One of the most popular travel hub in South Africa is Johannesburg due to it being the largest city in the country, you won’t struggle to catch a flight here any day of the week. While many travelers quickly jut off to the coast or to the safari after arriving, I implore you to stay a few extra days in Joburg to see all of the attractions and amazing foodie spots that the city has to offer.
Known as the “city of gold”, Johannesburg remains the financial capital of South Africa and offers a wide variety of activities to explore. Nci and I spent 15 days visiting his family and exploring the city to our heart’s content, and I can happily say that South Africa will be on my list to visit once again. To share our travel adventures, I have rounded up some of the best places to eat and things to do in Johannesburg.
How to Get to Johannesburg
Like I mentioned earlier, Johannesburg has a major airport called OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) where you’ll find the majority of flights traveling to South Africa come through. The other major airport in the country is Cape Town International Airport (CPT), but I find that it’s cheaper to fly directly into Johannesburg.
Depending on the season, you can expect to find flights ranging from $850 to $1500 round trip. To find the cheapest flights, I like using SkyScanner. Think of it like a flight search engine where it scans hundreds of websites to find the best ones based on your requirements.
Where to Stay & Getting Around
The best and easiest way to get around the city is by a rental car. As long as you stay in the city or on major roads, the roads are in pretty good condition. In South Africa, all of the road signs are in English, and the only big difference in terms of driving is that they drive on the left side. Also for any Americans reading this guide, South African drivers are so nice and polite! America could never haha.
Before renting a car, you’ll want to make you have a big enough limit on your credit card to handle the full cost of the rental car, including the security deposit. For our trip we paid less than $400 for a rental car for two weeks, but the security deposit was close to $1300.
Things to Do in Johannesburg
Hidden within the big city, you’ll find plenty of art scenes, historical sites, and some great views of the city. If you only have a few days in the City of Gold, choose a few items on the list that float your boat and enjoy your time to the fullest!
Apartheid Museum
One of the first things that I think any traveler, young or old, should do when visiting South Africa is to stop at the Apartheid Museum. It’s a must-see experience to really get a better picture and understanding of the history of the country. It’s definitely not an easy or happy experience, but a necessary one. The museum highlights the rise and fall of the white minority rule, or better known as apartheid. In the museum, you can find informative, graphic exhibits, bone- chilling footage, and other historical artifacts.
Due to COVID, the museum has been closed for almost a year now due to highly reduced levels of tourists and lack of school visits. Hopefully the museum will be open soon, and travelers can once again visit the museum.
Cradle of Humankind
Internationally recognized as being the place where humankind began, the Cradle of Humankind is a region in South Africa where 40% of fossils have been found. If you’re looking to learn more about the discoveries found in this area, then make a stop at Maropeng Visitor Center in the area. You may even catch a glimpse of the famous fossils, “Mrs Ples” and “Little Foot” who were discovered in the area.
Sterkfontein Caves
Less than 15 minutes away is the entrance to one of the thirteen active excavation called Sterkfontein Caves. This cave system is world famous for their fossils finds, including “Mrs Ples” and “Little Foot” who were both discovered in the cave system. To learn more about the historical area and the caves, you can book a tour through the caves. Before or after your adventure, you can eat at the restaurant or roam through the museum that is a part of the main building/entrance.
Be aware that is cave system is not for the weak hearted and is a lot of fun. It is still an active archaeological site so you may catch a glimpse of researchers digging in the background if you’re lucky. If you’re planning on doing Maropeng and the Sterkfontein caves in the same day, then I would recommend giving yourself at least 2 hours at the caves. The tour itself is a little over an hour and you’ll want to give yourself a little extra time to explore the museum and travel to Maropeng without rushing.
Visit a Market
For those that like to shop ‘til you drop, you’ll want to check out a market or a few while you’re in town as Joburg has some of the best shopping. Here are some of the markets that I recommend for different days of the week:
Fourways Farmer Market
Named as the prettiest market in Joburg, you’ll find this market bustling with visitors every weekend. It stays pretty busy and for good reasons. You’ll find a diverse range of food options and plenty of local artisans selling their unique goods. This farmers market is located right next to the Reserve Lake and a hiking trail. If you’re not super into hiking and are just looking for a stroll through the grasslands, then this is your trail.
Rosebank Sunday Market
Just like the name suggests, the Rosebank Sunday Market only operates on Sunday, and it’s located inside a shopping center’s parking lot. There are signs pointing you to the right floor of the parking lot in case you get a little lost like we did. At this market, you’ll find a mix of local small businesses stalls, flea market stands, and plenty of good food.
NeighbourGoods Market
We didn’t get a chance to stop at this market while we were in town, but from what I hear from the locals is that it’s a good one to visit. It only operates on Saturdays in the morning, regardless of the weather. Be ready to eat until your heart is content and your bag is filled with local goods that you definitely need.
Market on Main
Located in the artsy Maboneng precinct, Market on Main market is a mainstay in the area where you can find food, live music, and plenty of unique products. It’s considered one of the trendiest markets in Joburg. This market only operates on Sunday, and it’s currently closed due to COVID. Hopefully once the world returns to normal, Market On Main will be back better than ever.
Soweto
Short for South-Western Township, Soweto is a black urban settlement that was created during the apartheid era. The settlement was created by the white-run government to separate the blacks from the whites. The most famous location in Soweto that tourist like to see is Vilakazi Street, where Nelson Mandela used to live. His home is now a museum for tourists to explore and to learn more about the country’s painful history.
To see the Soweto Tours or Soweto, I would recommend going with a guided tour than by yourself. Wear plain clothes and no flashy jewelry if you do decide to venture to the area alone or with a small group.
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens
After seeing the popular waterfall on Instagram, I knew I had to add this destination to my list of things to do in Johannesburg. As one of the best escapes from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can stroll through the peaceful gardens, have a picnic, and take pictures of the hundreds of plants found in the gardens. On top of the waterfall, there is a pair of Verreaux eagles that you may be lucky enough to spot during your visit.
Harties Aerial Cableway
About 45 minutes away from Johannesburg, taking a trip to Hartbeespoort makes for a great day trip! The Harties Aerial Cableway is a cableway that takes visitors up to the top of Magaliesberg and offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding areas below. Once you reach the top, you’ll can walk along the Dassie Loop, an easy walking path that is dotted with educational signs. You’ll also find a restaurant, Kid Zone, pizza shack, and an ice cream stand if you’re feeling munchy while you take in the beautiful views.
Harties Dam
From the top of the Harties Aerial cableway, you might’ve been able to see the Harties Dam in the distance. If not, no worries it’s only an extra ten minutes drive up the road to get up close and personal with the dam. Enjoy a casual stroll across the dam or get adventurous with the multiple water activities that are offered such as parasailing, jet skiing, and even windsurfing.
Lion & Safari Park
Can’t make it to a regular safari on your trip to South Africa? Safaris can be expensive, long, and usually require a longer drive to the big national parks. Since Nci and I didn’t have time to do a safari during our trip, we decided to stop by the Lion & Safari Park, a great safari style alternative. It’s located in the same area as the Cradle of Humankind, the Harties Aerial Cableway, and the Harties Dam.
To see the park, you have a few different options such as the self drive, 1.5 hour safari ride, and the 3 hour one. I highly recommend the 3 hour one because you get a longer time seeing the animals and get the chance to see more of the park. You can also add on a cheetah and club interaction to your tour, but this wasn’t available when we went during COVID.
NorthCliff Ridge Eco Park
Want to get a 360 view of Johannesburg on a relaxing day out on the town? Stop by NorthCliff Ridge Eco Park, a mountaintop park which has the best views of the city especially at sunset.
A popular park by the locals, you can expect to see a crowd around peak hours such as sunrise and sunset, but don’t let that discourage from catching the view.
Where to Eat in Johannesburg
Surprisedly we stay almost on budget when it came to food. The day of arriving to our Airbnb, we went straight to the grocery store to pick up the necessities. Woolworth is the superior grocery store in South Africa (for my American followers think of it like the better mix of Trader Joes and a Target) – highly recommend checking it out. Otherwise we ate out a few times during our trip and here are our favorites spots:
Salvation Café
A city favorite is Salvation Café, a gem hidden within 44 Stanley. This café is the perfect spot for brunch and lunch, solo or with a group of friends. Nci and I stopped by this spot to meet up with a friend, and we thoroughly enjoyed our food. Highly recommend the pancakes if you’re like me and have a sweet tooth early in the morning.
Mug & Bean
Fight me if you want to, but Mug & Bean is so much better than Starbucks. Similar to Starbucks in the US, Mug & Bean can be found on just about every corner, mall, or gas station in South Africa. From breakfast to lunch to dessert, you really can’t go around with any of the menu options. I stopped by multiple times when we were visiting, and I have no regrets whatsoever.
Anti Social Social Club
The Anti Social Social Club is a trendy, Asian-inspired restaurant that is located on Melville’s popular 7thStreet. Grab some delicious food and even better tropical drinks at this popular restaurant. With the colorful lights and background, it’s a great place to snap a photo or two for Instagram.
Ocean Basket
You don’t have to go to the coast to get some amazing seafood in South Africa, you can find it at a local restaurant called Ocean Basket. This lovely establishment serves Mediterranean inspired dishes such as calamari, sushi, and plenty of cooked fish options. It’s a little on the expensive side compared to the other places in this guide, but it’s totally worth it.
Schwabinger Stuben
Schwabinger Stuben is a casual dining restaurant located in Ranburg, and the closest thing you’ll get to traditional German food in Johannesburg. I have to admit that I can never get over the taste of some good quality German food. While this place isn’t super traditional in terms of their offerings, its pretty close and pretty good too.
News Café
News Café is a local bar and restaurant that has both outdoor and inside seating. The indoor lounge has a dress code, but you can wear whatever you want for the outdoor area. From the drinks to the delicious food, it’s a must go for a lunch or dinner date. We ate here three different times on our trip, and we enjoyed it every single time. Our favs were the Thirsty B*tch cocktail and the lamb chops.
Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream
Want to grab some dessert after a delicious meal? Head on over to Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream for the best and trendiest ice cream in town. When Nci and I went, I grabbed the Choc Nutella Prep phic stick, ice cream on a stick with a hard chocolate outer layer, and a tub of the vegan dark chocolate. Both were delicious. They switch out their flavors pretty regularly so watch out for your new favorites.
Johannesburg is an essential stop of any South African trip and it’s easily a town that I would visit again. If you have any other tips or recommendations for a Johannesburg itinerary, leave a comment below. I’m looking forward to my next trip to South Africa!
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