Best Travel Guide Johannesburg

JohannesburgGuide was updated: 2024-09-11

Vibrant, ever-changing, multi-faceted Johannesburg flings contrast at you from every angle. Trees line streets where houses hide their manicured gardens and pristine blue swimming pools behind high white walls, miles of shacks tell of the effects of the apartheid years — still to be overcome. The air of Africa’s most dynamic city vibrates with music and buzzes with business while its stylish restaurants, elegant shops, art galleries, and theatres delight the international visitor.

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Facts

Population:	5.6 million
Currency:	1 Rand (ZAR) = 100 cents
Emergency Numbers:	Jo’burg Connect +27 11 375 5911 (Accidents, Fire, Medical, Crime) 10111 Police 10177 Ambulance
Newspapers:	The Star (Johannesburg’s oldest English-language daily newspaper, has a Tonight listings supplement) — www.iol.co.za/the-star Mail & Guardian (has extensive What’s On listings) — mg.co.za The Sowetan — www.sowetanlive.co.za City Press — www.news24.com/citypress Business Day — www.businesslive.co.za
Website:	www.joburg.org.za »
Opening Hours:	Mall shopping hours are generally from 9 am until 5 pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 9 am 2 pm on Sundays. Most museums and galleries are closed on Mondays.
Tourist Information:	Gauteng Tourism Authority 124 Main Street, Johannesburg +27 11 085 2500 www.gauteng.net info@gauteng.net

Do & See

The city built on gold has seen its yellow mine dumps recycled, and replaced by towering skyscrapers and glitzy shopping malls. The history of the not too distant apartheid history is remembered in superb new museums.

Apartheid Museum

The Johannesburg Apartheid Museum details the events of the 20th century, a notoriously dark time in South African history when a system of racial segregation and oppression was in place in the country. A visit to the museum helps shed light on the past, as well as the state of the nation's society today.

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Joziburg Lane

Joziburg Lane, the hip space in the ground floor of One Eloff building, is a modern development and cool hangout space frequented by Joburg residents. Filled with art galleries, eateries, coffee shops and bars, it's a great place to be any time of day. JoburgPlaces walking tours start from here Tuesday through Saturday at 9 am.

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Old Fort & Constitution Hill

The site of an infamous prison reborn as the superb Constitutional Court, art gallery and museum. The history of Constitution Hill dates back to 1892; a prison turned military defence post during the South African War. These buildings were known as "the Fort", and have through the years incarcerated the likes of Mahatma Gandhi. In 1964 the Fort was declared a National Monument, and in the late 90's it was chosen the new Constitutional Court.

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Museum Africa

From rock art to the struggle against apartheid, Africa’s history is well presented at Museum Africa, taking visitors on a journey through the creation of the first civilizations and places like Kemet (Egypt), Punt (Somalia), Kush (Sudan) and Nubia (southern Egypt).

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Soweto Township

This township is a must for anyone visiting the city of Johannesburg. Major sights include Vilakasi Street, where the Mandelas once lived — their little house is now a museum. Check out Archbishop Tutu's home, the Hector Pieterson Museum, dedicated to the 1976 student uprisings, and Regina Mundi church, which also bears its resistance scars. Eat at Sakhumzi’s, the Italian-style Nambitha, or trendy Wandi’s Place. An overnight stay in one of the excellent B&Bs could prove the highlight of your trip.

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Gold Reef City

The Gold Reef City is a theme park with a casino, rides and a giant roller coaster, all on a former gold mine. Museums and craft shops are housed in replica buildings of the 1890 gold rush days, tours go deep into the tunnels around the Number 14 shaft. See traditional miners’ gumboot dancing in the theatre.

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