12+ City Sightseeing and Fun Things to Do in Johannesburg

April 14, 2022 Mustafa Natalwala 2988 Views

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 rides 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 rides, adventure parks, and more.

Johannesburg travel is a great blend of city sensations and natural wonders.

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Table of Contents

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 Museum of Transport

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. Wits University Origins Centre 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

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

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.

Image Reference

South Western Township (Soweto) – Jay Galvin / Flickr
Mandela House – Francisco Anzola / Flickr
Hector Pieterson Museum – Babak Fakhamzadeh / Flickr
Apartheid Museum – traveling.the.world / Flickr
Gold Reef City – J@M€S / Flickr
James Hall Museum of Transport – Ossewa / Wikimedia Commons
Liliesleaf Farm – Martinvl / Wikimedia Commons
Johannesburg Botanical Garden – Hentie Joubert / Wikimedia Commons
Lindfield Victorian House Museum –
Constitution Hill – flowcomm / Flickr
South African National Museum of Military History – Ossewa / Wikimedia Commons
Wits University Origins Centre Museum – Raymond June / Flickr
Museum Africa – South African Tourism / Flickr