Who doesn’t want to visit Johannesburg? If there is anyone who doesn’t want to visit this city, then they haven’t seen pictures of this beautiful city. There are plenty of nice places to visit in Johannesburg that will leave a lot of memories for you, your partner, or the family. Sit back and let me take you through this amazing city.
Welcome to the vibrant city of Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest metropolis and a destination brimming with diverse cultural experiences and captivating attractions. Nestled on the Highveld plateau, this bustling city offers a unique blend of history, natural wonders, and modern urban charm. From its rich heritage and captivating museums to its thriving arts scene and awe-inspiring landscapes, Johannesburg promises an unforgettable adventure for all who venture here. This is because there are plenty of top Johannesburg tourist attractions to host you.
In this guide, Mrpocu.com will take you on a journey through some of the nice places to visit in Johannesburg. Whether you’re an art aficionado, a history buff, a nature enthusiast, or simply someone seeking to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this city, there is something for everyone. So pack your bags, put on your explorer’s hat, and get ready to uncover the hidden gems that make Johannesburg an exceptional destination.
Nice Places To Visit In Johannesburg
East Rand Mall
The residential, commercial, and industrial East Rand neighborhood of Johannesburg is expanding steadily. Boksburg, Kempton Park, Benoni, Edenvale, Brakpan, and Germiston are among the areas included. Johannesburg, the capital city of the Gauteng Province, is a significant center for both commerce and pleasure for both residents and foreign tourists. The OR Tambo International Airport is located in this area of Johannesburg, making it accessible to both locals and tourists from abroad.
The well-known East Rand Mall makes the most of this location’s great positioning by providing a choice of eateries, boutiques, chain stores, and franchises to suit the preferences and needs of all types of shoppers. Its appeal is only increased by the fact that it is less than 10 km from the airport.
East Rand Mall is home to about 175 more retailers in addition to being the biggest Pick ‘n Pay Hypermarket in the nation. Woolworths, Edgars, Truworths, Mr. Price, Milady’s, Uzzi, Big Blue, Legit, Guess, and Cotton On are a few well-known clothing retailers. It’s also great to explore specialty boutiques like Bra Bar, The Ghetto, and Hyde’s Man’s Store.
Gandhi Square
Gandhi Square is a well-liked tourist destination as well as a bustling urban center for business and retail activity. It is located in the center of Johannesburg’s Central Business District, 25 minutes away from Sandton (the city’s economic hub) and the OR Tambo International Airport, which receives millions of tourists from across the world each year. The square is also one of the nice places to visit in Johannesburg for instagrammable pictures.
Mahatma Gandhi, a historical giant, inspired the naming of Gandhi Square. This prominent human rights advocate from India was instrumental in helping so many people change their perspectives. In truth, a lot of what he said and thought still has an impact on modern society’s beliefs and goals. This square’s central, sizable statue of Mahatma Gandhi serves as its primary focal point.
This was part of a Johannesburg inner city improvement project called urban renewal. Renovating the bus station was where it all started, and it expanded from there. Gandhi Square still serves as Metrobus’ main central bus terminal today. But it is so much more than that. It is surrounded by fun boutiques, lively bars, cozy cafés, and accessible financial institutions. And you undoubtedly want to travel to this location.
Gold Reef City
A theme park and other amenities may be found at the enormous and well-regarded entertainment complex known as Gold Reef City. You can find experiences at Gold Reef City that you won’t find anyplace else. It’s a safe atmosphere with excellent parking facilities that combine fun, fantasy, and historical fact.
Gold Reef Cities has a wide appeal. International visitors enjoy the complex’s presentation of traditional African music, dancing, and history. A must-see on a trip to South Africa is the Museum’s chillingly gorgeous depiction of the painstakingly documented history of Apartheid.
And the tourist won’t find such a thorough and colorful portrayal of mining life at the turn of the nineteenth century anywhere else. Students devour the educational material as their wits are stimulated by the theme park’s adrenaline-pumping attractions. The historical lesson is made more engaging for children since they can see, feel, and even taste how Johannesburg came to be.
Emmarentia Dam
Emmarentia Dam, located in Emmarentia, north of Johannesburg, is reputed to be the best dog walk in the city. A vast and well-liked park for escapes from city life, it features peaceful lawns where families may gather and play and walks dotted with wooden chairs arranged deliberately to provide periods of calm and introspection.
Emmarentia Dam, despite its allusion to the singular, is actually made up of multiple smaller dams where dogs can splash around and swim freely. The main dam, however, is utilized extensively for canoe club training and is a popular destination for canoeists and windsurfers all year round. The dam is one of the best picnic places in Johannesburg every local or tourist should visit.
The annual summer sunset concerts, which feature a range of local and international musicians performing together in one of Johannesburg’s most adored places, are also held on the banks of the dam.
East Rand Flea Market
With the exception of Mondays, the East Rand Flea Market in Boksburg, just outside of Johannesburg, is open nearly every day of the week to sell its wares to customers who delight in the variety of items on offer, which include African artwork, a wide range of handcrafted goods, a developing home industry, and just about every kind of plastic gadget known to man.
The East Rand Flea Market is one of many classic and distinctively South African flea markets in Johannesburg. Typically, each of them carries a large selection of African art, such as street wire art, wooden carvings, beaded dolls, and the common drum. The deal also includes a variety of cheap mass-produced items including jewelry, apparel, ceramics, and anything else. Additionally, one must watch out for fake DVDs and PlayStation games at the East Rand Flea Market.
Shopping doesn’t have to stop once you’ve perused the stalls and stopped at one of the many food sellers for a hot dog, boerewors roll, or samoosa because the East Rand mall is almost across the street from the flea market. There are numerous large chain businesses, specialty shops, coffee shops, restaurants, and a nine-theater movie theater to pick from.
Diagonal Street
The city’s central business district (CBD), which is typically characterized by imposing architectural features and skyscrapers, is where Diagonal Street is located. Helmut Jahn, a renowned German-American architect who has completed projects all over the world, created the famous structure known as Eleven Diagonal Street. Its distinctly diamond-shaped design blends in beautifully with the City of Gold and the treasures that it has produced throughout the years.
Flat glass surfaces have been used to do this, reflecting the sun in a variety of directions to provide a glittering effect. Eleven Diagonal Street is one of the architectural wonders of the City of Gold, towering above the Johannesburg skyline and dazzling as its numerous glass facets capture and reflect sunlight. This architecture is only one of the wonders to be found on Diagonal Street, as its name suggests.
It is intriguing to walk down Diagonal Street in its entirety, which is likewise of considerable significance. The segregation rules of the Apartheid administration had a particularly large impact on this area. Once upon a time, the neighborhood was vibrant and multiracial. The Group Areas Act was then put into effect, making Diagonal Street exclusive to white people. It rapidly deteriorated and was completely disregarded. This is one of the best places to visit in Johannesburg for a weekend.
Johannesburg Art Gallery
The walls of the Johannesburg Art Gallery, which is located in the middle of Johannesburg’s central business district near the intersection of Klein and King George Streets, are adorned with works by Rodin, Dante, Gabriel Rossetti, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Edgar Degas, and Henry Moore.
Joubert Park may be a little sketchy, but the gallery is located in a stunning structure created by Edward Lutyens, who was heavily engaged in the planning and construction of New Delhi. The art gallery, the largest on the subcontinent with a collection larger than that of the SA National Art Gallery in Cape Town, is a treasure trove in the middle of a bustling, pulsating third-world city. The gallery is one of the nice places to visit in Johannesburg alone, with the family, or for couples.
Because of the collection’s size, only 10% of the artwork is ever displayed at the gallery; the remainder is kept in storage. The gallery regularly adds to its collection of artifacts thanks to generous donations from Anglo American and the City of Johannesburg and a sizable trust fund.
Johannesburg Botanic Garden
A little over 30 years old, the Johannesburg Botanic Garden is also one of the nation’s youngest botanical gardens. Residents who enjoy the greens to escape the monotony of daily life chose it as the greatest passive recreation area in the city in 2004. It also participates in a seed exchange program with an additional 300 or so gardens throughout the world.
One of the city’s parks, the Johannesburg Botanic Garden is located on the western shores of the Emmarentia Dam. It is a green space in the middle of Jo’burg’s northern suburbs, about 6 kilometers from the city center. It has over 30 000 trees, a large rose garden with over 4 500 varieties, and is a place where locals can stroll, meet for picnics, and play with their kids. It is also one of the best places to visit in Johannesburg for couples.
The Johannesburg Botanic Garden is home to one of the best plant collections in the entire world, which includes native trees and succulents. Its herb garden also features an unexpectedly large collection of traditional African medical herbs, as well as culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic herbs.
Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
The Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is rich in history and home to a wide variety of animals and plants. Along with zebra, red hartebeest, porcupines, black wildebeest, otters, blesbok, springbok, duiker, and 170 bird species, the reserve is home to 650 kinds of unique flora and trees.
Jo’burgers have a variety of places to choose from to take a weekend getaway. However, there aren’t as many places left to discover for a Saturday morning stroll or an afternoon biology lesson with the kids. Imagine being able to enter a 680-acre wildlife reserve with just a 15-kilometer drive from Sandton. Of course, you can in the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, sometimes known as the “jewel of the South” (Klipriviersberg Conservancy). The reserve is one of the nice places to visit in Johannesburg.
The N1 appears to be the primary entry road, with exits on Impala Drive, Peggy Vera Road, and Frandaph Drive in the Kibler Park neighborhood. The area is accessible every day, and 5.8 to 9 km long guided walks are offered on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. Check out the additional Saturday birding and flower walks that are listed on their schedule of events.
Lonehill Nature Reserve
Lonehill Nature Reserve initially appears to be little more than a rocky outcrop of sizable stones flanked by some rough veld and plants. the lone natural area amidst a desert of concrete. The closed and fenced Lonehill Nature Reserve is secure. On the weekends, the reserve is unlocked, allowing you to trek to the summit for a picnic or simply spread a picnic blanket on the nearby grassy areas.
If you take a stroll around the Lonehill reserve, you might stumble across some of the area’s dassies (there are lots of them) and porcupines (they only emerge at night). From up here, you can have a wonderful perspective of Johannesburg. The black-collared barbet, crested barbet, red-headed sparrow, African paradise flycatcher, black-headed heron, and willow warbler are just a few of the birds you’ll observe if you remain still.
Sandton City Shopping Centre
Devoted shopaholics are well aware of the size and sophistication of the Sandton City Shopping Centre. It is located in Johannesburg, Gauteng, amid the richest square mile on the continent. It also has a Gautrain station and is close to OR Tambo International Airport. Nelson Mandela Square, which houses a sizable bronze statue of the late former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, as well as a number of eateries, is located just outside the center itself.
Around 300 stores, including multinational brands and market leaders like Louis Vuitton and Apple, as well as regional boutiques, specialty shops, a huge selection of dining establishments, and coffee shops, can be found in Sandton. These restaurants range in quality from first-class enterprises that offer some of the best designs and creations in the nation to quick-stop fast-food chains.
Sandton City offers a wide variety of leisure options, including 11 movie theaters showcasing the most recent domestic blockbusters. There are 3D movies for both children and adults to enjoy.
Sandton Convention Centre
The thriving metropolis of Sandton is regarded as having the richest square mile in all of Africa. In South Africa and the neighboring nations of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, and Botswana, the Sandton Convention Centre is the premier, most prestigious convention center and exhibition facility. It is located in the center of Sandton and is quite modern and well-equipped to handle a variety of events.
The Sandton Convention Center has a huge capacity, with 12 floors and more than 22 000 square meters of space accessible. The Pavilion alone can accommodate 4,500 people, making it incredibly adaptable. Intimate spaces seat a minimum of 10 individuals. There are various different locations, each of which is appropriate for the special needs of the local and international delegates that take advantage of this top-notch facility.
The delegates attending a conference, exposition, celebration, or show here will have easy access to the retail centers, lodging, entertainment centers, restaurants, clubs, and other services within the immediate vicinity of the center thanks to its accessible location. The conference center also has secured parking spaces totaling almost 11 000.
Satyagraha House
Mohandas Gandhi, often known as Mahatma Gandhi, is a well-known politician, attorney, activist, and author who has motivated many people to treat others more peacefully and fairly, even in their own lives.
When an icon lived in Johannesburg, the City of Gold, more than 100 years ago, Satyagraha House was his home. Today, this is a bustling metropolis that attracts both locals and millions of tourists from around the world. The Satyagraha House, located in the center of the Orchards neighborhood, is a museum devoted to the achievements and selfless work of this great man, as well as to the history and culture of the past. It is one of the vintage nice places to visit in Johannesburg if you are looking to know more about Mahatma Gandhi.
Zoo Lake
Popular Zoo Lake is located in Johannesburg, almost directly across from the Johannesburg Zoo, near the intersection of Jan Smuts Avenue and West World Street. It is constantly bustling with dog walkers, runners, skateboarders, and children.
Only 15 minutes from the center of Johannesburg, Zoo Lake is a sizable park built around an artificial lake that is ideal for weekend strolls. One of Johannesburg’s most well-liked and unquestionably safest outdoor areas is Zoo Lake, especially on weekends. Depending on the path you select, it takes one to two hours to walk around the lake. You might easily turn it into a morning activity by adding a row on the lake or a leisurely supper at a nearby restaurant. The ‘Artists under the Sun’ art fair, which attracts thousands, is held on the first Saturday of each month.
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
The Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Roodepoort, Gauteng, is one of the best places to get away from Johannesburg. It has over 300 hectares of groomed and natural veld that is a home for birds and a well-liked picnic area for Gautengers.
It is still the home of a breeding pair of Verreaux’s Eagles that nest in the cliffs next to the waterfall, and no trip is complete until they have been located. Development is threatening to encroach on this lovely garden, which is set against the majestic Witpoortjie waterfall. In an effort to photograph these stunning birds, enthusiasts come prepared with telephoto lenses and tripod stands, and they will wait for hours until they appear. It is one of the best botanical gardens in South Africa.
The Nature Reserve is home to around 600 plant species, 220 bird species, as well as a variety of reptiles and small mammals including antelope and jackals. There are several lovely walks through the garden and a trail up to the waterfall for the more adventurous. The garden is one of the nice places to visit in Johannesburg for bird lovers.
Maboneng Precinct
Visit The Maboneng Precinct, one of the nicest areas in Johannesburg, if you’re interested in urban renewal initiatives. It may not have been a “place of light” in the past, but it very surely is now, as the name implies. This hipster-friendly neighborhood is one of the coolest places in town and contains all of the amenities of a large city in a single neighborhood. In a pleasant residential area, there are restaurants, bars, cafes, motels, and entertainment venues.
In addition to what we’ve already said, the Maboneng Precinct is a wonderful location for art enthusiasts to visit while in the city. You can even purchase any of their artwork if you think it’d look beautiful as decoration in your home because the warehouses have been converted into galleries and studios. Additionally, there is a community center where you can learn more about the locals and the area as well as an independent movie theater, which is a terrific place to watch a movie. Some of Johannesburg’s top eateries may be found at Maboneng Precinct.
Cradle of Humankind
Although it is an hour outside of the city, this location is a must-see for Johannesburg. This 180-square-mile site contains the earliest hominid fossils ever discovered, suggesting that it might be where the human species first emerged. One of the most significant paleo-anthropological sites in the world, it is so significant that UNESCO has designated it a World Heritage Site. The oldest human-like skeletons discovered here are 3.5 million years old, which is very astounding. Don’t leave this off your schedule for Johannesburg!
We’re not sure what will spark your attention more than witnessing skulls that are more than 2 million years old. The Cradle of Humankind also has a few amazing things that are well worth checking out, though! There are several fantastic natural sights on the property as well as the Maropeng Visitor Centre, where you can view exhibits and learn more about the area. Want to explore a network of underground caverns? The Sterkfontein Stalactitic Caves are the ideal location for you in that case. They might not be ideal for claustrophobic people, but six interconnected chambers 40 meters below the surface of the earth are undoubtedly fascinating! Additionally located here is an underground lake. A number of travel operators provide day tours to this must-see in Johannesburg.
Nelson Mandela Square
Nelson Mandela Square is a chic 1000sqm plaza connected to the famous Sandton City. With more than 88 exclusive stores, it offers a delightful shopping experience and serves as a venue for numerous local and international events. Visitors are presented with a plethora of options, ranging from high-end fashion boutiques to unique specialty shops. Additionally, the square boasts a diverse selection of restaurants, allowing guests to indulge in a wide range of culinary delights. The state-of-the-art facilities provided ensure that visitors have a seamless and enjoyable time exploring the square. Nelson Mandela Square truly embodies style, sophistication, and a vibrant atmosphere, making it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike. The square is one of the nice places to visit in Johannesburg for a historical experience.
Lethabo Estate
Lethabo Estate offers a picturesque setting for romantic picnics, featuring several idyllic spots amidst its beautiful gardens. Nestled along the river bank, you’ll find a charming thatched gazebo where you can enjoy your picnic in a tranquil atmosphere. The unique feature of a nearby river island provides additional shelter, adding to the allure of this exceptional picnic location in Johannesburg. Whether you’re looking for a romantic outing or simply a peaceful escape in nature, Lethabo Estate’s picnic spots offer a perfect retreat. Surrounded by natural beauty and serenity, it’s an ideal destination to unwind and create lasting memories with your loved ones.
Thokoza Park
Thokoza Park holds great historical importance and serves as a vibrant venue for various cultural events, including jazz concerts and art exhibitions. With its sprawling 4.5-hectare grounds, the park is renowned for offering some of the finest picnic spots in Johannesburg. Visitors can enjoy the shade provided by numerous picnic locations and braai spots scattered throughout the park. It’s a perfect destination for families, as children can have a delightful time feeding ducks, exploring the jungle gym, or playing in the netball courts. Moreover, Thokoza Park’s waterways and scenic vistas make it an enchanting setting, often chosen for wedding photography. Whether you seek relaxation, entertainment, or capturing special moments, Thokoza Park is an ideal retreat in the heart of Johannesburg. The park is one of the nice places to visit in Johannesburg for kids.