Johannesburg is the number one place to be when you visit South Africa, and we can back it up.
It’s not just the most populous city in the country or the richest city in Africa by GDP and private wealth. Jo’burg is also South Africa’s economic capital, with a very rich cultural heritage, deep history, and the youngest population in the country.
Jo’burg or Jozi like it is fondly called by locals, is vibrant, buzzing and always full of life.
So if you’re searching for the best places to visit in Johannesburg, or the most loved tourist spots, consider us your local guide to discover Joburg’s must-see destinations.
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Why Johannesburg Deserves a Top Spot on Your Bucket List
This city has everything: museums, shopping malls, lush parks, and a nightlife scene that doesn’t sleep. Sandton brings the luxury vibes and is known as “Africa’s richest square mile”, Braamfontein is the creative soul with art markets and pop-ups, and Soweto holds powerful historic stories.
Most of the city’s top cultural spots are built around our dynamic past and complex, colourful history.
In short, Jo’burg checks all the boxes if you love history, nature, shopping and local cuisines.
💡Joburg is massive. Getting around with a car means not rushing for trains or waiting for tour buses. With Tarlen Carshare, you can rent cars directly from locals and skip the rental queues. Your host can even deliver the car to your hotel, Airbnb, or the airport.
Local, convenient, and all on your schedule.
Step Back in Time: Johannesburg’s Most Powerful Heritage Sites
Jozi’s history is deep and moving, and there’s no better way to understand it than by visiting these iconic heritage sites:
Apartheid Museum
One of Joburg’s premier museums, the Apartheid Museum gives you a powerful, emotional look into South Africa’s apartheid past. From newspaper clippings and photos to chilling signage, the experience is both eye-opening and unforgettable. (Pro tip: go early to avoid the crowds.)
Constitution Hill
Once a prison for political activists like Gandhi and Mandela, it’s now home to South Africa’s highest court. You can take a guided tours through the old prison blocks and barricades, then watch proceedings in the Constitutional Court.
Tours often last an hour, ending at the court with inspiring views of the city.
Hector Pieterson Museum (Soweto)
In Soweto, you’ll find a small museum dedicated to the 1976 student uprising. Named after 13-year-old Hector Pieterson, whose lifeless body was captured in an iconic photo as he was being carried away during the protests, the museum offers a powerful perspective on the events of that day and their place in South Africa’s history.
Mandela’s House (Soweto)
This humble yellow house stands on Vilakazi Street in Soweto where young Nelson Mandela and his family lived. Now a museum, it’s decorated with family photos and his childhood items. Visiting here feels personal and heartfelt.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Johannesburg
Ready for the ultimate Jozi destinations? Here are ten classic sports, each worth your time:
- Gold Reef City: A gold-rush-themed amusement park built on a former mine. Ride the roller coasters, go on an underground mine tour, or try your luck at the casino. A blast for families and thrill-seekers.
- Lion & Safari Park: Explore the wild in this magnificent wildlife reserve located only half an hour away from Jo’burg. In the Lion and Safari Park, you get to see the lions and zebras as they roam around and also get the chance to feed the giraffes, Ostriches and different antelope species roaming the park’s 1200-hectare expanse of land. Ideal for animal lovers and families.
- Maboneng Precinct. This is an urban neighborhood with galleries, artisanal shops, trendy restaurants and rooftop bars. Maboneng or “the city of light”, serves as a symbol of how creative property development could bring change to the inner city. This change was first spearheaded by Jonathan Liebmann with his company “Propertuity” which invested heavily into buying and renovating old industrial buildings.
- Botanical Garden & Zoo Lake. A huge green park perfect for a calm day. The grounds & gardens are so large, they could go on forever. Take your time to enjoy the gardens and the lake (you can even rent paddle boats on the pond). The adjoining Zoo Lake area has lawns for picnics and ducks hungry for a chunk of your bread!
- SAB World of Beer. (Good for beer fans.) Part brewpub, part museum. Explore and taste dozens of craft beers. Even non-beer-drinkers enjoy the vibe and the food.
- James Hall Transport Museum. Originally an old locomotive workshop turned transport museum, this spot is perfect for lovers of vintage cars, trams and buses. It’s a very quirky, under-the-radar experience.
- Liliesleaf Farm. This historic hideout in Rivonia served as a secret meeting place for anti-apartheid leaders in the 1960s. It’s a raw, powerful reminder of SA’s freedom journey.
- Cradle of Humankind: This is a UNESCO World Heritage site Roughly 45 km NW of Joburg. Here you can tour the Sterkfontein Caves where the oldest human fossil(prehistoric hominid fossils) were found and the Maropeng Visitor Centre with its interactive exhibits on human evolution. Go early to beat crowds. The experience here is so immersive, you can easily spend half a day here.
- Pilanesberg National Park & Sun City: A 3-hour drive northwest of Jo’burg brings you to Pilanesberg, a big game reserve where you might spot lions, elephants and rhinos on a self-drive safari. Nearby is Sun City resort (imagine a mini-Vegas with water slides and casinos). If you make it an overnight, there are great lodges you can stay in; if just a day-trip, drive down from Joburg at dawn to enjoy a full day of safari.
- Hartbeespoort Dam & Magaliesberg: An easy 1-hour drive north. Ride the cable car up to Magaliesberg mountain for the most breathtaking views. Down below is the dam where you can kayak or visit the Elephant Sanctuary, there’s also a nearby local market and snake parks.
Johannesburg Tourist Attractions for Every Mood
Johannesburg really has something for every vibe. Here are a few mood-based picks:
- Adventure & Adrenaline: Bungee-jump or zip-line at Orlando Towers. Try paintball or night-time laser tag. Or hike the Magaliesberg hills at sunrise.
- Family/Relax: The Johannesburg Zoo (pictured above) is a big hit with kids, they love the lion cubs and feeding the giraffes. Next door, Zoo Lake has pedal boats and playgrounds. For something calmer, bring a picnic to the Johannesburg Botanical Garden, fly a kite or ride bikes with the kids.
- Culture & History: After the museums we already named, try catching a theatre performance. The Market Theatre downtown often has plays or live jazz. The Wits Art Museum (WAM) has a great collection of African art. If you’re into music, Johannesburg is the birthplace of Amapiano, so you could hunt down a local jazz bar or lounge, the Orbit Jazz Club in Braamfontein is famous.
- Foodie & Nightlife: Jozi’s food scene is diverse. Try bunny chow (curry in a hollowed loaf) or local grill meats (braai). For nightlife, Sandton and Melrose Arch have trendy bars, while Maboneng has rooftop dance spots.
Planning Your Trip: Practical Tips for Visiting JHB
Getting Around
Jozi is big (expect morning/evening traffic jams). The Gautrain offers a fast link from the airport to Sandton and Pretoria, but it won’t take you everywhere. Uber/Bolt or taxis work well, but real freedom comes from renting a car. Rent cars from locals here.
Safety
Jo’burg can be as safe as any big city you visit. Stick to busy areas and well-lit streets after dark. Keep valuables out of sight. Don’t flash valuables. Drive with doors locked and park in secure spots. Locals also advise traveling in pairs or groups at night. Trustworthy drivers and car-hailing apps are plentiful.
Best Time to Visit
- The best weather is in spring (Sept–Nov) or autumn (Mar–May).
- Winters (Jun–Aug) have cool nights and cold fronts (sometimes 0°C),
- And summers (Dec–Feb) are dry and sunny but can bring afternoon thunderstorms.
Note: Jozi sits at a high elevation, which means it can be surprisingly sunny even in “winter.” Be sure to pack layers and a light rain jacket. If you’re visiting in October, you’re in for a visual treat, blooming jacarandas, you’ll love it!
Money & SIM Cards
Currency: Rand (ZAR)
Credit cards accepted almost everywhere
Get a local SIM or portable Wi-Fi at the airport — super helpful for maps & ride-hailing
What to Pack
Sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfy walking shoes
A warm layer for cooler nights
A daypack for water, camera, hand sanitizer
Learn some local lingo! (“Howzit?” means hello, “Mzansi” is South Africa)
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