Johannesburg, also known as JBH, Jozi or Joburg is the largest city in South Africa. It is also known as the City of Gold. Some of the best things to do in Johannesburg include exploring history, art galleries, jungle safari, adventure sports, African cultural experiences and nature trails.
There are two aspects of history that can be explored in the city. One is that of Apartheid history and struggle and there are numerous Johannesburg tourist attractions dedicated to it. The city was the ground for several atrocities and revolutionary moments. You can visit places of the events as well as museums during Johannesburg sightseeing. The other part is the general history of African politics, culture and people. There are museums and cultural centers to explore this aspect of South African history. The cultural engagement villages are some of the best places to visit in Johannesburg as you get to not only witness but also indulge in the experience.
The city also has a very interesting art scene, especially for indigenous African art. There are several galleries among places to see in Johannesburg. If you are looking to purchase African art or handicraft items, there are several fun places to go in Johannesburg including markets, malls, handicraft centers, galleries and souvenir shops.
One of the top activities to do in Johannesburg is Wildlife Safari. There are quite a few National Parks and Nature Reserves close to the city for this experience. Besides roaming the savanna in a jeep, you can also go for boat ride and balloon ride tours. Besides safari there are several other fun things to do in Joburg for those who enjoy the outdoors. You can explore nature trails on foot, go bungee jumping, enjoy plane rides, paragliding ride, adventure parks and more.
Johannesburg travel is a great blend of city sensations and natural wonders.
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The Best 12+ Tourist Places to Visit in Johannesburg in 2 Days (Trip Itinerary)
Day 1
1. South West Township (Soweto)
Start your Johannesburg sightseeing with site of one of the most significant historical struggles of South Africa. This neighbourhood was the center of great pain and struggle during the apartheid period. I suggest you can go for half day tour of Soweto.
2. Mandela House
The family home of South Africa’s legendary leader is among the best places to visit in Johannesburg. You will get to learn much about his family, life and work at this house museum. It will require an hour from Johannesburg travel to explore. I suggest you can book Mandela Legacy Day Tour
3. Hector Pieterson Museum
This museum is dedicated to black students who played an important role during the uprising against apartheid. It is among the most sentimental things to see in Johannesburg. The museum tells the story of their struggles and their movement. You will need 30 to 45 minutes for this museum. I suggest you can book Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial tour
4. Apartheid Museum
This museum focuses on one of the most cruel periods in South African History. It showcases the suffering of the people and the rebellions which overturned this law. It is one of the most important Johannesburg tourist attractions to visit. It will take you an hour or so to explore this museum.
If you like learn and know more about South African history then I suggest you should book an Apartheid Museum Tour
5. Gold Reef City
This amusement park tops the list of fun things to do in Johannesburg, South Africa. The park features entertainment venues, rides, games, theatre, casinos and more. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying here when you visit Johannesburg.
I suggest you can combine your Soweto Tour with Gold Reef City
6. James Hall Transport Museum
This museum is dedicated to means and modes of road transport. You will get to see several historical vehicles and also learn about their history. It is among interest based Johannesburg attractions and will take about an hour to explore.
Day 2
1. Liliesleaf Farm
This is among historically significant places to see in Johannesburg. It was the place where leaders of African National Congress were arrested before Rivonia Trial. You will need an hour or so to explore it.
2. Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
This garden is home to a large variety of fauna brought in from various parts of the world. It is also a good attraction to enjoy some outdoor activities in Johannesburg. You can stroll in greenery to relax after a hectic day of sightseeing. It would take an hour or so to explore these gardens.
3. Lindfield Victorian House Museum
For those interested in antique items and interiors, this museum is among the most fun places to go in Johannesburg. It is dedicated to a vast collection of items from the Victorian Era. You will need an hour for this museum.
4. Constitution Hill
This place used to be a military fort and was also used as a prison. It has been used to imprison some of the most well known South African people including Nelson Mandela. City sightseeing of Johannesburg is incomplete without a visit to the Constitution Hill. You will need an hour for this former prison.
I suggest you can combine your Apartheid Museum Tour with Constitution Hill
5. South African National Museum of Military History
As the name suggests, this museum is dedicated to the history of military, conflicts and weapons of South Africa. It is among fun things to do in jhb. You will need about an hour for this museum.
6. Origins Center Museum
This museum is dedicated to the history of modern mankind and is the only museum of its kind. It is one of the most fascinating things to see in Johannesburg. You will need an hour or so for this museum.
7. Museum Africa
This museum takes people on a journey to explore various aspects of Africa’s past. It is one of the most important Johannesburg tourist attractions to understand the people, culture and politics of the region. You will need an hour or two for this museum.
If you are looking for more fun things to do in Joburg, check out the sections below.
Things to do in Johannesburg
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Johannesburg
- Apartheid Museum
- Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct
- Mandela’s House
- Cradle of Human Kind
- Hector Pieterson Memorial
- South African National Museum of Military History
- Museum Africa
- Wits Art Museum
- Everard Read
- James Hall Museum of Transport
- Wits University Origins Center
- Goodman Gallery
- MOMO Art Gallery
- Lindfield Victorian House Museum
- Credo Mutwa Cultural Village
- South African Airways Museum Society
- Standard Bank Gallery
- Regina Mundi Catholic Church
- Wits Planetarium
- Absa Money Museum
- Constitutional Court of South Africa
- Dakota Association of South Africa
- Turbine Art Fair
- The Worker’s Museum
- Hillbrow Tower
- Innesfree Park
- Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Museum
- Johannesburg Heritage Foundation
- Kim Sacks Gallery and Ceramics Craft Art
- Wits Alder Museum
- Oppenheimer Tower
- In Toto Gallery
- Spaza Art Gallery
- The Old Fort
- Johannesburg City Hall
- Ke Ditselana Tourism and Multi-Cultural Village
- Anglo Boer War Memorial
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Johannesburg
- Melville Koppies Nature Reserve
- Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
- The Wilds Nature Reserve
- Modderfontein Reserve
- Emmarentia Dam
- Northcliff Hill
- Northcliff Ridge Eco Park
- Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary
- Albert’s Farm
- The Wilds Nature Reserve
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Johannesburg
- Gold Reef Theme Park
- Johannesburg Zoo
- Montecasino
- Lion and Safari Park
- Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
- Sci Bono Discovery Center
- Zoo Lake
- Delta Park
- James and Ethel Gray Park
- Gold Reef City Casino
- Tower of Terror Roller Coaster
- Glendower Golf Club
- Mushroom Farm Park
- Gillooly’s Farm Park
- Huddle Park Golf and Recreation
- Rhodes Park
- Dorothy Nyembe Park
- Thokoza Park
- The Playground
- Gerakaris Family Wines
- Santorama Miniland
- Acrobranch Huddle Park
- Mofolo Park
- Bezuidenhout Park
- Benthurst Gardens
- Roll Egoli
- Kids World and Waterpark
- Len Rutter Park
- Hashtag Escape
Shopping in Johannesburg
- Neighbour Goods Market
- Diagonal Street
- Sandton City Shopping Center
- Rosebank Sunday Market
- East Rand Mall
- Westgate Shopping Center
- Carlton Corner
- The Factory on Grant
- Maboneng Precinct
- Rosebank Mall
- Kerk Street
- Fourways Farmer’s Market
- Clearwater Mall
- Circa Gallery
- African Craft Market
- East Gate Shopping Center
- Newtown Junction
- Cradlestone Mall
- Arts on Main
- Oriental Plaza
- Fourways Mall
- Cresta Shopping Center
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure Activities to Do in Johannesburg
- Hiking
- Bicycle Tours
- Jungle Safari
- Ice Skating
- Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Cave Exploration
- Zip Line
- Boat Safari
- Base Jumping
- Bungee Jumping
- Fishing
- Paragliding
Sightseeing in Johannesburg
- Soweto Towers
- Carlton Center
- Vilakazi Street
- Nelson Mandela Bridge
- Arts on Main
- Top of Africa
- Gandhi Square
- Mary Fitzgerald Square
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Johannesburg
- Cafe del Sol
- Urbanologi
- DW 11-13
- Gemelli Cucina Bar
- District Six Eatery
- Roots
- Five Hundred
- Matble
- Koi
- Signature
- Mythos
- Thava
- Tasha’s
- Cafe Billi Bi
- The Grillhouse
- La Boqueria
- Wombles
- The Green Peppercorn
Where to Stay in Johannesburg?
Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-range and Budget Hotels in Johannesburg. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Johannesburg.
Luxurious Hotels
- 54 on Bath
- Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch
- The Winston Hotel
- African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel, Autograph Collection
- Hyatt Regency Johannesburg
- Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg
- The Residence Boutique Hotel
- The Houghton Hotel, Spa, Wellness & Golf
- Riboville Boutique Hotel & Restaurant
- Southern Sun Gold Reef City Hotel
Mid-Range Hotels
- Protea Hotel Fire & Ice Johannesburg Melrose Arch
- Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel
- The Capital on Bath
- Holiday Inn Johannesburg – Rosebank, an IHG Hotel
- Garden Court Milpark
- Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank
- Pablo House
- The Capital Melrose
- Villa Simonne Boutique Hotel
- 58 On Hume
Budget Hotels
- The Reef Hotel
- Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton
- Grand View B&B
- Life on 3rd
- Margaret’s Place
- Melville Turret Guest House
- Valverde Country Hotel
- Lucky Bean Guesthouse
- Stayeasy Eastgate
- Rosebank Lodge Guest House
Custom Tours Package in Johannesburg
How to Reach Johannesburg?
By Air
O.R. Tambo International Airport is your fastest option for Johannesburg travel. You can get direct flights from Brussels, Beijing, Shenzhen, Paris, Mauritius, Lagos, Cape Town, Durban, London, Hong Kong, Dublin, Frankfurt, Atlanta, Cairo, Tel Aviv, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Nairobi, Amsterdam, Zanzibar, Doha, Sydney, Jeddah, Singapore, Zurich, Istanbul and many more.
The airport is connected to the city by train, buses and cabs. You can also get Johannesburg city sightseeing tour buses directly from the airport. The Gautrain will take you to Sandton in Johannesburg.
By Road
The train network connects you to several major cities in South Africa including Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley and more. The bus network is far more widespread and you can reach Johannesburg from almost any village, town or city in South Africa.
If you are planning to visit Johannesburg by road, you should head for routes N1, N3, N4, N12 or N14.
By Water
Being a landlocked city, there are no direct water routes to Johannesburg.
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