A Guide to Johannesburg: What to Do and Where to Stay

If you're looking for the ultimate adventure, look no further than Johannesburg. This city has it all: great food, awesome nightlife and plenty of history. As one of Africa's most culturally diverse cities with a lively arts scene, there is never a dull moment in Joburg! But don't worry if you're not sure where to start your journey - we've got some top tips on what to do and where to stay while you're there.

The best neighbourhoods to visit in Johannesburg

Sandton

Sandton is the financial district of Johannesburg

Sandton is the financial district of Johannesburg, so it’s one of the best places to stay if you’re travelling for business. But it’s convenient for leisure travellers, too – not least because it can be reached in just fifteen minutes from O.R. Tambo International Airport on the Gautrain. It’s also home to the Sandton City shopping mall, with its 300-odd stores.

The Protea Hotel Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton is a country-style hotel among sleek high-rises. With a swimming pool and lush gardens, it offers a real retreat from the city. If you’ve had a long flight or a busy day and don’t fancy going out for dinner, just drop into the Bull Run Restaurant for a South African steak – that said, Sandton has lots of great places to eat, many of which are within walking distance of the hotel.

In the south of Sandton is Melrose Arch, a development with office spaces, shops, hotels and pavement cafés. Staying at the four-star Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch gives you access to all the attractions and facilities of buzzing Melrose Arch, plus the hotel’s beautiful outdoor pool.

Braamfontein

Braamfontein is one of the hippest places to visit in Johannesburg

Gritty inner-city Joburg has more of a cool urban vibe than suburbs like glitzy Sandton. Braamfontein is one of the neighbourhoods that make up the city centre. With loads of interesting things to do, it’s one of the hippest places to visit in Johannesburg.

Being close to a couple of the city’s universities, Braam – as it’s often known – has a lot of fun things to do and places to visit. Drop in for a drink or two at Kitchener’s, the second oldest bar in Joburg, which first opened in 1906 as a grand hotel. Traditional British-style pub by day, Kitchener’s turns up the sound system come nightfall, with live music sessions or DJs spinning Afrobeats.

Drop into the Wits Art Museum, which has a big collection of work by African artists – currently there are more than 5000 artworks in the museum – then take advantage of the free local shuttle service from the Protea Hotel JHB Parktonian All Suite and spend the rest of the day chilling by the rooftop pool.

Rosebank

If you’re looking for alternative things to do, Rosebank is one of the best places to visit in Johannesburg. The area – north of the city centre and south of Sandton – is home to the Keyes Art Mile, where you’ll find major galleries such as Everard Read / CIRCA.

The area’s not short on great places to eat, either. Reserve a table at Marble, one of Joburg’s most popular restaurants and a top place to watch the sunset with a cocktail. The menu is fancy steakhouse with a dash of fine-dining creativity.

Stay at the Protea Hotel Johannesburg Wanderers to be within easy reach of Rosebank and its handy Gautrain station, which makes for quick transport to and from O.R. Tambo airport. The hotel is in the grounds of the Wanderers Club, the city’s oldest sports club, established in 1888 – guests have full membership during their stay, which includes restaurant discounts.

Soweto

Soweto is one of the most historic places in South Africa

Soweto stands for South Western Townships and is one of the most historic places in South Africa. This cluster of townships – including Orlando East and West, two of the best-known – has fostered some of the most famous and influential anti-apartheid activists, politicians, and entrepreneurs in the country. Vilakazi Street, for example, is the only street in the world on which two Nobel Peace Prize winners have lived (Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu).

Join the local guides at Lebo’s Soweto for a cycling tour around the area, visiting some of the most significant sites, including the Hector Pieterson memorial (visit the museum to learn more about the 1976 Soweto Uprising and Vilakazi Street, where you can enter the Mandela House museum.

If you’re looking for more unique things to do in Joburg, book a bungee jump off the Soweto cooling towers – two 33-storey towers covered in colourful murals. Most Johannesburg hotels will be able to organise a tour and transport to Soweto for you.

Go deeper

Johannesburg is known for traffic – factor this in when you’re travelling around the city. The Gautrain is a speedy way to get from the airport into the northern suburbs, such as Sandton. It’s often the same price as a taxi, but you’ll bypass the traffic.

Published: July 26, 2022