13 Can’t Miss Hidden Gems in Johannesburg

As one of the leading tourist destinations on the African continent, Johannesburg has a long list of much-visited attractions and sights. If you’re planning on visiting this South African metropolis and want to get off the beaten path, bookmark this list of 13 can’t miss hidden gems in Johannesburg.

1. Nirox Sculpture Park

• Website: niroxarts.com
• Address: R540 Kromdraai Rd, Kromdraai, Krugersdorp, 1739
• Opening hours: 10 am – 4 pm Saturday & Sunday

Most visitors to Joburg will visit the Cradle of Humankind — the site where life first emerged billions of years ago — but many will skip the Nirox Sculpture Park that’s also located here.

With 15 carefully landscaped hectares of gardens to explore, this is a wonderful antidote to the hecticness of the city. Stroll around and spot dozens of sculptures, then feast on Argentinian-inspired small plates at the on-site cafe and restaurant. Nirox is open on weekends and holidays only.

2. Zoo Lake Swimming Pool

• Website: joburg.co.za/zoo-lake-public-pool
• Address: 57 Lower Park Dr, Parkview, Randburg, 2193
• Opening hours: 10 am – 6 pm Tuesday to Friday / 10 am – 5 pm Saturday & Sunday

Locals love this outdoor swimming pool — as do tourists in the know. Built in the 1930s, many of the pool’s original features remain, and the square design is a quirky design choice that makes doing lengths more interesting than in a typical pool.

The pool gets extremely busy during the summer months, but you’ll be rewarded with a more peaceful visit in spring and fall if you’re brave enough to take on the cold water (the pool is unheated).

3. Johannesburg’s Green Spaces

Most visitors think of Johannesburg as a sprawling urban area, but almost a quarter of the city is made up of public green spaces. You don’t have to trek to Kruger National Park and the other famed South African nature spots to enjoy time away from the hustle and bustle — here are some of the best hidden green gems inside the city limits:

Delta Park

• Website: sa-venues.com/gauteng/braamfontein-spruit-trail/
• Address: 77 Craighall Rd, Victory Park, Randburg, 2195
• Opening hours: 6 am – 6 pm daily

Delta is part of the Braamfontein Spruit hiking trail and is popular with dog walkers, bird-watchers, and mountain bikers. The park is very well maintained and is a tranquil spot to spend an afternoon picnicking or chilling with a great book.

Mushroom Farm Park

• Website: joburg.co.za/mushroom-farm-park
• Address: Sandown, Sandton, 2031
• Opening hours: 6 am – 6 pm Sunday to Friday / 6 am – 6.30 pm Saturday

This park is hidden in plain sight in the middle of Sandton on the corner of Pretoria and Daisy avenues, and many Jo’burg locals aren’t even aware of its existence. The result is a quiet place to take a break from the city. Relax under the shade of the huge trees, stroll along the paved walkways, and check out the charming duck pond during your visit.

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden

• Website: sa-venues.com/walter-sisulu-botanical-garden.htm
• Address: Malcolm Rd, Poortview, Roodepoort, 1724
• Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily

This garden has been here since the 1800s and has been voted as ‘the best place to get back to nature in Gauteng’ several times. The park’s diversity is unmatched within the city, and it’s easy to spend an hour or two taking in the colorful flora.

Kloofendal Reserve

• Website: kloofendalfriends.org.za
• Address: Veronica St, Kloofendal, Roodepoort, 1709
• Opening hours: 6 am – 6 pm daily

This inner-city nature reserve is located on the crest of a hill in Roodepoort and is a fantastic spot for a picnic. Guided walks are offered during the day, and stargazing tours are available once night falls.

4. Workers Museum

• Website: museumexplorer.co.za/workers-museum
• Address: Rahima Moosa St, Newtown, Johannesburg, 2000
• Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday

Newtown is one of the most fascinating suburbs in Joburg and is a unique melting pot of cultures. The Workers Museum does a superb job of explaining how the migrant workers who were once stationed here paid a high price for the lifestyle that locals enjoy in the neighborhood today.

Workers from across Southern Africa were brought here to work in mines and factories and endured appalling living conditions. The museum’s informative displays showcase how South Africa owes much of its success to the labor of these men, making it an important place to visit to better understand the country’s complex history.

5. Sky Dining at Higher Ground Restaurant

• Website: highergroundrestaurant.co.za
• Address: 40 Peter Place, Lyme Park, Sandton, 2060
• Opening hours: 6.30 am – 9.30 pm Monday to Thursday / 6.30 am – 11 pm Friday / 7.30 am – 11 pm Saturday / 7.30 am – 7 pm Sunday

Tucked away on the grounds of St. Stithians College is Higher Ground Restaurant, complete with the best views of Jozi. Choose to eat in the cafe or opt for a spot of sky dining — where a table, servers, and diners are hoisted 30 meters up in the air for a unique meal to remember. Several dining packages are available, and each seat can accommodate just 22 people, so be sure to book in advance.

6. Hennops Hiking Trail

• Website: hennopstrails.co.za
• Address: R511, Pretoria, 0001
• Opening hours: 7 am – 1 pm Monday to Friday / 6 am – 1 pm Saturday & Sunday

Hennops River is just 45 minutes outside Sandton and is a must-visit hiking spot for outdoor enthusiasts. There are two main hikes to choose from, plus a shorter trail that is suitable for all ages and abilities.

As well as offering a lush variety of greenery and natural landscapes, there are also a few less-expected features to enjoy, including suspension bridges, a cable car, and two swimming pools. Be sure to head out early to beat the heat.

7. Bioscope Independent Cinema

• Website: thebioscope.co.za
• Address: 44 Stanley Avenue, Milpark 2092
• Opening hours: Check the website for schedules

This independent cinema has a cult following among Johannesburg residents and is the best place in the city to see global, art houses, and classic films. There’s only one screen, and it has space for just 47 people, so the experience is certainly more intimate than it is at most commercial cinemas. Check the website for showtimes and events at this cultural institution.

8. Nizamiye Mosque

• Website: nizamiyecomplex.co.za
• Address: Old Pretoria Road & Le Roux Ave, Midrand, 1685

South Africa has a thriving Muslim culture, and Nizamiye Mosque is the most rousing place in Joburg to witness this. The building itself was opened in 2012 and is an 80% to-scale replica of the Selimiye Mosque in Turkey. The Islamic art inside is breathtaking, and a stroll through the courtyard is an emotive experience, no matter your religious affiliation.

9. The Shadow Boxer

• Website: https://www.sa-venues.com/mandela-shadow-boxer-statue.php
• Address: 225 Market St, Johannesburg, 2000
• Opening hours: 24/7

The Shadow Boxer is a statue honoring Nelson Mandela, the late president of South Africa and globally renowned anti-apartheid activist. This public artwork sits outside Chancellor House, where Mandela ran the first Black law firm with a focus on defending ‘criminals’ who defied Apartheid law. Pay your tributes to the South African hero here — and be sure to visit Mandela House in Soweto, too, to see where the freedom fighter once lived.

10. The Lindfield Victorian House Museum

• Website: lindfield.wixsite.com/museum
• Address: 72 Richmond Ave, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006
• Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily

South Africa has a diverse past, and this charming museum provides insight into its rich Victorian influences. The property is named after a village in England and was constructed in around 1910. Visiting today is like stepping into a time machine — the current owner guides visitors around the house while telling tales of what life was like for South Africans at the turn of the 20th century.

11. Johannesburg Nightlife

Johannesburg rivals Cape Town on the nightlife front, and many of the city’s suburbs come alive after dark. Here are some of the best spots for cocktails and live music in the city.

Sin + Tax

• Website: sintaxbar.com
• Address: Corner of Bolton & Jan Smuts Roads, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2193
• Opening hours: 5 pm – 2 am Wednesday to Saturday

This hotspot used to require a password to gain entry when it opened in 2016, but now all you need to do to get in is to head there early. This small but popular bar only has space for 45, and it fills up quickly — don’t miss the creative cocktail list.

The Living Room

• Website: livingroomjozi.co.za
• Address: 5th Floor, Main Change Building, 20 Kruger St, City and Suburban, Johannesburg, 2094
• Opening hours: 12 pm – 8 pm Wednesday to Thursday / 12 pm – 9 pm Friday / 11 am – 10 pm Saturday / 11 am – 9 pm Sunday

Head here to fill your Instagram feed with enviable snaps of Joburg’s coolest rooftop cafe bar. Grab a seat in time for sundown for unrivaled views of Johannesburg. A rotating cast of local DJs perfectly sets the mood.

The Landmark

• Address: Cnr William Nicol & Ballyclare Dr Bryanston Shopping Centre, Bryanston, Sandton, 2021
• Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm Tuesday to Saturday / 10 am – 4 pm Sunday

For upmarket cocktails in a buzzy atmosphere, check out The Landmark. Locals love this spot for its classy cocktails and the global whisky menu.

12. Satyagraha House

• Website: satyagrahahouse.com
• Address: 15 Pine Rd & Garden Road, Orchard, Johannesburg, 2192
• Opening hours: 24/7

Many people aren’t aware that Mahatma Gandhi spent 21 years living in South Africa, and it’s here that he began his career in political activism. Satyagraha means “holding on to truth” or “devotion to truth” in Sanskrit and is the perfect moniker for Gandhi’s home. The property is now a guesthouse, but it’s worth seeing this iconic location even if you don’t plan on staying there.

13. Kliptown Museum

• Website: sa-venues.com/kliptown-open-air-museum.php
• Address: Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication, Corner Union Avenue and Main Road, Kliptown, Soweto, 1811
• Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday

If you’ve already visited Nelson Mandela House and the Apartheid Museum, head to this lesser-known museum to learn more about the struggles of the people of Soweto. Located on the site of an old hardware store, photos, art, music, and stories give a vivid glimpse into the battles that took place here in the 1950s. Displays are in English, ensuring the information is accessible to a wide audience.

Fall in Love with the Lesser-known Side of Joburg

It’s no secret that Johannesburg is an incredible place to visit. But as you can see, there are plenty of incredible activities and attractions that most tourists don’t know about. Which hidden gem will you check out first?