Places to Visit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa
Johannesburg is the largest city of South Africa and functions as the capital of the opulent province of the country, Gauteng. It holds the highest economy among any Sub-Saharan African metropolitan regions. Johannesburg is home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa and is internationally recognized as the gold mine capital of the world, with its prosperous gold and diamond resources. Johannesburg is also renowned by holding the largest and busiest airport in Africa, O.R. Tambo International Airport. Johannesburg offers dozens of attractions for visitors, mainly museums that showcases the complete and grand history of Johannesburg’s gold mining.
History of Johannesburg:
San people were the indigenous people of Johannesburg, who acquired the surrounding regions of what is the location of today’s Johannesburg. Until the discovery of gold mine in 1880s, Johannesburg had remained as a town and the discovery completely changed its strategic value, promoted as the wealthiest and largest city of South Africa. Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg was the site of the 2010 FIFA World Cup final.
How to reach Johannesburg?
The O.R. Tambo International Airport is the most important airport of Johannesburg. Including Mumbai, New York, London, Frankfurt and Singapore, the airport covers all the important world cities. The airport is situated around 40 km away from the centre of Johannesburg city.
Johannesburg is connected by both bus and train to all the major South African cities, including Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
Some car rental companies in Johannesburg include:
- First Car Rental
- Pace Car Rental
- Europcar Car Hire
Culture, Food and Shopping in Johannesburg:
Johannesburg hosts two highly recognized universities in Africa, the University of the Witwatersrand and University of Johannesburg.
Famous traditional market, African Craft Market is situated on Cnr Cradock and Baker Street in Johannesburg. Some popular restaurant sites of Johannesburg are Greenside, Melville, Norwood and Emmarentia.
What to do in Johannesburg?
- Gold mines tour
- Township Tour
- Sophiatown Heritage Tours
- Shopping
What to see in Johannesburg?
Johannesburg Art Gallery:
The Johannesburg Art Gallery is located at Joubert Park and is considered as the biggest art gallery in the continental Africa, exhibits artworks belonging both local and international artists. No entry fee.
Top of Africa:
The Top of Africa is the tallest building in Africa, situated on 150 Commissioner Street in Johannesburg. It can be climbed through a guide tour between 8AM and 7PM every day. Worth a trip.
Mandela Family Museum:
The Mandela Family Museum is a must visit museum in Johannesburg as it was the first house of the great personality, Mandela, now it has been turned into a museum to showcase the life history of Mandela with his belongings.
Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens:
The Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens is situated few kilometers away from the city centre of Johannesburg, home to a wide range of bird species, including the endangered Black Eagle. Entrance fee is R25.
Old Kromdraai Gold Mine:
The Old Kromdraai Gold Mine was one of the first gold mines to be discovered in Johannesburg. Visitors are allowed with an entrance fee of R1165. The mine is situated around 20 minute drive from the city centre.
Other places of interest in Johannesburg include:
- Workers Museum
- Ferreira’s Mine
- Gold Reef City
- Montecasino Bird Gardens
- Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
- Lesedi Cultural Village
- Lion Park
- Constitution Hill
- Absa Money Museum
- The Apartheid Museum
- Chérie De Villiers Gallery
- James Hall museum of Transport
When to visit Johannesburg?
Johannesburg features a subtropical highland climate with sunny days year round. The best time to visit Johannesburg is from May to August.
Where to stay in Johannesburg?
Being one of the leading commercial and tourism centre of South Africa, Johannesburg houses dozens of world class hotels with superior facilities and services. Here are some recommended hotels in Johannesburg:
- Tintswalo at Waterfall
- The Peech Hotel
- 54 on Bath
- The Residence Boutique Hotel
- African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel
- The Winston Hotel
- Thaba Eco Hotel
- Premiere Classe Suites
- Valverde Country Hotel
- 10 2nd Avenue Houghton Estate
- Genesis Suites and Conferencing
- Westpoint Executive Suites
- Garden Court Eastgate
- Southern Sun Gold Reef City Hotel
- Garden Court Morningside Sandton