The financial and industrial center of South Africa, Johannesburg, also known as Jo’burg, Jozi, and E’Goli, or the “city of gold,” was founded on a long history of gold mining. From an edgy safari halt to a thriving center of the arts and culture, the city is changing quickly.
Along with the moving Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, the city’s primary tourist destinations today include cutting-edge modern galleries and the new Maboneng Precinct, with its quirky eateries, cafés, and art studios.
The city’s shining skyscrapers and the guarded villas of privileged enclaves still stand in stark contrast to the impoverished neighborhoods of Soweto, the scene of the country’s democratic struggle.
But quick adjustments are luring visitors to stay. Take a guided tour or explore on one of the new Gautrain buses and trains. There are more adventures waiting for you close to the city’s boundaries.
Explore the UNESCO-listed Cradle of Humankind, one of the most abundant paleoanthropological sites in the world; wander around the lovely parks, gardens, and other sights in Pretoria, the nation’s administrative capital; and get up close and personal with wildlife at a well-known lion park. Use our list of Johannesburg’s top attractions to find the greatest things to do.
Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill, a former jail that overlooks Johannesburg, offers intriguing insight into South Africa’s past. You can visit the Old Fort museum, the Women’s Gaol museum, and the Number Four museum to see thought-provoking displays. Formerly known as The Fort, the precinct gained notoriety for its harsh treatment of common offenders, political prisoners, and passive resistors; notable ex-inmates include Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.
The Constitutional Court of South Africa, a representation of liberty that strives to defend the rights of all South Africans, is now housed at the former Awaiting Trial building. Visitors who wish to observe the legal proceedings and attend hearings are welcome in the court. Constitutional Hill’s rich history can be better understood through guided excursions.
The Apartheid Museum
Photographs, relics, newspaper clippings, terrifying firsthand stories, and video evidence are all used by the Apartheid Museum to graphically tell the apartheid narrative. As visitors navigate the thought-provoking permanent displays on an emotional trip through South Africa’s history, they are assaulted by the images and sounds of the apartheid era.
The nation follows paths from decades of persecution to the emergence of democracy. To get the most of your visit, plan on staying for at least two hours, if not more. The Liliesleaf Farm Museum, the original headquarters for the liberation movement’s leaders, is another place to go if you want to understand more about South Africa’s fight for independence.
The Maboneng Precinct
An excellent illustration of a mixed-use urban revitalization project is the bustling Maboneng Precinct. Maboneng, which means “place of light,” was once a pretty dilapidated area but is now a hive of activity. Residential buildings blend well with hip cafes, restaurants, art galleries, stores, hotels, and entertainment venues.
The monthly Market on Main, which features cuisine from across the continent, is a major draw here. Among the first projects to convert warehouses into galleries, stores, and artist studios are Arts on Main and Revolution House. Other developments include stores, designer hotels, a community center, and Bioscope, an independent movie theater. This is a great place to explore, take in the city atmosphere, and stop for a refreshing drink or a bite to eat.
Mandela House in Soweto
Located 20 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg, Soweto—an acronym for Southwestern Townships—offers a glimpse into the heart of the struggle for liberation. Black laborers were housed in this designated segregated region, many of them in corrugated iron shacks located distant from the city core. It was also where the fight for democracy began. The Soweto Uprisings of 1976 aimed to topple the apartheid regime and expanded throughout the nation.
You might observe a land of opposites now. Among the shanties, mansions have sprung up, and the democratic government is working to create green areas and much-needed infrastructure. The Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, which honors the courageous students who opposed apartheid during the Soweto Uprisings and some of whom were shot by police, including the museum’s namesake, who was only 12 years old, and Mandela House, where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to 1962, are popular tourist destinations.
The guided tour is the simplest and safest method to see Soweto. You’ll usually have the opportunity to visit the well-known Vilakazi Street and the former residences of two Nobel Peace Prize winners, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as well as take in the superb exhibits at the Apartheid Museum. A knowledgeable guide will also take you into the shanty towns to meet the locals.
Gold Reef City
Eight kilometers from the city center, Gold Reef City transports you back to the heyday of the gold rush with an array of exhilarating theme park attractions and historical displays. A decommissioned shaft of the Crown Mines, one of the richest gold mines in the world, may be toured at this family-friendly attraction, which also features replicas of historical structures and establishments.
Youngsters adore the thrilling theme park rides, such as the winding Anaconda roller coaster, the trampoline park, and the ten-pin bowling alley. The park also has a petting zoo and attractions specifically designed for small children. Gold panning, sideshow competitions, and putt-putt golf complete the excursions.
The Cradle of Humankind
The Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant and productive paleo-anthropological regions in the world, is approximately an hour’s drive from Johannesburg. The Sterkfontein stalactitic caverns, which are made up of six connected underground chambers with a lake at a depth of roughly 40 meters, are one of the area’s main attractions.
In 1998, scientists found a skeleton that dated the presence of early humans in the valley to 3.5 million years ago. Archaeological investigations here also uncovered the skull of “Mrs Ples,” a humanoid creature known as Australopithecus africanus, thought to be two million years old.
Lion & Safari Park Day Trip
Less than an hour’s drive north from downtown Johannesburg, you can get up close and personal with some of Africa’s most well-known species at the Lion & Safari Park. Here, animal interactions are the main attraction. You can hand feed giraffes, go on the Cheetah Walk, and snuggle a lion cub.
You can take a guided game drive in the park’s cars to observe lions, cheetahs, zebras, ostriches, wild dogs, hyenas, and other antelope species, but self-directed tours are also allowed. Other popular activities include river rafting tours and feeding expeditions at night. When driving through the park, make sure you follow all safety instructions and keep your windows up.