At a Glance
- Soweto’s Vilakazi Street links Nobel history with vibrant township culture and cuisine.
- Maboneng Precinct transforms abandoned spaces into Joburg’s premier art and food hub.
- Explore apartheid history and modern renewal on immersive JoburgPlaces walking tours.
Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city and its undisputed economic engine, is rewriting its story in bold, creative strokes.
Known historically as the City of Gold due to its mining origins, Johannesburg—or Joburg as locals call it—is rapidly emerging as one of Africa’s most dynamic urban destinations.
Beyond its towering skyline and bustling business districts, the city is brimming with reinvention, resilience, and cultural revival.
Over the past decade, Johannesburg has transformed its derelict warehouses into galleries, turned abandoned lots into weekend markets, and infused once-quiet suburbs with cosmopolitan energy.
This regeneration has not only boosted local pride but has also created a thriving travel experience that rivals global capitals.
The best places to visit in Johannesburg now reflect a complex blend of the city’s past and future—from apartheid-era landmarks to buzzing food and art scenes.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a frequent flyer, Johannesburg offers more than just a stopover to Cape Town or Kruger.
It’s a full-fledged destination teeming with unique things to do—from exploring Soweto’s rich history to sipping cocktails on a rooftop overlooking the city lights.
With its layered heritage and contemporary flair, Joburg demands to be experienced on foot, through taste, sound, and storytelling.
This curated Johannesburg travel guide spotlights essential spots for every traveler—luxury escapes, cultural landmarks, hidden gems, and local favorites.
Whether you’re after gourmet brunches in hillside hotels or offbeat tours through inner-city alleys, each stop reveals another facet of Joburg’s complex personality.
Here’s where to go, what to eat, and how to see Johannesburg like a local.
From high-end gastronomy to historic revolutions, this is the ultimate list of must-see places in Johannesburg, tailored for travelers eager to explore one of Africa’s most exciting cities.
Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers
Far more than a hostel, Lebo’s is a cultural immersion into the heart of Soweto.
Located in Orlando West, it offers guided bike and tuk-tuk tours through vibrant streets and historical corners, including workers’ hostels, community centers, and churches.
Expect home-cooked South African meals—from bunny chow to potjie stew—served with warm hospitality that brings township life to vivid reality.
Brunch at the Westcliff Hotel (four seasons)
Nestled in one of Joburg’s leafiest neighborhoods, this luxury property pairs five-star dining with panoramic views over the northern suburbs.
On clear mornings, you might spot elephants at the nearby zoo. It’s one of the top places in Johannesburg for an indulgent brunch with sweeping scenery.
Dinner at the Saxon Hotel
A favorite among celebrities and dignitaries, the Saxon offers an exclusive dining experience by acclaimed chef Luke Dale-Roberts.
Guests are treated to a multi-course tasting menu in an intimate setting, with expertly paired South African wines. This is Johannesburg fine dining at its peak.
Vilakazi street, Soweto
The only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Peace Prize winners—Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu—Vilakazi Street is a cornerstone of South Africa’s political and cultural narrative.
Mandela’s former home is now a museum, while nearby restaurants and wine bars offer local flair.
Hector Pieterson memorial
A short walk from Vilakazi Street, this moving memorial honors the life of 13-year-old Hector Pieterson, killed during the 1976 student protests.
Through multimedia exhibits and historical archives, the museum captures the spirit and sacrifice of South Africa’s youth resistance.
Apartheid Museum
One of the top historical attractions in Johannesburg, the Apartheid Museum offers an immersive, emotional journey through South Africa’s struggle for freedom.
From interactive installations to chilling artifacts, it confronts visitors with the country’s painful past while celebrating its democratic triumphs.
Neighbourgoods market, Braamfontein
Every Saturday, food lovers descend on this urban market for craft beer, giant paella pans, and artisanal goods.
Located in a multi-story parking lot, the market is a beacon of Braamfontein’s creative resurgence and is a must-visit for those chasing Joburg’s street food scene.
Wits Art Museum
Adjacent to the University of the Witwatersrand, this contemporary museum features one of Africa’s richest collections of traditional and modern art.
It also frequently hosts global exhibitions. Entry is free, and the museum café is a well-kept secret for affordable gourmet meals.
Market theatre & Windybrow Arts centre
Founded at the height of apartheid in 1976, the Market Theatre broke barriers with mixed-race casts and politically charged productions.
Today, it showcases everything from classic South African plays to cutting-edge works. Its recent restoration of the Windybrow Theatre has revived another cultural landmark.
Carlton centre viewing deck
Standing 50 stories tall, the Carlton Centre remains the tallest building in Africa.
Its top-floor deck offers sweeping views of the Johannesburg skyline—from gold mine remnants to the iconic FNB Stadium.
A perfect spot for orientation and Instagram-worthy panoramas.
Yeoville dinner club
Located in a culturally rich immigrant district, this one-table restaurant blends flavors from across Africa.
The menu changes daily and diners are seated communally for an intimate culinary journey. It’s one of the most authentic food experiences in Johannesburg.
Liliesleaf farm
This historic site in Rivonia was once a safe house for anti-apartheid leaders.
Now a museum, it details the planning of the liberation movement and the famous Rivonia Trial that led to Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment.
It’s a sobering but essential stop on your Joburg itinerary.
Melville Koppies nature reserve
This rugged greenbelt in central Johannesburg offers over 150 hectares of trails, indigenous flora, and Iron Age archaeological sites.
It’s an ideal escape for hikers and nature lovers, offering panoramic views within earshot of urban life.
Arts on Main & Maboneng Precinct
Once derelict, Maboneng is now Johannesburg’s most walkable neighborhood—home to art studios, indie cinemas, boutique hotels, and sidewalk cafes.
Arts on Main kickstarted this renaissance, and the area continues to attract creatives and travelers alike. A Johannesburg must-visit for those interested in art and culture.
Oriental Plaza, Fordsburg
A chaotic, colorful maze of spice shops, tailors, and fabric vendors, Oriental Plaza is a sensory overload.
Built in the apartheid era as a business relocation site for Indian traders, it now draws locals and visitors seeking affordable prices and top-tier Indian cuisine.
Keyes Art Mile, Rosebank
This sleek stretch in the Rosebank district links top galleries like Everard Read and Goodman Gallery with chic cafes, rooftop restaurants, and boutiques.
On First Thursdays, the area transforms into a buzzing hub of art lovers, trendsetters, and Johannesburg’s elite.
Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium
For sports fans, no Johannesburg experience is complete without witnessing the electrifying Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Hosted at the 2010 World Cup’s calabash-shaped stadium, the event is a sensory explosion of music, costumes, and township pride.
JoburgPlaces walking tour
Led by historian and author Gerald Garner, these walking tours dive deep into Johannesburg’s urban renewal.
From rooftop bars to hidden historical sites, it’s the best way to explore the city’s transformation through an insider lens.
Old Chinatown, commissioners street
This historic district offers a quieter, more traditional Chinese experience than Cyrildene’s “new” Chinatown.
Look for dim sum at Ming Woo, a local secret with off-menu delicacies and a nostalgic nod to Johannesburg’s first wave of Chinese immigrants.
Ratz Bar, Melville
A long-standing LGBTQ+-friendly bar in the bohemian enclave of Melville, Ratz serves up 80s hits, hearty bar food, and unbeatable vibes. Perfect for a night out or pre-dinner drinks before exploring 7th Street’s cafes and bookstores.
