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Johannesburg combines natural beauty, a rich but troubled history, and vibrant urban regeneration to be one of Africa’s most popular tourist spots. There’s so much to do here, and you’ll love working your way through the many attractions in the city.
Not sure what activities to add to your itinerary? This list of 14 must-see attractions in Johannesburg will help you get started.
1. The Roof of Africa
Photo Credit: Cezary Wojtkowski
- Website: carltoncentre.co.za
- Address: 150 Commissioner St, CBD, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
- Opening hours: 9 am – 6 pm Monday to Friday / 9 am – 5 pm Saturday / 9 am – 2 pm Sunday
To orientate yourself and get a true sense of the vibrancy and diversity of Johannesburg, head to the Johannesburg city center. Many of the most important sites are located in and around the center of the city, including Chancellor House, where Nelson Mandela started South Africa’s first Black-owned law firm. While exploring the center, don’t miss the ‘Roof of Africa’ viewing platform at the top of the 50-floor Carlton Center for panoramic views across the city skyline.
Tip: Although safety has improved in Joburg over the past few years, wandering alone in the city center can still feel intimidating. An organized sightseeing tour is a great way to see the main attractions in the company of a guide and fellow travelers.
2. The Apartheid Museum
- Website: apartheidmuseum.org
- Address: Northern Parkway and Gold Reef Road, Johannesburg, 2001
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm Wednesday to Sunday
The Apartheid Museum is one of Joburg’s most important attractions because it provides necessary insight into South Africa’s history and struggles. Through a series of informative displays, the museum shares chilling accounts and footage of what the country’s long and painful road to freedom looked like for South Africans who suffered through it. Be sure to give yourself a few hours here — this isn’t an experience to be rushed.
3. Constitution Hill
Photo Credit: Atle Viste
- Website: constitutionhill.org.za
- Address: 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2017
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
This Joburg attraction is a former prison and provides further insight into South Africa’s troubled past. This infamous jail was known for its brutal treatment of criminals and political prisoners and once held both Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi inside its walls.
Today, the old ‘Awaiting Trial’ building serves as the Constitutional Court of South Africa which is a powerful symbol of the country’s journey to freedom and democracy. Informative guided tours of the site visit the Number Four Museum, the Women’s Gaol Museum, and the Old Fort, where you can learn stories of some of the tens of thousands of people jailed here over the prison’s 100-year history.
4. Gold Reef City
- Website: goldreefcity.co.za
- Address: Northern Pkwy & Data Cres, Johannesburg, 2159
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm Wednesday to Sunday
Johannesburg is known as ‘The City of Gold’ because of the gold that was discovered on the site where it was founded. Gold Reef City pays homage to this glittering history as a family-friendly attraction that combines exciting thrill rides and historical exhibits. Take a tour of one of the richest gold mines in the world, check out the many theme park rides, and take kids (and kids at heart) to the charming petting zoo. There’s also the opportunity to pan for gold and watch liquid gold being poured into gold bars.
5. Soweto Township & Mandela House
Photo Credit: Mario Hagen
- Website mandelahouse.com
- Address: 8115 Vilakazi Street, Orlando West,1804
- Opening hours: 9 am – 4.45 pm daily
The Soweto Township is at the heart of Joburg’s fight for freedom and is where Black workers were segregated far from the city center. The 1976 Soweto uprising, during which schoolboy Hector Pieterson was killed, birthed countless other uprisings throughout the country, which eventually helped end Apartheid.
Mandela himself lived here for almost two decades, making it one of Johannesburg’s must-visit places. Expect to see an eclectic mix of shacks, mansions, and poignant street art on the famed Soweto Towers.
6. Sandton City Shopping
- Website: sandtoncity.com
- Address: Sandton City, Atrium on 5th, Sandton City, Sandton 2196
- Opening hours: 9 am – 7 pm Monday to Thursday / 9 am – 8 pm Friday & Saturday / 9 am – 6 pm Sunday
If you’re in the mood for a spot of retail therapy during your visit to Joburg, don’t miss Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square. These shopping spots offer a great mix of international high-street fashion, edgy South African brands, art, home decor, and kids’ stores. If you’ve got plenty of rand to burn, check out The Diamond Walk — this is where you’ll find luxury and designer brands such as Gucci and Jimmy Choo.
7. The Maboneng Precinct
Photo Credit: Sunshine Seeds
- Website: mabonengprecinct.com
- Address: Fox St & Kruger St, City, and Suburban, Johannesburg, 2094
- Opening hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily
Maboneng, which means “place of light,” was once a run-down neighborhood, but regeneration has turned The Precinct into one of the most vibrant and exciting areas of the city. Old factories have been retrofitted with glass, concrete, and steel to create a contemporary urban space. Expect cafes, boutiques, art galleries, and entertainment venues aplenty in this must-see spot.
8. The Cradle of Humankind
- Website: maropeng.co.za
- Address: R400 off R563 Hekpoort Road Sterkfontein, Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site 1911
- Opening hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily
No visit to Johannesburg is complete without a trip to witness the Cradle of Humankind. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is where scientists discovered a skeleton that proves humans were present in the valley 3.5 million years ago. The Maropeng Visitor Center features fascinating exhibits where you can learn more about the historical significance of this region.
Check out the Sterkfontein stalactitic caves during your visit — these underground chambers are home to the world’s longest palaeoanthropological dig, plus an epic lake at a depth of around 40 meters. The Lion & Safari Park is also nearby and is well worth a visit — it’s convenient to combine the lion park with the Cradle of Humankind to make an exciting day trip from the city.
9. Jozi Food Market
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/JoziRealFoodMarket
- Address: 25 Braeside Rd, Greenside, Randburg, 2034
- Opening hours: 8.30 am – 1.30 pm Saturday
Jozi is widely regarded as the best food market in Gauteng and is the perfect place to enjoy a literal taste of South Africa. Pick up seasonal fruits and vegetables, local and international cheeses, biltong, fresh bread, and some of the most delicious cakes in the city. The market is kid and pet-friendly, making it the perfect place to hang out on a sunny Saturday.
10. Pilanesberg National Park
- Website: pilanesbergnationalpark.org
- Address: Bojanala, North West, South Africa
- Opening hours: Seasonal; check the website for details.
Pilanesberg National Park is one of South Africa’s top malaria-free wildlife destinations, which makes it a popular day trip from Johannesburg and Pretoria. The national park sits in the valley of an extinct volcano. It offers the chance to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino) without trekking to the more famous (but further away) Kruger nature reserve. Many full-day tour options are available and most include transport to and from Joberg.
11. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens
Photo Credit: Dylan Barnes
- Website: sanbi.org/gardens/walter-sisulu
- Address: Malcolm Rd, Poortview, Roodepoort, 1724
- Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily
For a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, spend a few hours exploring the wilderness of these gardens on the city’s outskirts. The Witpoortjie Waterfall is at the heart of the gardens, and there are seemingly endless paths and hiking trails to explore in every direction of this 200-acre park. Don’t miss the butterfly garden or the succulent rockery garden.
12. Johannesburg Zoo
- Website: jhbcityparksandzoo.com/services-facilities/zoo/about
- Address: Jellicoe Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196
- Opening hours: 8.30 am – 5.30 pm daily
Johannesburg Zoo is one of the main tourist attractions for families traveling with children. Founded in 1904, Jo’burg Zoo began with just two young lions. Today, the facility houses over 320 species of animals and is committed to the welfare and ethical treatment of the 2,000+ creatures living here. Golf carts can be hired to make it easier to see more of the zoo in a single visit, and there are food and drink vendors on-site, so you can really make a day of it.
13. Art Galleries
Johannesburg’s cultural scene rivals those of Cape Town and Durban, and art lovers won’t want to miss these superb galleries.
Johannesburg Art Gallery
- Website: friendsofjag.org
- Address: Cnr Klein and King George Streets Joubert Park, 2044
- Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday
9,000 works of art make Joburg Gallery one of the largest public collections of art and sculpture in all of Sub-Saharan Africa. Works by local and international artists date back to the 17th century and include works by legends such as Picasso and Rodin, plus South African talents such as JH Pierneef and Gerard Sekoto.
Wits Art Museum
- Website: wits.ac.za/wam
- Address: 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein 2000
- Opening hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Saturday
Opened in 2012, Wits Art Museum is the best place in the city to discover African artists from South Africa and beyond. The gallery itself is located on the University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg campus, and the entire area is buzzing, so be sure to make time for a stroll after taking in the artwork.
Goodman Gallery
- Website: goodman-gallery.com
- Address: 163 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood, Johannesburg, 2193
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm Tuesday to Friday / 9 am – 4 pm Saturday
Goodman Gallery focuses on art with social justice at its heart, making this one of the most fascinating contemporary galleries in the city. South African artists have been free to show works here, even when the gallery was first established in 1966 during Apartheid. Global artists now also frequently exhibit their pieces here.
14. South African National Museum of Military History
- Website: ditsong.org.za/en/our-museums/museum-of-military-history
- Address: 22 Erlswold Way, Johannesburg, 2132
- Opening hours: 7.30 am – 4 pm daily
This fascinating museum traces South Africa’s military history and covers all notable conflicts fought over the centuries. Here, you’ll learn about the Zulu’s use of traditional medicine during the Anglo-Zulu war, see what life was like in the trenches of World War I, and witness tanks and fighter planes from World War II.
The museum also serves as a memorial of those lost in past battles for freedom while serving as a warning not to repeat the horrors of the past.
A Vibrant City Packed Full of Exciting Attractions
Whether you have a few days or a couple of weeks in Johannesburg, you’ll never find yourself short of attractions and activities. What will you see first?
