Location: Johannesburg
Top Things to do in Johannesburg
What to do and see in Johannesburg, Gauteng: The Best Sights & Landmarks
Johannesburg is the place to go to mix big-city culture, shopping, dining and nightlife with outdoor adventures, up-close wildlife encounters and visits to historical sites. Explore caves and nature reserves, or visit a traditional village by day, then enjoy dinner at a hip cafe or five-star restaurant. And if you're a shopper, bring an extra, empty suitcase. With malls, open-air markets and places that blend the two, you'll find plenty of unique souvenirs.
Restaurants in Johannesburg
1. Cycle Tour of Soweto including Lunch
2. Standard Bank Ferreira Mine Stope
3. Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
The JHGC, in partnership with the City of Johannesburg, moved into its iconic new building of memory, education and lessons for humanity in mid-2016 and officially opened to the public in March 2019, with the completion of its Permanent Exhibition. The Centre explores the history of the Holocaust and genocide in the 20th century.
Reviewed By Giselle1106 - Pasadena, United States
One of the wonderful volunteers took the time to guide me through this great museum and explain the unique features of the architecture devised by listening to the wishes of the survivors. The visit is extremely moving. Since the museum aims to be educational there is no required entrance fee. Voluntary contributions are gladly accepted. Visiting this museum should be a must for everybody interested in human history and its aberrations.
4. Hector Pieterson Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 335 reviews
The 1976 photograph of slain thirteen-year old Hector Pieterson, carried by a friend while his grieving sister runs alongside, is a chilling reminder that South African was changed thereafter.
Reviewed By 951lucindat
The memorial and what it represents tugs at the heart. You need a local to truly explain the significance of this memorial and Soweto uprising. Hector's sister also works at the memorial. If you visit Robben Island you will also meet one of the guides that was also arrested as part of the uprising and served time as a prisoner at Robben Island.
5. South Western Townships
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 977 reviews
Reviewed By Steve-CdnTravelLover - Toronto, Canada
Our Canadian friends thought we were reckless to visit Johannesburg. Most land there on their way to safaris, stay at an airport hotel, pop in to Jo’burg and Soweto for a 2-3 hour driving tour - and leave the next morning. And when we told them that we were planning to visit Soweto they were convinced that we were really crazy. Johannesburg turned out to be quite manageable if you take sensible precautions, avoid rough areas like the Central Business District. We made our way around by Uber, saw some really interesting sites and museums. The people were warm and friendly. We spent a delightful 4 hours on a walking tour in Soweto with Lebo’s Soweto Bicycle Tours. It was fascinating to learn about Soweto. Those of us of a certain age in the West grew up watching the news with Soweto as the epi-centre of the resistance to Apartheid. I didn’t want to miss it on our once-in-a-lifetime visit to Southern Africa. We had no idea that it was so big - over 2 million people. It’s divided into 41 districts with large differences between them. The area around Nelson Mandela’s old house is known as “Beverly Hills” because of the nice houses there. We felt safe and welcome everywhere we went.
6. Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,566 reviews
Nowhere can the story of South Africa's turbulent past and its extraordinary transition to democracy be told as it is at Constitution Hill. Constitution Hill is a national heritage site situated in the Johannesburg CBD and is home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa- the highest court in the country on constitutional matters. Once a place of injustice and brutality, where South Africa's leading political activists, including Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, were detained, the site has been transformed into a place of solidarity and democracy, home to the Women's Gaol museum, Number Four Museum, and Old Fort Museum. Apart from its engaging and gripping exhibitions, Constitution Hill is also open to the public for guided tours and has become an important platform for Heritage, Education, and Tourism related programmes. The vast variety of programmes hosted at Constitution Hill enable us to embrace current issues, celebrate days of national significance, address matters of public interest and create a forum for public debate. With its rich history and character Constitution Hill boasts of ideal platforms to educate and learn about South Africa's story. ConHill, as it is famously known, also offers a variety of multi-purpose venues, suitable for conferencing, performances, a large array of events and for public activities and programmes.
Reviewed By Daydream62408959336
A visit to Constitutional Hill is a visit that every person should take more than once if possible, (whether a tourist or a South African). It’s a harrowing and extremely emotional tour for any visitor and not a tour that should be hurried. The tour guides are extremely informative and are to be commended on their extensive knowledge. A visit to the Concourt itself is a must and it’s wonderful to see the highest Court in the land being open to all (you can actually see the goings on through the glass panels if you don’t want to enter the Court itself). There are also many activities, concerts, art exhibitions etc which take place at the Constitutional Hill as well through the year so it comes alive again with music, laughter and joy. Every time you visit Constitutional Hill should not only be a time of quiet reflection on the past which will be tinged with sadness, but also one of hope and positiveness for the future of our wonderful country.
7. Maboneng Precinct
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 576 reviews
The Maboneng Precinct is a connected Urban neighbourhood in downtown Johannesburg. Maboneng is fast becoming Jo'burg's most unique and innovative area, offering live / work and entertainment opportunities within a fully integrated urban environment. Completed developments include Arts on Main and Main Street Life, Revolution House and more. Maboneng is also home to flagship fashion stores and diverse eateries and entertainment spaces.
Reviewed By Miller1036
I read so many mixed comments on this area, but from my experience I would advise this to be on any visitor's "must do" list. It is one of the livelier areas where you can see a lot in a very confined, pedestrian friendly area. We went there twice, and my only regret is that in both instances many of the galleries I wanted to visit in the Arts on Main section were not open. I would have liked to have seen more art galleries, but we had more than enough to do with the shops, street vendors and the many great food and drink venues. If you eat here, definitely sit where you can watch the continuous spectacle of the street life including the ongoing hustle of street photographers and the self-appointed street parking attendants. This is also a great area to buy gifts for people back home. I highly recommend the street vendors for original t-shirts, jewelry and art, and the "I was Shot in JoBurg" shop for creative works made by young people with mostly found materials or locally inspired imagery.
8. Arts on Main
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 310 reviews
Reviewed By janephere - Benjamin, United States
Enjoyed a great Sunday afternoon eating, drinking and buying all kinds of local crafts. This is a must visit if you are looking for a fun Sunday morning or afternoon. The Market on Main closes at 4:30 but there are plenty of other places in the neighborhood that stay open later.
9. Nelson Mandela Foundation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
The Nelson Mandela Foundation houses the last office of President Nelson Mandela which forms part of an exhibition documenting his life. The Exhibition entitled the Life and Times of Nelson Mandela includes a short video documenting his life and a range of artefacts and documents from his private archive.The jackal kaross that he wore during his 1962 court appearance is a special feature and is on loan from Winnie Madikizela- Mandela The temporary exhibition space is occupied by various exhibitions throughout the year.The exhibitions responds to contemporary issues.
10. Gold Mining Statue
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