprised to see such varying living conditions.

From pretty little row houses to corrugated iron shacks without their own water supply and electricity, there is everything! You must experience and visit it!

You can book the tours directly at Lebo's Backpackers (620 Rand). If you stay over like us, you can get the tour at a lower price (540 Rand).

On a tour through Soweto (South Western Townships), you will feel most acutely what apartheid meant and experience the history nowhere better and more clearly than here.

About 4 million people live here. Life is bustling everywhere; loud music can be heard, and people are proud of their community.

Through Zandile (aahaah.co.za), who was born and raised in Soweto, you can book tours and activities. I was really eager to visit a healer, take a tour through Kliptown, and revisit all the important apartheid sites.

Zandile also knew in Johannesburg where to find the prettiest places and best cafés and restaurants.

-> Book a tour with Zandile

For lunch, you should eat like the locals do: Typical Shisa Nyama with pap (maize porridge), grilled meat, chakalaka sauce, vegetables, and salad. The best place to enjoy this is at Chaf Pozi at the foot of the famous Orlando Tower.

The visit to the healer was by far the most interesting encounter in South Africa. Only after we wrote down the names of our parents in a book did she call our ancestors. She supposedly communicated with them and then dumped her bag full of bones, coins, and dice on her rug. She then told us about our past, present, and future.

Some things were accurate, while some were completely off We certainly had a great time at this special event.

Since the healer did not have business cards on hand (and only scribbled a strange phone number for me), Zandile asked us to let you know that you want to book a visit with the healer through her. As mentioned, Zandile grew up in Soweto and knows her way around the alleyways perfectly.

You can do this here:

-> Book a tour with Zandile

The Orlando Towers have always been a landmark in Soweto. The once beautifully painted water towers have now been replaced with advertisements on the last visit. How sad.

Nevertheless, you should come here. Not only to eat or enjoy a drink at Chaf Pozi (be sure to come here for food or fun) at the foot of the towers, but also to do bungee jumping, free falling, or simply to go up to the observation deck.

It's worth it just for the view, since bungee jumping only occurs on Thursdays and would not be for me.

We went with Zandile to a typical pub in Soweto. We actually just wanted to grab a quick beer. But we quickly realized that this was not going to happen, because as white people, we stood out.

When we entered, we greeted the surprised group with a friendly "Hello" and soon found ourselves at a table with locals who were celebrating their after-work drinks.

By the way, the beer bottles here are made larger on purpose, as you buy one to share with friends. Not everyone can afford their own beer. We invited the nice guys and went out of the pub 2-3 hours later!

On my first visit, we were at another township pub. It is just around the corner from Vilakazi Street. You can see the musicians playing in the pub in the video (at the end of this article). I'm trying to recall what it was called, as I've returned to that place again on my second visit.

Argentinian food at its finest can be found at Che! Empanadas, ceviche, and tapas for starters and something meaty for the main course. The meat comes from the Midlands in KwaZulu-Natal. The meat is top-notch and complemented by a large selection of wines.

For dessert, we recommend Flan del Rio de la Pata. The specialty of the kitchen with dulce de leche!

You must make a reservation in advance! Note: Che moved from Maboneng to Parkwood in 2020. The new location is wonderful and an ideal spot for a cozy evening! Take an Uber like we did.

The restaurant is one of the coziest in Johannesburg. Here, you can sit outside or inside in comfort. The area is safe, so you can check out the stores along the street after dinner.

We had steaks, burgers, and wine. Everything was delicious!

Address: 40 7th & 3rd Avenues, Parktown North, Johannesburg

Directly across, you can find dessert:

The homemade ice cream from Paul is definitely worth a sweet indulgence!

Address: 4th Avenue (corner 10th Street) Parkhurst, Sandton, 2193

The Living Room is an oasis after my taste: a stylishly decorated rooftop bar with a large terrace, a great view of Johannesburg, often live music, and great food.

The best place to watch the sunset and wind down after an eventful day!

Address: Kruger Street 20, Maboneng Precinct

At Pata Pata, you'll find traditional South African cuisine. You should try the braai and the spare ribs.

Want to enjoy Ethiopian food along with the finest coffee from Ethiopia? Then you must go to the Little Addis Cafe.

At Origin Cafe, you can have great coffee and free WiFi for all customers. I thought the coffee was excellent, while Dom found it too bitter. Test whether it suits your taste!

Later in the evening, we came here to the rooftop for a nightcap. The local gin was amazing, and the swing on the terrace is a real attraction!

Here you can have Shisa Nyama: grilled meat with pap (maize porridge), chakalaka salad, and vegetables. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; on weekends, DJs play here and people dance. The place to be in Soweto.

Direct flights to Johannesburg are the quickest. These are currently available with South African Airways and sometimes with Lufthansa. I always look for flights on Skyscanner.

If you are already in South Africa, several budget airlines are available. We flew from Cape Town to Johannesburg with Mango for 64 Euros. It's hard to beat that price! We found and booked these flights through Skyscanner.

Hallmark House is one of the only and first hotels in Maboneng. A great modern boutique hotel with spacious urban-style rooms.

There's an on-site bar and restaurant, and parking is available in the hotel's garage. Everything is within walking distance: street art, Market on Main, Arts on Main, and great cafés, bars, and restaurants.

Check availability at booking.com

Lebo's Soweto Backpackers is located in the Pimville area of Soweto. Only 3.6 km from the Orlando Towers and 6 km from Walter Sisulu Square. The rooms have been renovated since my first visit. Back then, everything was very simple but super cozy. The locals are very nice, and we had a braai with the entire neighborhood.

It's also great that bicycle tours through Soweto are offered directly from the backpackers. This experience is impressive as you can also try the locals' home-brewed "beer" and visit neighbors. The money stays in the neighborhood, so you feel safe.

Check availability at booking.com

One major problem of Johannesburg is its bad reputation. "Katrin, how can you go to Johannesburg? People are shot there and cars are robbed?" This is the opinion of many tourists interested in South Africa. I continuously receive emails from readers asking whether I can really recommend a stop in Johannesburg and Soweto. Yes, I can!

Statistically, there are actually fewer murders in Johannesburg compared to Cape Town (especially Cape Flats).

In the past, settlers and refugees from Europe came here to find their fortune in gold; today, it's people from all over Africa. South Africa - especially Johannesburg - is the Germany of Africa. Everyone wants to go here.

You can observe this impressively in the neighborhoods of Hillbrow and Berea. Garbage piles are scattered everywhere; it's dirty. Alongside, there's this commotion that I have noticed in Kampala (Uganda) and other large cities in East Africa. This neighborhood is really "different". A South African friend's driver guides us safely through Hilltop, but one doesn't feel comfortable here.

As a white person, you stick out; poverty is very evident. If there were a no-go area for tourists, this would fit the term well. Even in the seemingly safe Maboneng neighborhood, locals advise us to please use a taxi or Uber after dark. One time we follow the advice; another time we walk the few minutes on foot.

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