Where to Stay: Best Areas in Johannesburg

Clock Icon 11 minutes read
Update Icon Dec 21, 2023

Johannesburg is the capital of Gauteng, the smallest and most populous province in South Africa. Along with nearby Pretoria, Johannesburg is a business, finance, logistics, manufacturing, mining, and telecommunications hub. It has some important historical and cultural attractions, making it a fascinating holiday destination for those who enjoy sightseeing.

If you’re considering a vacation in Joburg, you might be wondering which part of the city to stay in. Some neighborhoods have high crime rates and can be dangerous for tourists, but plenty of areas are safe for visitors. Let’s take a look at the best neighborhoods for tourists and highlight some of the most popular Johannesburg hotels and guesthouses to help you decide where to stay.

CBD for First-Time Visits

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Highlights: Carlton Center, Museum Africa, Standard Bank Gallery, Market Theatre, Nelson Mandela Bridge, Johannesburg Gandhi Square

The Central Business District is Johannesburg’s very center. Some of the biggest highrises in South Africa are in the CBD, and there are lots of sights to explore. The Standard Bank Gallery displays beautiful art, and Museum Africa has a range of exhibits highlighting South African history and culture.

The Carlton Centre, the country’s largest skyscraper until 2019, is now known as WeOriginate and serves as a shopping center. It has an impressive observation deck where you can enjoy incredible views over the city.

What You’ll Find There

Johannesburg CBD is pedestrian-friendly, so you can easily take a walking tour to see the likes of Gandhi Square and Nelson Mandela Bridge. Johannesburg Park Station, the city’s central transport hub, is situated in the CBD, so it’s easy to reach different parts of the city and the suburbs via the handy Gautrain high-speed service.

If you are visiting Johannesburg for the first time, the CBD could be a great base because it’s convenient for sightseeing in the city center. Remember that it can be fairly busy and noisy, and walking around late at night is not recommended.

Business travelers and those who love urban getaways will benefit from staying in the CBD, but if you’re looking for a more relaxing trip, you’re better off staying in one of the city’s more upmarket, residential neighborhoods.

Where to Stay

Hotels are relatively few and far between in the most central part of Johannesburg, but those on offer are within walking distance of the city’s most popular sights. Many people opt to stay further out from the city center, where hotels are more secure and luxurious.

The Houghton Hotel & Spa is a 15-minute drive north of central Joburg, offering a quieter and more luxurious experience than the city center hotels. This 5-star hotel features an indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, restaurant, hair salon, and business center.

Maboneng for Tight Budgets

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Highlights: Arts on Main, Museum of African Design

Maboneng is a small district in the CBD that is renowned for its cool atmosphere. It’s packed with shops and restaurants and has a lively, creative vibe. Until recent years, Maboneng was fairly run down and considered something of a no-go zone for tourists due to high crime rates. Redevelopment has, however, transformed the area into one of Johannesburg’s can’t-miss neighborhoods.

What You’ll Find There

There’s so much culture on offer here — head to Arts On Main to view and buy artworks created by talented locals. Visit The Bioscope to watch an art-house movie. Go to the Poolside to enjoy a few drinks and listen to chilled tunes, or enjoy delicious food at various trendy restaurants such as Che Argentine Grill.

Sample small batch spirits at Time Anchor Distillery or specialty cocktails at Lenin’s Vodka Bar. Don’t miss the Museum of African Design to view an incredible collection of works by talented African artists.

Where to Stay

There’s some very affordable accommodation in Maboneng, making it a great base for backpackers and travelers on a budget. You’ll find cool boutique hotels and cheap hostels, the latter being a great option for those keen to connect with fellow travelers.

Rosebank for Trendy Trips

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Highlights: Rosebank Rooftop Flea Market, African Handicraft Market, Rosebank Mall, Cherie de Villiers Gallery, Circa Gallery, Everard Read Gallery, Kim Sacks Gallery, Keyes Art Mile, Zoo Lake

Rosebank is six miles north of the CBD and has a mix of residential and commercial buildings. It has an elegant European vibe blended with African culture, and it’s known for its friendly, youthful atmosphere.

Some of the best bars and clubs in Joburg are located here, so if you’re looking for nightlife, Rosebank is the place for you. It’s also a very scenic neighborhood, particularly during October and November when the jacaranda trees bloom with their beautiful purple flowers.

What You’ll Find There

There’s a cool creative scene in Rosebank, and you can pick up arts and crafts when you visit the African Handicraft Market and Rosebank Rooftop Flea Market. More shopping can be done at Rosebank Mall, which has a mix of independent, designer, and high-street stores and is a great place for fashion lovers to spend a few hours.

Public transport links are good for reaching popular sights outside of the area, such as Soweto, the Apartheid Museum, and Constitution Hill.

Where to Stay

There’s a very good range of accommodation in Rosebank and the surrounding area. Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank is a contemporary, 4-star hotel situated close to the shopping mall and train station. It has a mix of rooms and apartment-style suites; breakfast and WiFi are included in room rates, and there’s a restaurant, a rooftop bar and pool, a gym, and a 24-hour convenience store.

54 On Bath is an elegant hotel that offers 24-hour room service, mini bars in each of its rooms, an outdoor pool, and an onsite restaurant serving dinner and afternoon tea. Radisson RED Johannesburg Rosebank is a stylish boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and terrace, pinball machines, and free WiFi.

The Westcliff Johannesburg Four Seasons Hotel is just south of Rosebank and is a self-contained resort in a prestigious residential area. Reminiscent of a Mediterranean village, this luxury hotel offers lush gardens, pretty courtyards and fountains, a wellness center, and a restaurant.

Melville for Local Life

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Highlights: Melville Koppies Nature Reserve, Melville Koppies East National Park, Lindfield Victorian House Museum

Melville is a quaint residential area close to Rosebank, and it’s one of Johannesburg’s oldest neighborhoods. It has traditional South African charm with its farmhouse-style properties on streets lined with gorgeous jacaranda trees. Melville’s diverse mix of stores, eateries, and taverns attracts many students from the nearby University of Johannesburg to the area.

What You’ll Find There

The area is very walkable, so wandering between establishments and taking in the charming architecture is easy. Drop into The Whippet for a morning coffee and have dinner at Poppy’s Restaurant to start and end your day with tasty food and drink.

Koppies Nature Reserve and Koppies East National Park are popular green spaces at the northern end of the Melville area. Locals and tourists alike love to escape into nature here to walk the trails, take in the pretty gardens, and witness remnants of early Stone Age settlements.

Where to Stay

There’s a good mix of affordable guesthouses and motels in Melville, which makes it a great area for travelers on a budget. Despite this, the area doesn’t feel too touristic, and it’s a great place to get a feel for local life in Johannesburg within a friendly community.

Melrose for Family Vacations

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Highlights: Nelson Mandela Houghton Estate, James & Ethel Grey Park, Melrose Wild Bird Sanctuary, Melrose Arch, BluBird Shopping Centre

Melrose is a stylish neighborhood north of the central business district. It’s away from the hustle and bustle of the CBD while remaining within easy reach of many popular attractions.

What You’ll Find There

The area boasts James & Ethel Grey Park, which offers plenty of green areas for walking, hiking, and biking. Head to the Acrobranch activity center within the park to tackle ziplines, rope bridges, and aerial obstacle courses. Visit Melrose Wild Bird Sanctuary to see and learn about more than 120 species of wild birds and enjoy a picnic on the peaceful grounds.

One of the biggest attractions in Melrose is Melrose Arch, which has a diverse array of stores, cafes, and restaurants. The nearby BluBird Shopping Centre is also a popular spot, and it tends to be quieter and more relaxed due to its smaller size.

If you want to spend quality time with the kids on a family trip, Melrose Arch is a great area to stay in. It’s safe, peaceful, and has a good mix of tourists and locals, and there are many popular cafes and restaurants to dine in.

Where to Stay

There’s a good mix of accommodation in the Melrose area, including hotels, guesthouses, and apartments.

Sandton for Shopping and Nightlife

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Highlights: Sandton City, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton Central Park, Bryanston Organic and Natural Market

Sandton is a suburb 11 miles north of the CBD and contains a contemporary mix of modern highrises, traditional homes, and green parks. It is considered by many as Johannesburg’s new business district after many organizations moved their headquarters to the neighborhood in the 80s and 90s when the CBD developed major problems with crime. Even though the CBD has since been redeveloped and made safe, Sandton remains a hub for business and is home to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

What You’ll Find There

Sandton City is a large shopping center that’s considered the best place in Johannesburg for a day of shopping. This large mall has a great range of restaurants as well as stores, and it’s also situated close to the smaller but no less popular shopping center in Nelson Mandela Square if you want a break from retail therapy, head to the peaceful Sandton Central Park, which offers panoramic views over the city.

There are some great restaurants, bars, theaters, and entertainment venues in upmarket Sandton, particularly in its newly-developed neighborhood of Fourways, so if you’re looking for an indulgent break in Johannesburg, this is a great place to stay. It’s some distance from the main sights of the city center, but it takes just 15 minutes to reach the CBD from Sandton via the high-speed Gautrain.

Sandton also offers convenient access to the popular Montecasino leisure complex and the nearby suburb of Midrand. Plus, it’s close to Randburg’s neighborhood, home to several popular attractions such as Johannesburg Zoo, Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, and the Apartheid Museum.

Where to Stay

Sandton boasts a variety of luxury hotels and resorts for those looking for an indulgent vacation. Protea Hotel Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton is a country-style Marriott hotel with beautiful gardens, swimming pools, multiple on-site restaurants, bars and cafes, a conference room, and a gym. Saxon Hotel is a modern five-star hotel set within 10 acres of indigenous gardens, with an on-site spa and gourmet restaurant.

Sandton Skye Premium Suites and Penthouses are great options for families. Some units are equipped with full kitchens for self-catering, or you can eat onsite at the restaurant. The Parkwood is a charming boutique hotel with spacious rooms, a pool, a spa, fast check-in service, and free parking and WiFi.

Kempton Park for Easy Airport Access

Photo Credit: Shams F Amir

Highlights: O.R. Tambo International Airport

Kempton Park is a large town situated right next to O.R. Tambo International Airport. It doesn’t have any tourist attractions to explore, but it’s a handy neighborhood to stay in if you’ll be visiting Johannesburg for a short layover or a business trip. You can easily reach the CBD and other main areas via the Gautrain.

Where to Stay

While accommodation in this area may not be the city’s most luxurious, you can certainly expect it to be comfortable and practical. Garden Court O.R. Tambo International Airport offers affordable rooms with access to a free shuttle service and free breakfast. It has a fitness center, a pub that serves food all day, and a business center with meeting rooms for business travelers.

InterContinental Johannesburg O.R.Tambo Airport Hotel is opposite the airport’s international arrivals hall, making it an incredibly convenient short-stay choice.

Book Your Joburg Vacation

Now you’ve discovered the top neighborhoods and best hotels in Johannesburg; you can decide which part of this thriving city to call home during your stay. Get started on your search for the perfect accommodation today.