JohannesburgTravel Guide

You’ll find the majority of the ultra-luxurious options in Joburg’s northern suburbs, including Sandton, Randburg and Bryanston. The Four Seasons Hotel: The Westcliff is a great example close to most of the city’s main attractions and offers two heated swimming pools and an onsite spa. African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel is perfectly positioned for travellers looking to dive head-first into lavish Joburg living, stationed right inside the uber-trendy Melrose Arch shopping precinct. 

With a restaurant, free private parking, a shared lounge, an outdoor pool and a manicured garden, Highgrove Guesthouse in Sandton is a lovely 4-star option if you’d prefer something smaller, simpler and more intimate. If staying in the eastern parts of Joburg, Bedfordview Boutique Lodge comes highly recommended and is located in walking distance from Eastgate Shopping Centre. 

Finally, how about barefoot luxury at its best? It’s always a good time to make your way to a restful haven on Joburg’s outskirts to experience “glamping” (glamorous camping).  

It’s the city’s trendiest neighbourhood, and you’d better believe that Maboneng is where the magic happens! Vibe with the local youngsters at Arts on Main – a creative hub and the perfect place for stocking up on locally made goodies and admiring works by local artists. From there, catch a film at The Bioscope (an independent movie theatre) or throw on your knee and elbow pads and sign up to tour the area on a skateboard: it’s the coolest way to soak up the urban street culture and mingle with the cool kids. Finally, end the day off sipping on a cocktail at a rooftop restaurant, revelling in the honeyed Joburg sunset as it spills over the city.  

Gold Reef City is undoubtedly the city’s favourite theme park, promising thrills for everyone. Along with 18 heart-stopping rides, 13 dedicated kiddies’ rides and the Jump City Trampoline Park, Gold Reef City is also a gamers’ go-to, featuring a casino where you – in the venue’s own words – “make your own luck”! Shout at the top of your lungs on the Anaconda rollercoaster, place your bets on a game of blackjack and then fill up on some delicious food to round things off.  

Delve deeper into South Africa’s history with stops at the Apartheid Museum, Mandela House and the Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial. The Apartheid Museum is packed full of permanent and temporary exhibitions serving as a history lesson about the country’s difficult past and its journey to peace and equality. The Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial pays homage to young Hector Pieterson and many other youths who were killed fighting for their rights during the Soweto Uprising of 1976. Finally, Mandela House, located in Soweto’s iconic Vilakazi Street, is a must-see for visitors looking to learn more about South Africa’s heritage and the Mandela family legacy.

While Cape Town is considered the “gourmet capital” of South Africa, Johannesburg is also blessed with more than her fair share of establishments dishing out five-star food. Parkhurst’s Café del Sol is always a treat for travellers with a penchant for Italian delights, while The Grillhouse, which has establishments in Rosebank, Melrose Arch and Sandton, is a favourite for meat lovers.  

Those sniffing out a truly world-class dining experience will definitely find DW Eleven - 13 to their taste. The restaurant specialises in experimental cuisine, serving up a variety of foodie favourites with unique twists and unexpected finishing touches. 

Street food is entrenched in South African culture. You’ll usually find a pop-up barbecue (called a braai) and an enthusiastic South African with a pair of tongs in hand outside every local supermarket on a sunny Saturday in summer. Alternatively, head to one of the markets or bustling downtown Johannesburg to sample street food from a street-food vendor such as an Indian bunny chow (a hollowed-out loaf of bread with a fragrant curry that’s been ladled into it). 

Joburgers love their, well, burgers. And slap chips (crispy on the outside and soft on the inside). In short, you don’t have tol go far to find some fast comfort food. Be sure to check out Wandies in Soweto for buffet-style African cuisine or make a stop at a Kota Joe roadhouse for a mind-blowing milkshake (you don’t get anything more proudly South African than the Zoo Biscuit shake).

In that case, you might want to make a beeline for Nelson Mandela Square, an upmarket shopping centre in Sandton, arguably Johannesburg’s most sophisticated suburb. Here, you’ll find a variety of stylish boutiques and outlets that will have you feeling very swipe-happy indeed.  

If shopping malls just aren’t your vibe and you’re in the mood to check out a local market instead, you can’t go wrong with a stop at the crafty and creative Bryanston Organic Market or Fourways Farmers’ Market.  

Looking for that middle ground? Melville’s 27 Boxes is a hipsters’ playground and an interesting mashup of a quirky marketplace and a traditional lifestyle centre.  

Finally, don’t forget to add Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve to your daily to-dos and must-sees. Despite being just 10km away from the heart of Joburg, it’s where you’ll find a rich diversity of large game like zebra and black wildebeest, especially if you’re not averse to breaking a sweat. The reserve boasts plenty of challenging hiking trails and there’s a decent chance you’ll bump into a herd of animals if you’re stealthy enough.  

Remember to take care when enjoying Mother Nature’s many gifts – she’s known to dish out some tough love for those who get a little too brave or forget to watch their footing! 

Yet another natural haven not far from central Joburg is The Wilds Nature Reserve stretching across 16 hectares and found just on the outskirts of the suburb of Houghton. The evergreen park is best known for its footpaths and fountains. 

Zoo Lake Park doesn’t require hours on the road to reconnect with nature. Pull on your walking shoes and trek along the well-kept walking paths or rent a rowing boat if you don’t mind potentially going for a “refreshing” dip in the lake.  

You can’t talk about things to do in Johannesburg without mentioning the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden, home to 240 species of birds, flourishing flora and plenty of little creatures flitting and scuttling about. It’s also the perfect picnic spot if you’re keen to whip out your blanket, treat yourself to some snacks and soak up the sunshine.