Things to do and see in Johannesburg

Despite the passing years, there are events that remain marked in the collective unconscious and that decide the course of history. There are cities in which this mark is very visible and walking their streets, visiting their monuments and meeting their people can help us to better understand history. One such place is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s must-see cities: Johannesburg.

Johannesburg is a city of uprisings, of fighters and where the beauty of the golden and green tones of this region, intermingle with the echoes of the past, in which important figures such as Gandhi, Mandela or Desmond Tutu left their skin to fight for the rights of millions of people. Strolling through the streets of Johannesburg is such a vivid glimpse into the past that seems to transport you back to the years of Apartheid. If you read on, we’ll take you on this walking tour where we’ll explain everything you can do and see in Johannesburg.

What are the best places to see in Johannesburg?

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

1. Constitution Hill, a historic place to see in Johannesburg

While Johannesburg sometimes gets little love or attention from travellers who set their eyes on South Africa, there are plenty of places to wander around, steeped in history and offering a different view of this untamed country. Among the must-see sites in Johannesburg, one that stands out is Constitution Hill, which today houses South Africa’s Constitutional Court.

This building, which today houses such an important body as the court, is actually a prison where Gandhi was imprisoned many years ago, as well as other important political figures of South Africa’s modern era (such as Mandela) who also spent time here. We highly recommend to visit, as it’s not always possible to visit the headquarters of official bodies.

At the start of the visit you will enter the Old Ford, which compiles a whole exhibition in the different rooms of what was the main prison building. There you will find a complete and extensive classification of the most relevant information of the historical events that took place. After the Old Ford, you will enter the main court building, which is a breath of South African history. It is truly impressive how a building that was once a prison now houses this court.

The guided tour is a must if you decide you want to see this mythical enclave of Johannesburg. The guides will explain in great detail the succession of historical events, curiosities and details that you can find here. Constitution Hill is open daily and costs between R50 and R300.

2. The Apartheid Museum

To continue South Africa’s fascinating history, there is another extremely important monument to see in Johannesburg. This building holds the weight of the country’s history and the events that shaped the course of an entire country (and affected virtually the entire world). It is the Apartheid Museum, one of the most important landmarks in all of Johannesburg.

As with Constitution Hill, the guided tour is highly recommended, as you can learn in great detail all sorts of facts relevant not only to the history of the country, but to many of the events that occurred around the globe. It’s a really well-organised tour, approached in a different way that you’re sure to find interesting.

Depending on the role you’re assigned upon entry, you’ll be taken on a different route, expressing what life was like for each ethnic group during Apartheid. If you travel with a companion, you can better compare these two immersive experiences. It is truly impressive how much effort is put into faithfully reproducing the reality of the time. To get the most out of it, we recommend a two- to three-hour tour, which runs from 9am to 5pm daily and costs around 95 rand.

3. Soweto, a unique suburb to visit in Johannesburg

Whether you’ve visited the Apartheid Museum or not, there’s one must-visit place you can’t miss and that’s the spectacular Soweto Township. This neighbourhood is a must-see in Johannesburg if you want to understand even better the history of the city and the devastating effects of Apartheid on the entire country.

This huge suburb was once a separate village from the city of Johannesburg, home to the vast majority of black people who had to isolate themselves during the Apartheid process from the 1970s to the mid-1990s. The birthplace of great figures such as Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, you can still visit the homes of these people who shaped the course of the whole of South Africa today.

But the list of things to see in this Johannesburg suburb is extensive and we don’t want you to miss a thing on your visit. If you do, we recommend a visit to the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, which was an important meeting place for the locals and was in the eye of the storm during Johannesburg’s political upheavals. Today it is still one of the city’s main cultural attractions, so don’t hesitate to visit it.

Another must-see is the Hector Pieterson memorial museum, which honours the actions of students in Soweto throughout the Apartheid years. Hector was a victim of police repression during various riots in the 1970s. You can also visit Orlando Towers, a now-abandoned power station decorated with graffiti, which has become an iconic and unforgettable landmark.

4. Soccer City Stadium

Away from the more historically and politically charged parts of the city, Johannesburg is also home to other noteworthy venues, such as the iconic Soccer City Stadium. This stadium is the Mecca of football in Johannesburg, where football fans can relive such epic moments as Spain’s victory in the 2010 World Cup.

It was inaugurated in 1989 and over the years has become a reference point in the world of football for all Africans. As well as being the place where the magic happened for the Spaniards after an endless match in 2010, it has also been a place of historical reference, where Nelson Mandela gave his first rally in 1990 and where his funeral was held in 2013.

What to see in and around Johannesburg?

Liliesleaf Farm

If you’ve enjoyed all there is to do and see in stunning Johannesburg, we recommend a trip to the Liliesleaf Farm, on the outskirts of the city and the site of important events in the development of South Africa’s history. It was here that Mandela and all his supporters gathered on numerous occasions during the Apartheid period.

There is a museum in the farm space, where you have a detailed exhibition of the events of that time in a variety of audio-visual formats. It’s a museum that’s not very crowded compared to other tourist attractions in Johannesburg, but it’s no less important for that. It is located near Sandton, Johannesburg’s financial district, approximately 20 minutes from the city centre and can be reached in several ways, as it is quite accessible.

What to see in Johannesburg in 1 day?

Johannesburg is a city steeped in history, which lends itself to exploring every nook and cranny of its landscape in detail. To make sure you don’t miss any of the must-see things to see in just one day in the city, we’ve put together a series of recommendations for your visit.

On the one hand, we recommend a visit to the main buildings and monuments that speak to the most important events of Apartheid, such as Constitution Hill and the Apartheid Museum. These are two must-sees on your list of things to see. If you want to continue soaking up the city’s history, take a stroll through the Soweto neighbourhood to discover places with a lot to say. But if you’re in the mood for a unique location for football fans, you can swap any of the above for a visit to Soccer City Stadium.

Where to stay in Johannesburg?

As we know that planning everything that goes into a trip is tiring and to make your stay much more enjoyable, we’ve put together a list of some accommodation for your days in Johannesburg:

• Mapungubwe Apartments: One of the most centrally located flats in all of Johannesburg, with everything you need to enjoy a perfect experience during your stay. Prices are around €78 for two nights.
• Amazing Joburg views & Unique CBD Luxury Experience: An flat with luxurious facilities, comfortable accommodation and a price of around €105 for a weekend.
• The Franklin Luxury-Deluxe Suites: Luxurious flats with everything you need for a dream holiday in an enviable location. Prices are around €180 for a weekend.

Where and what to eat in Johannesburg?

South Africa’s cuisine is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of travelling to the country. That’s why we’ve put together a recommendation of a few places to enjoy it on your visit to Johannesburg:

• Mozambik Linksfield:If there’s one restaurant you can’t miss in Johannesburg, it’s Linksfield, a perfect place to enjoy all things South African, with a special focus on seafood.
• Ristorante La Trinita: Enjoy Mediterranean food and a good pizza in Johannesburg, as there are such noteworthy eateries as La Trinita, a renowned Italian restaurant in the city.
• Quills: One of the most glamorous dining options in Johannesburg is Quills restaurant, where the food of Europe shines, with home-grown options.

What should I consider before travelling to Johannesburg?

• The official currency of South Africa is the South African Rand
• They accept cards at most tourist sites.
• Tipping 10% is the norm.
• The best time to travel to Johannesburg is April to May or October and November.
• Tap water is safe to drink in Johannesburg and the country’s major cities.
• It’s best to hire a car to get around South Africa
• The time is the same as in Spain, except when we change the time.
• There are many languages spoken in the country, with English being the second official language, so you’ll be able to communicate in English without any problems.
• If you are travelling as a Spanish citizen, you will only need a valid passport with an expiry date greater than 30 days from departure.
• Hedge against medical emergencies: travel insured
• Tourist sites are generally safe, but just in case, be careful with your belongings and try to avoid travelling at night.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Johannesburg?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all the possibilities.

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• There are card-only restaurants.
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Johannesburg.

If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can consult our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about travelling to Johannesburg