Today we’re providing you with our best Johannesburg tips. Many people give Johannesburg in South Africa a wide berth. Once the plane lands, they might sleep one more night there before picking up a rental car and driving off. Johannesburg is the ideal starting point for tours to the Drakensberg, the Krüger National Park, the Pilanesberg National Park, and the Panorama Route.

Just a few years ago, Johannesburg was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world. No wonder many still avoid it today. But little by little, the country’s unofficial capital grew, becoming more colorful and lively. “Jozi,” as Johannesburg is called, is full of surprises. You should definitely pay the city a visit during your South Africa trip.

What else you should know

• Best time to travel to South Africa
• Currency in South Africa
• Entry & Visa
• Krüger National Park South Africa

• Garden Route South Africa
• Cape Town Sights
• Panorama Route & Blyde River Canyon
• Northern Cape Round Trip

• What else you should know
• 1. Why Johannesburg?
• 2. Johannesburg Tips – Arrival & Entry
• 3. From the Airport to the City
• 4. Accommodation in Johannesburg
• 5. Sights in Johannesburg
• 6. Markets in Johannesburg
• 7. Tours through Johannesburg
• 8. Restaurants & Cafés
• 9. Safety in Johannesburg
• 10. General Information

1. Why Johannesburg?

We still remember the days when Johannesburg was one of the most dangerous cities in the world. And on my (Bolle) first visit in 2013, I gave this city a wide berth. Why? Because I was simply scared. Luckily, Marco and I gave the city a first chance in 2016. Back then, we stayed in a cool hostel for the first few days and explored the city a bit. Since our last trip (February 2019), we’ve even taken Jozi into our hearts.

Because things are happening; the city is changing. Of course, there are still many spooky corners, but there are also more and more places that are fun and worth visiting. If you also delve into the history of the city and the country, you’ll better understand Jozi and all its problems. We will definitely come back to Johannesburg and are already excited to see what will change by then.

2. Johannesburg Tips – Arrival & Entry

Most tourists arrive in South Africa via Johannesburg or Cape Town. It simply depends on your travel route in the country. If you want to explore the Panorama Route and the Krüger Park, it’s best to fly to Johannesburg and continue by car from there. The Garden Route is easier to reach from Cape Town. We’ve almost always entered via Johannesburg and set off from there in all directions. Flights to Jozi are usually a bit cheaper, too.

There are direct flights from Frankfurt with Lufthansa and South African Airways. South African Airways also flies from Munich. We have flown to South Africa with both airlines and were satisfied both times. We only didn’t like the food at SAA and the outdated entertainment program. Otherwise, the planes always arrived on time. We also once flew from Rome to Johannesburg with Ethiopian Airlines, with a stopover in Addis Ababa. Here, too, we were really satisfied: excellent service and punctuality. Update 05/2020: SAA is approaching insolvency and closure.

If you’re coming from Switzerland, you can fly directly to Jozi with Swiss, from Amsterdam with KLM, and from Paris with Air France. From London, you can fly directly to the metropolis with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, or South African Airways. Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and Air Namibia also fly to South Africa with a stopover at their home airport. Generally, you can find flight connections from almost all German airports, some direct and some with a stopover. Flights are available for under €400 with a stopover. Direct flights are available for under €600. As you can see, flights to South Africa aren’t that expensive anymore.

3. From the airport to the city

There are several ways to get to Johannesburg city center from the airport. The easiest option is a taxi. Some drivers will approach you directly in front of the terminal. It’s important that taxis have meters (actually). Therefore, only use those with yellow taxi lights. The ride to the city center takes around 30 to 40 minutes. We paid around 250 ZAR (16€). They charge around 10 ZAR per kilometer.

If you have the UBER app on your smartphone – JACKPOT! We used this app many times in South Africa to order a driver. Of course, you’ll need internet access to use the app on-site. If you have the SIM card we just mentioned, that shouldn’t be a problem. You’ll pay much less with UBER. UBER on iTunes | UBER on Google Play.

According to our research, there are also airport shuttle buses that run every 30 minutes between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. between the airport and the city center. The journey takes only about half an hour. However, if you prefer to go directly to your accommodation, we definitely recommend a taxi or UBER. There are plenty of private shuttles available locally. These cost around 580 ZAR per person, 635 ZAR for two people, and 55 ZAR for each additional person. They will take you to all corners of the city. Check it out here: Airport Link.

4. Accommodation in Johannesburg

You might be wondering which area of the city you should look for accommodation in. We clearly recommend Maboneng (or Braamfontein). And you may have even heard of it. This district is quite safe, young, and extremely lively. Here you’ll find good restaurants, cool cafés, and a few stores. We especially like the very special vibe in Maboneng.

On our first visit, we stayed at the Curiocity Backpackers Hostel*. This cool hostel is located right in the heart of Maboneng. We really liked it there because the people there are just so relaxed. The hostel also offers various tours. You can read the detailed article about it here.

On our last visit, we stayed at the 12 Decade Art Hotel*, which is also located in Maboneng. This accommodation is part of the Curiocity Hostel and is just a 3-minute walk away. This designer hotel offers various rooms, each decorated by renowned South African artists and designers. Each room has a different name and is individually designed. Our room had a kitchenette, a bathroom with a shower, a large double bed, seating, a TV, and Wi-Fi.

During my (Bolle’s) first trip to South Africa in 2013, I stayed in a hotel in Pretoria because we were advised against staying overnight in Johannesburg. “Far too dangerous,” was the constant response from outsiders and some online sources. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the name of this hotel. However, if you land in Johannesburg and want to explore the city, we recommend staying there as well.

Other accommodations:

• Once in Joburg* (in Braamfontein)
• Protea Hotel by Marriott* (in Braamfontein)
• Bannister Hotel* (in Braamfontein)
• Many offers also on Airbnb*

5. Sights in Johannesburg

Johannesburg has a lot to offer and is more diverse than you might think. We have been to this city three times and have experienced and seen the first changes. While six years ago it was still said that you shouldn’t walk to the supermarket, things are a bit more relaxed today. During our last trip to South Africa, we discovered new corners in Jozi, which we want to show you in the following article.

Walking through Maboneng

If you’re already in Johannesburg, you should also check out the Maboneng district. You’ll quickly notice the difference from all other districts of the city. This is where young South Africans, artists, designers, photographers, creatives, and entrepreneurs, mainly hang out. The district is hip and young; you’ll find many cool cafés, street art, galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and cool shops.

Graffiti in Johannesburg

Johannesburg is full of graffiti. Especially in Maboneng, Braamfontein, Newtown, and Jeppestown, you’ll find cool, sometimes enormous murals. Many local artists have already immortalized themselves in the city. The best way to explore these murals is on a guided tour. The guys and girls from Past Experiences are knowledgeable and know exactly where each piece of graffiti is located. We saw a lot of cool pictures on the Maboneng Tour and in Newtown.

Apartheid Museum

The Apartheid Museum is located in Johannesburg and documents the early beginnings, the emergence, development, and end of apartheid. It also explains the historical and political context of apartheid. It is the only museum dedicated exclusively to apartheid. The museum is located near Gold Reef City and can be visited, for example, after a Soweto Tour (provider: Curiocity Hostel).

Admission costs 100 Rand (just under €5.50). The museum is open Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You should plan two hours for the museum visit. All information can be found here: Apartheid Museum Johannesburg.

Soweto Township Tour

During our first tour through South Africa, we also visited the township in Soweto. We did this tour together with the guys from the Curiocity Hostel. You can find out more in our detailed article on this topic: Soweto Township Tour. We also recommend a visit to the Hector Pieterson Museum, which follows the tour.

Visiting Pretoria

From Johannesburg, it’s only about 30 kilometers to the capital, Pretoria. I (Bolle) visited this city for a few days in 2013. This city has a few beautiful highlights, such as the Union Buildings with the meter-high Nelson Mandela statue, the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, and the beautiful botanical garden.

Top of Africa Skyscraper

Johannesburg is home to a huge skyscraper – the Carlton Centre. It is located on Commissioner Street and, at 223 meters, was the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere in 1973. On the top floor, there’s an observation deck called “The Top of Africa.” From there, you have a panoramic view of Johannesburg. The deck is about 2,000 meters above sea level – amazing, right? In 1999, the skyscraper was sold for around 33 million Rand.

Constitution Hill

At the western end of the suburb of Hillbrow is Constitution Hill. It is home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa. This hill was once the site of a fort and later served as a prison. However, this prison was only for white citizens. Constitution Hill was not closed as a prison until 1983. Book a tour and explore the women’s prison, Constitution Hill, the old fort, and much more.

Largest Bookstore in Jozi

During our tour of Maboneng, we stopped at the “Collector’s Treasury” bookstore. It is the largest library in the Southern Hemisphere. This store was founded in 1974 and is estimated to hold more than 2 million books. As you enter, you’ll stumble across the first towers of books.

Probably only the owner himself can find his way around this jumble. In addition to books, you’ll also find records, maps, prints, pictures, and smaller antiques. The books are stacked on the stairs, on the shelves, on the floor, and practically everywhere there’s still space.

Botanical Garden in Johannesburg

The Botanical Gardens of Johannesburg are a refuge from the hectic city life for locals and tourists alike. Right next door is the water reservoir from the backwater of the Emmarentia Dam. Here, too, you’ll find plenty of space for outdoor recreation. The dam’s lake is used for fishing and boating. On the western shore of the lake is the aforementioned Botanical Garden. A herb garden, a rose garden, forest, and meadows await you here on more than 15 hectares.

Other Highlights in Johannesburg

• SAB World of Beer (Beer Museum)
• Gold Reef City (Adventure World with Casino, Roller Coaster, and more)
• Lion and Safari Park
• MuseuMAfricA
• Johannesburg Art Gallery
• Wits Origins Centre Museum
• Nelson Mandela Bridge
• Modderfontein Reserve
• Johannesburg Planetarium

6. Markets in Johannesburg

Johannesburg is a cool and young city. A lot is happening, and slowly, more and more hip spots and markets are appearing. We visited a few and can offer a few recommendations in the following section.

Neighbourgoods Market

We visited the cool Neighbourgoods Market in Johannesburg in Braamfontein. It takes place every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Here you can find lots of delicious dishes and snacks, cool music on the rooftop terrace, clothes, accessories, and much more. Address: 73 Juta St, Johannesburg. Don’t miss it!

44 Stanley

If you want to discover a really cool place, you should head to 44 Stanley Market in Braamfontein. We took an Uber there from our accommodation in Maboneng. This charming “backyard” is a mix of restaurants, galleries, cafés, and small shops. A visit to the Salvation Café is highly recommended. They have the best cheesecake in South Africa, homemade iced teas, and really delicious food. 44 Stanley is open all week.

Rosebank Sunday Market

The Rosebank Sunday Market is an African flea market in the Rosebank district. Here you can find absolutely everything: clothes, souvenirs, food, art, decorative items, and much more. There is also occasional live music at this market. The market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A stop is especially worthwhile if you want to browse and plan to bring home some souvenirs.

Market on Main

The Market on Main takes place every Sunday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in Maboneng. There you’ll find mainly regional food and a really cool design market. At this market, you can relax and feast on some stylish items.

7. Tours through Johannesburg

There are a variety of great tours in Johannesburg. We’ve already done some of them and can really recommend all of them. Whether by skateboard, on foot, or by bike, there’s a lot to discover in Johannesburg. We recommend taking a guided tour. Unfortunately, the city is still not entirely safe. You’ll also learn so much more about Johannesburg, the country, and its people.

Tour through Soweto

At the time, we weren’t sure whether we should really do such a tour. But in the end, we decided to go for it. We wanted to learn more about the country and its people. And so we set off for Soweto, the most famous township in the entire country. You can read about our experience with this tour here. The tour also started in front of the backpacker hostel in Maboneng. You can find several tour operators on Get Your Guide.

Tip: Maboneng Precinct Tour

This tour takes place every Wednesday and Thursday at 3 p.m. It goes through the most popular areas in Maboneng, past cool murals, the Healers Market, the largest bookstore in the southern hemisphere, and many other cool spots. It starts in front of the Curiocity Backpackers Hostel. Hostel guests pay 250 Rand (15€) for this tour, while external guests pay 300 Rand (18€). You can learn more about the tour here: Main Street Walks.

City Skate Tours

Our skateboard tour through Maboneng, Innercity, and Newtown was really cool. We not only learned some really interesting facts about Johannesburg, but also got to try our hand at skating. The tour also starts in Maboneng in front of the Curiocity Hostel every Saturday and Sunday at 10am and 2pm.

The tour lasts about 3 to 3.5 hours. The price of 300 Rand (18€) includes skateboard equipment. It’s best to email cityskatetours@gmail.com or contact us via Instagram. You can also schedule a midweek appointment. We definitely recommend our tour with Ayanda; it was a ton of fun.

8. Restaurants & Cafés

Johannesburg has a ton of cool cafés and restaurants. Braamfontein and Maboneng are especially popular spots. In Maboneng, for example, there’s the Bertrand Café, where you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast with toast and coffee. It tastes good and isn’t really expensive either. What we particularly like is that coffee is very affordable throughout the country.

For a cup of really good cappuccino or café latte, you usually only pay 20 Rand (1.50 €). Directly across the street is the Love Revo. You can eat really well here at any time of day. You can also get delicious food at the Pata Pata Restaurant and at Eat Your Heart Out, whether it’s burgers, salads, bagels, meat, or fish.

You can get really good coffee at Origin Coffee Roasting. This shop is located right in the Arts on Main Market. By the way, this café is also located in Cape Town. If you want to look out over the rooftops of Maboneng, you should visit the Living Room. This urban oasis with a rooftop café awaits you with homemade mocktails, refreshing drinks, cocktails, tapas, salad bowls, and much more. At Soul Souvlaki Maboneng Precinct, you can enjoy delicious Greek snacks and coffee in a super cool atmosphere. The shop is made up of various containers and has a really cool look.

Many cool spots in Johannesburg

Let’s take a step outside of Maboneng. There are also a few cool spots in the student district of Braamfontein. If you’re in the mood for pancakes, toast, burgers, or coffee, you’re in good hands at POST breakfast lunch. This cool little shop is especially popular for breakfast. Not far away is the Doubleshot Coffee & Tea Café.

Here you can get delicious cakes and fresh coffee. Our absolute favorite spot, however, is the Salvation Café. This café serves super tasty drinks, salads, burgers, curries, soups, and much more. Everything is freshly prepared and tastes simply divine. By the way, we had what is probably the most delicious cheesecake in the world here. And let’s not forget the selection of food and dishes at the Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein.

9. Safety in Johannesburg

For many people, a trip to Johannesburg is associated with a great deal of uncertainty. No wonder, Johannesburg was once considered one of the most unsafe cities in the world. And we have to be honest with you and say that the city is still not without its risks. Nevertheless, we wouldn’t want to miss our recent visits. With each visit, we discovered and learned more. You need to know which areas you can go/drive to and which you should avoid. Ask at your accommodation or ask a local city guide.

We always took tours through different districts and were able to learn more about Johannesburg. With a local guide by your side, it’s a fairly safe experience. As in any other city, you need to use common sense. It’s best not to carry valuables visibly, don’t pack too much cash, and don’t walk the streets alone after dark. Also, be careful with your credit card. You can find more on this topic here: Credit Cards and Security.

10. General Information

SIM Card and Internet

One of our most important Johannesburg tips is a SIM card. Once your plane lands safely, your journey can finally begin. At the airport, you should first stock up on a SIM card (with data allowance) from Vodacom. Only if you need one, of course. The friendly staff in the store will help you activate the card.

This way, you can check something online while you’re on the go or use the navigation if you haven’t downloaded an offline map beforehand. You can also buy mosquito repellent either here or at a supermarket. And here, you should really get the stuff from South Africa. Mosquito spray from Germany isn’t nearly as effective as the “local” stuff (e.g., Peaceful Sleep).

Credit Card and Money

You’ll find several ATMs in the airport building. Here, you can easily withdraw cash with your credit card. If you only have your regular Maestro card with you, expect higher fees. Be sure to inform your bank in advance that you’re going abroad. Occasionally, banks simply block cards because they register too many transactions from abroad. The South African Rand is currently at 15.54 ZAR for 1€ (as of May 2019).

We use the DKB Bank credit card and our N26 for this. We don’t charge any fees in South Africa, but this depends on the bank. You should definitely have a credit card with you. You’ll need one to book a rental car. At least, that’s the case in most cases.

Book & Pick Up a Rental Car

You can pick up your rental car immediately upon arrival. Many companies, such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, or Tempest, have their counters at the airport. The parking lots are located directly opposite the domestic flight terminals. Everything in the airport itself is well signposted, so you should be able to find your way around fairly easily.

When picking up your car, make sure you take photos from all angles. Photograph every little scratch. It’s better to have one too many than one too few. We’ve never had any problems; we’ve always driven through the country in a small car.

Want a cool tour through Johannesburg? Get your Guide offers a variety of excursions and tours. We recommend the tour through Soweto, Maboneng, and Newtown.