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Destinations / South Africa

Johannesburg

Gold city of history, art and big energy

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Plan your trip to JohannesburgSee the top 10
4,803,262Population
English, Zulu, Sotho, AfrikaansLanguage
ZARCurrency
3 daysIdeal stay
$120-200Typical day

Johannesburg is South Africa's largest city, built on gold. It offers powerful history at the Apartheid Museum and Soweto, creative districts like Maboneng and Braamfontein, and access to Pilanesberg safaris.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. The Apartheid Museum tells the story of racial segregation in South Africa through film, photographs and personal stories. Visitors enter through separate doors assigned by race.

    3 hoursTime needed
    about $13-14Cost
    noBook ahead

    From May 2026, international adults pay R240 including the audio tour.

    Tip. Allow at least two to three hours; it is emotionally heavy.
    Official siteSee on the map

  2. Soweto is a vast township and the heart of the anti apartheid struggle. Vilakazi Street is home to the Mandela House and was home to Desmond Tutu.

    Half a dayTime needed
    about $10-11Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Mandela House charges R185 for international adults (2026).

    Tip. Go with a local guide or tour, and visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial nearby.
    Official siteSee on the map

  3. Constitution Hill is a former prison complex where Mandela and Gandhi were held, now home to the Constitutional Court. Exhibits explain the struggle for rights.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $5-10Cost
    noBook ahead

    Tour.

    Tip. Join a guided tour to see the cells and the court building.
    See on the map

  4. Maboneng is a regenerated inner city district of galleries, cafes and markets in old warehouses. It has street art and weekend events.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Visit by day and use ride share; stick to the main streets.
    See on the map

  5. The Cradle of Humankind is a UNESCO site of caves where many early hominin fossils were found. Maropeng and the Sterkfontein Caves offer exhibits and tours.

    Half a dayTime needed
    about $15-25Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Entry.

    Tip. About 1 hour by car; book cave tours in advance.
    See on the map

  6. Pilanesberg is a malaria free game reserve in an ancient volcanic crater, home to the Big Five. It suits a long day trip from the city.

    Full dayTime needed
    about $20-30Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Entry, plus tour.

    Tip. About 2.5 hours away; leave early for the best wildlife viewing.
    See on the map

  7. The Lion and Safari Park offers self drive and guided game viewing of lions, cheetahs and other animals. It is close to the city.

    Half a dayTime needed
    about $20-30Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry.

    Tip. Choose responsible activities and skip cub petting.
    See on the map

  8. Neighbourgoods Market is a weekend food and design market in Braamfontein. It draws a young, creative crowd.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Go on Saturday morning; it is a good spot for brunch.
    See on the map

  9. Gold Reef City is a theme park built on an old gold mine, with rides and a mine tour. It tells the story of the gold rush that founded the city.

    Half a dayTime needed
    about $20-30Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry.

    Tip. Book the underground mine tour for the history.
    See on the map

  10. The Johannesburg Botanical Garden lies by Emmarentia Dam, with rose gardens and lawns. It is popular for picnics and runs.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Go in spring for the roses; avoid after dark.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Short on time?

Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Joburg in three days

Add Constitution Hill and Pilanesberg.

  1. Apartheid Museum3 hours · about $13-14
  2. Soweto and Vilakazi StreetHalf a day · about $10-11
  3. Constitution Hill2 hours · about $5-10
  4. Maboneng2 hours · Free
  5. Cradle of HumankindHalf a day · about $15-25
  6. Pilanesberg National ParkFull day · about $20-30
  7. Lion and Safari ParkHalf a day · about $20-30
  8. Neighbourgoods Market2 hours · Free
  9. Gold Reef CityHalf a day · about $20-30
  10. Johannesburg Botanical Garden1.5 hours · Free
Beyond the city

Day trips

Pretoria

The capital.

34 mi · Gautrain about 40 minutes

Magaliesberg

Hills.

43 mi · Car about 1 hour

Sun City

Resort and entertainment complex.

106 mi · Car, about 2 hours each way

Dinokeng Game Reserve

Big five safari near the city.

62 mi · Car, about 1h15

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: March to May and September to November. Mild weather.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.94.75.5JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

83°F
Typical daily high
Average71°F
Rain4.8 in
About15 rainy days
Sun strength6.7 kWh/m²

Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Sep

Heritage Day

September 24

National holiday; the Apartheid Museum offers free entry for South Africans that day.

Sep

Arts Alive Festival

Usually September

City wide arts festival; check dates.

Oct

Joburg Pride

Usually October

Annual march and festival; check dates.

Year

Rand Show

Around Easter

Large consumer fair; dates vary.

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Know before you go

At a glance

2/5
Safety

The US State Department rates South Africa at Level 2 (increased caution); Johannesburg has high crime, so use ride apps and avoid walking at night.

2/5
Walkability

Walk only in specific districts in daylight.

3/5
Public transport

The Gautrain links the airport and Sandton; Uber covers the rest.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
1234

1. Sandton

$$$

Best for: first-timers, business

Secure and on the Gautrain.

2. Rosebank

$$$

Best for: couples

Galleries.

3. Melville

$$

Best for: budget

Bohemian.

4. Maboneng

$$

Best for: art lovers

Creative hub with galleries, though take care at night.

Getting there and around

Main airportOR Tambo International Airport (JNB), 16 mi from the center
To the centerThe Gautrain reaches Sandton in about 15 minutes for about R228 one way (2026); a ride app to Rosebank or Sandton takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Around townUse Uber and Bolt and the Gautrain.
Ride appsUber, Bolt
Taste it

What to eat

Braai

Barbecue.

Bunny chow

Curry in bread.

Pap

Maize porridge.

Pap and vleis

Maize porridge with meat stew.

Biltong

Dried cured meat snack.

Kota

A township street sandwich.

Good to know

PlugsType M and N, 230 V
Tap waterSafe to drink
TippingTip about 10 to 15 percent.
PaymentsCards widely accepted.
EtiquetteGreet people before getting to business, and tip waiters about 10 to 15 percent. Car guards expect a small tip.
  • Use ride share or pre booked transfers rather than walking at night.
  • Load shedding power cuts may occur; check schedules.
  • The Gautrain links the airport with Sandton and Rosebank quickly.
  • The city sits at about 1,750 meters, so winter nights are cold.
  • Load shedding (scheduled power cuts) can affect traffic lights and shops.
  • Do not display phones or jewellery on the street.
  • Use ride apps instead of walking at night.
  • Book Soweto and cultural visits with reputable guides.

A short history

Gold was found here in 1886, and the city grew rapidly. Apartheid laws shaped the city. Soweto was a center of resistance, including the 1976 uprising. Nelson Mandela lived in Soweto, and democracy came in 1994.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Johannesburg