For first-time visitors to Joburg or returnees with limited time to explore, this list of recommendations (compiled from #MyJoburg interviews with 40 local personalities) is your cheat sheet to the city's treasures. If we're keeping score, Constitution Hill was the overwhelming favourite because, apparently, you can’t be a proper Joburger without a crash course in history and human rights. And yet, the responses travel far and wide.
Johannesburg has parks aplenty, and a stroll around Emmarentia Dam is a firm favourite – nothing screams "I’m connecting with nature" like dodging ducks and joggers who clearly didn’t get the 'relax' memo. If you're all good on green spaces, get your culture fix: the city's art scene is a worthwhile immersion. When hunger strikes, reward yourself for a hard day's work at one of Joburg's excellent restaurants. The food might just convince you to extend your stay indefinitely.
Below, we round-up the best 'Joburg top threes' of 2024. Pick and choose from these to create an itinerary tailored to your interests. From the gritty to the pretty, it's all here.
#MyJoburg recommendations: What three things should a visitor not leave Joburg without seeing or experiencing?
Artist Alastair Findlay: "A show at the Market Theatre. Jazz at chiesa di PAZZO LUPi. A walk in Emmarentia."
Art specialist and auctioneer Alastair Meredith: "Soweto, a good braai, and Jan Smuts House Museum in Irene."
Artist Bambo Sibiya: "[An exhibition] at Everard Read's Circa gallery. Having a meal at Maboneng’s Mama Mexicana. Dropping into Linbro Park Studios to see two artists, Lazyhound and Themba Khumalo."
Artist Boemo Diale: "A picnic in Emmarentia, tea and cakes at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, and, lastly, a trip to a good shisa nyama."
Founder of Urban Sketchers, Cathy Gatland: "Constitution Hill, preferably including a tour of its art collection. The Wilds for views of the city, beautiful walks (both wild and more tamed with indigenous gardens), animal sculptures, waterfalls, and mosaics. Emmarentia Botanical Gardens, especially on a weekend when the Linden Market or a good live music concert is on."
Curator Denzel 'Denzo' Nyathi: "Visiting Latitudes Centre for the Arts, going to And Club [in Newtown] for a guaranteed transcendental musical experience, and visiting Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden for a picnic at the waterfall (always support public parks!)."
Joburg Ballet CEO Elroy Fillis-Bell: "One, doing the bungee jump at the Orlando Towers. I did this in my first month after moving to the city and loved it. The shisa nyama at Chaf Pozi is also pretty good once your stomach starts feeling human again. Two, a trip to Sanza Sandile's Yeoville Dinner Club is an incredibly memorable experience. It's a culinary journey through the various cultures of the continent all held in Yeoville. Depending on the group you enjoy the experience with, it can go from feeling like you're in your aunty's house for a Sunday lunch to not understanding how you're heading home at four in the morning. Three, Kwa Mai Mai Market is also high on my list of experiences for someone visiting Joburg, it is a literal sensory overload and happens to be near the Maboneng Precinct, which is also a worthy tourist visit while you're in the area."
University of Johannesburg Dean Federico Freschi: "The views from any of Joburg's many ridges at sunset, whether looking out to the ever-expanding suburbs or at the city itself. [Editor's note: Northcliff Ridge is a winner.] The drama of a summer thunderstorm. Enjoying the performative glamour of the passing crowd in Rosebank on the weekend."
Gallerist at The Atelier, Fiona Pole: "44 Stanley – a mix of stores, galleries, and restaurants with shady green courtyards – don’t miss a visit to this outdoor centre. Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, [less than 20km] south of the City Centre, is a 680-hectare nature reserve home to the highest concentration of recorded Iron Age sites on the Witwatersrand. It is a perfect spot for hikes with incredible views of Johannesburg. City Sightseeing Bus – a great introduction to Joburg and its key attractions."
Heritage hero Flo Bird: "Views from the national Anglo-Boer War Memorial, Diagonal Street shops reflected in the glass diamond building, and the excitement of walking along Jeppe Street in a truly African city."
Co-owner of Picnic&Thrift Gabrielle Onay: "One, I am biased, but a themed day Picnic&Thrift market, even just to view the variety of styles and fashions that our customers sport! Joburg is bustling with creatives in the fashion industry. Two, a First Thursday art event in and around Braam and Rosebank at Keyes Art Mile. We have such a rich nightlife scene centred around art spaces and galleries. I would specifically suggest spending the night between Everard Read Gallery and Circa Gallery and WAM (Wits Art Museum), and then heading to Kitcheners or 99 Juta for a drink to end the evening. Three, Soweto Pride. If tourists happen to be here in October, there is no better place to experience queer art, culture, and celebration than at the annual Soweto Pride event."
Artist Hannellie Coetzee: "The 100-year-old Cork oak tree at Berea High School, the magnetic, contorted rock exposed on Melle Road in Braam which indicated the gold reef back in 1886, and book an urban art tour with me to view some gems."
Architect and tour guide Hugh Fraser: "Constitution Hill precinct. The thread that winds through Soweto which often disappoints foreigners [as they lack context without a guide], but with accurate commentary, is dynamic. A meander through the City Centre, even in a car, to take in the colour of the fabric shops, the range of architecture, and the history. I used to have an SAAB convertible, which was perfect for that."
Hyde Hotel general manager, Jessica Redinger: "Perhaps a bit biased – a meal and drinks at Proud Mary. Sunsets on Northcliff Hill with a group of friends, especially during Jacaranda season. An afternoon run with the Run Tell That running crew in Rosebank."
Heart & Heritage founder Lesley Kellerman: "Lunch at Melville's Service Station Café and a shop at Convoy next door. A visit to the art galleries around Rosebank and Hyde Park, and stop in at Pantry by Marble while in the area. A meander at Kamers Market when it's on."
Jazz musician Marcus Wyatt: "Apartheid Museum, the City Centre, Gold Reef City, and many others. But I think it’s really about the people in this place. You can go to so many different places in Joburg, and your experience of this place is shaped by the people you meet. You might meet amazing people in Soweto or in Melville every Wednesday night. This is a migrant city, and that, for me, is what makes it so special. It really is about the people."
Artist Mary Sibande: "The Apartheid Museum; Vilakazi Street in Soweto: The only street in the world that has housed two Nobel Peace Prize recipients, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. It's an essential part of South African heritage and a window into its revolutionary history; Constitution Hill: A historic site that once served as a prison and now houses South Africa's Constitutional Court. It's a powerful reminder of the country's journey towards democracy."
Ceramic artist Molly Roberts: "Joburg Contemporary Art Foundation (JCAF), their research-based exhibitions are always mind-opening. Keyes Art Mile, especially on Keyes Art Night. With so many galleries and design stores, lovely restaurants, and incredibly dressed socialites, it's a good slice of Joburg life. Smoking Kills, it’s a local [Melville] bar that often has bands and DJs performing."
Radio DJ Nick Hamman: "It depends on the individual. The exciting thing about Joburg is that it has so much to offer. When friends visit I typically curate itineraries based on what they're into. As an entry-level experience, I would recommend that someone start with the major things the city is most known for and take it from there. One, Soweto. The area and its people's contribution to the country's history alone make it worth the stop. Two, Sandton. It's what some say is the richest square mile in Africa. It has a sense of opulence and energy that you don't really see anywhere else in South Africa. Three, Maboneng. Although unfortunately, the cracks are already starting to show, this place is an example of an attempt to gentrify the inner city. It's a living example of all the ways that can be a good and bad thing, and it has plenty of spots worth checking out. You can also do a skate tour with City Skate Tours from Curiocity Backpackers, which will give you a good sense of the city's past and present. This would be a good starting point for how to begin to try and understand the city: its past, present, failures, and successes.
Couchsurfer and hiker, Nobantu Shabangu: "Neck & Deck Restaurant as you get to feed the giraffes and see the Big Five without leaving the province. Orlando Towers, Chaf Pozi, and Mandela House Museum in Soweto. You cannot leave Joburg without visiting Soweto and indulging in a high-adrenaline activity like bungee jumping off the towers. Lastly, rooftop at Hallmark House for the latest in art, fashion, and music trends."
Artist and illustrator Rebecca Potterton: "A Joburg sunset, a walk in Emmarentia Botanical Gardens, and a visit to Joburg Contemporary Art Foundation (JCAF)."
Fashionista Ricci Kalish Liedeman: "The City Sightseeing Red Bus tour, a visit to NIROX Sculpture Park, and Rosebank and its surroundings are great places to explore some of our restaurants and bars."
Ballet dancer Ruan Galdino: "44 Stanley, the Apartheid Museum, and Joburg Ballet."
Attorney and Socially Gathering co-founder Savannah Cozzi: "Constitution Hill, Parkhurst 4th Avenue afternoon strolling and lunch, and if you can, travel a couple hours out of Joburg to the Pilanesberg National Park to see the Big Five."
Craftivist 'Stacey' AKA Curious Sleuth: "The outdoor graffiti gallery under the highway bridge in Newtown where graffiti artists showcase their vibrant artworks. A walk in Delta Park when the carpets of cosmos are in blossoming bloom. Watching a golden African sunset from the top of Northcliff Hill."
Actor and vintage fundi Sthandiwe Kgoroge: "A visit to the theatre (Market Theatre or Joburg Theatre); a trip to any of our art galleries (we have incredible art); a visit to Kwa Mai Mai in town for a Zulu cultural experience."
Co-founder of 99 Design store, Tayla Foong: "Hallmark House rooftop, 44 Stanley, and a walking tour through Braamfontein."
Co-founder of Banditz Bicycle Club, Titi Mashele: "Homies Night Ride, Mr Pants wine bar, and groove in Soweto."
Property developer Tšepang Molisana: "One, Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG). Two, Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam. Three, Old Oak Restaurant at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club."
Author and journalist Ufrieda Ho: "One, visit Constitution Hill and try to be there when the court is in session. When you feel disillusioned about things going wrong, listening to the justices set out how they have come to their rulings tested against our Constitution is the stuff of deep exhales. Two, visit David Webster's old house in Troyeville. The mosaics that rise up on the house walls where the assassinated anti-apartheid activist lived are, for me, an honour to life, purpose, and passions – maybe the better things to memorialise. Three, get to a public gathering – maybe it's a live music festival, maybe it's a day at the Wanderers, a market day, or a Johannesburg Heritage Foundation tour – meet and mingle with Joburg's people."
Textile designer and entrepreneur, Zydia Botes: "Experience the City Centre by bicycle with Kennedy Tembo's Microadventure Tours. If you can get your timing right, Delta Park is lush with cosmos in April, and the jacaranda trees fill the streets with purple in October. Lastly, shop at 44 Stanley and have [Joburg's best-voted] cheesecake at Salvation Café while you’re there."
And if a choose-your-own-adventure is what you prefer, take a page from photographer Alastair Maclachlan's book: "Meeting three different people, from three different places, doing three different things."
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