Colloquially popular as the ‘city of gold’, Johannesburg is the biggest city in South Africa that has mostly been known for being Nelson Mandela’s home or for its astonishing museums. But, there’s more to the city than meets the eye. There are places to visit in Johannesburg like Zoo Lake and Market Theatre that would change anyone’s opinion about the city being an attraction only for the history buffs.
15 Places To Visit In Johannesburg
So, if you have been holding the same opinion, it’s time you take a look at these 10 best places that prove Johannesburg is as much a hub for the romantics, art-lovers & culture-vultures as it is for the history buffs.
1. Market Theatre
2. The Lion Park
3. Holy Hill
4. Wits Art Museum
5. The Apartheid Museum
6. Gold Reef City
7. SAB World of Beer
8. Mandela House
9. Zoo Lake
10. Mary Fitzgerald Square
11. Constitution Hill
12. The Maboneng Precinct
13. Lindfield Victorian House Museum
14. South African National Museum of Military History
15. Pilanesberg National Park
1. Market Theatre
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While in Johannesburg, points of interest for tourists are innumerable, the Market Theatre complex is one place you cannot afford to miss. Housed in a converted market building, this place portrays the vibrant culture of the city by showcasing some of the finest productions in its theatres. Not just this, but it also has a bookshop, an art & photograph gallery, a number of restaurants, and more where you can chill even after the sun sets.
Entry Fees: ZAR 30
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Monday, and 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Tuesday to Sunday
Location: 56 Margaret Mcingana Street, Newtown, Johannesburg
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2. The Lion Park
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Located in the Gauteng Province, the Lion Park is one of the most essential places to visit in Johannesburg, South Africa. While the Transvaal lions here are the major point of interest for the visitors, the park also houses a number of other animals that are indigenous to Africa. And apart from interacting with the lions, you can also indulge in fun activities like a safari expedition, a tour of the four lion pride camps, and more.
Entry Fees: ZAR 195 for adults, ZAR 100 for senior citizens, and free entry for kids
Timings: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all the days
Location: R512 Pelindaba Rd, Hartbeespoort, Broederstroom
Suggested Read: Best Safari In South Africa: Adrenaline Pumping Experiences In The World’s Wildest Corner
3. Holy Hill
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One of the most beautiful places to visit in Johannesburg, the Holy Hill is definitely worth a visit. Located in the center of the city, this not-so-popular place offers the most soul-stirring views that will definitely leave you in awe. You can spend hours sitting or capturing moments here, and you won’t get tired. After all, what’s a holiday worth without witnessing breathtaking sights?
Entry Fees: There is no entry fee for visiting this place.
4. Wits Art Museum
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Opened in 2012, the Wits Art Museum houses a great collection of African art, which makes it one of the most interesting places to visit in Johannesburg. Being a part of the Wits University Cultural Precinct, this place also has temporary exhibitions, which you can admire for hours before you head out for a meal at the nearby popular cafe.
Entry Fees: There is no entry fee for visiting this place.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM from Wednesday to Sunday (closed on Monday & Tuesday)
Location: University Corner, Jorissen St & Bertha St, Johannesburg
Must Read: 10 Things To Do In South Africa To Convince You For Your Next African Adventure!
5. The Apartheid Museum
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Of all the Johannesburg attractions, the Apartheid Museum is one place that might s boring but actually isn’t. Spectacularly portraying the apartheid story through photographs, artifacts, newspaper clippings, film footage, and more, this museum is the most intriguing place to visit. If you ever wanted to learn about South Africa’s freedom struggle, do visit this place.
Entry Fees: ZAR 95 for adults, and ZAR 80 for pensioners, university students & children
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all the days
Location: Northern Parkway & Gold Reef Road, Ormonde, Johannesburg
6. Gold Reef City
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Located some 8 km away from the city center, the Gold Reef City is one of the most famous places to visit in Johannesburg. From thrilling theme park rides to historical exhibits, there are so many things here that would take you back to the country’s golden days. You can also take a tour of the disused shaft of Crown Mines to get a glimpse of the talent gold miners had.
Entry Fees: The fees would depend on the experience you choose.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM on all the days
Location: Shaft 14, Northern Parkway, Johannesburg
Suggested Read: 10 Things To Do In Johannesburg That Bring Out Its Vibrant Charm
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7. SAB World of Beer
Image Courtesy: South Africa Tourism
Owned by the South African Breweries, this attraction located in Newtown is amongst the most fun places in Johannesburg. From learning about the drink’s rich history to exploring its significance in the cultural space, there’s a lot to do here. You can take a tour of the whole brewery, watch a 3D movie, taste the famous beer, and savor the bar snacks during the session.
Entry Fees: ZAR 127 for adults, which include a tour, a souvenir glass, bar snacks, a halfway beer, and two drink vouchers
Timings: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM from Sunday to Monday, and 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM from Tuesday to Saturday
Location: 15 Helen Joseph St, Newtown, Johannesburg
8. Mandela House
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Located in the Soweto Street, this museum was once home to Nelson Mandela, the hero of the liberation movement. Irrespective of whether you are a history buff or not, this place is an intriguing attraction to visit in Joburg. The four rooms in the house showcase an array of photographs, paintings, and more of the Mandela family. Not just this, but it also exhibits the awards & recognitions earned by Nelson Mandela.
Entry Fees: ZAR 40 for local tourists (adults), ZAR 60 for foreigners (adults), and ZAR 20 for kids
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: 8115 Vilakazi St & Ngakane St, Johannesburg
Suggested Read: 6 South Africa Travel Tips That Are A Must For Every Traveler
9. Zoo Lake
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If you’re looking for romantic places in Johannesburg, don’t worry because the city would never disappoint as it’s home to the surreal Zoo Lake. An all-time favorite amongst the Joburg residents, this place is ideal for enjoying a stroll together, a boat ride, and even taking a dip in the pool. And if you feel doing nothing, you can just sit across the fountain and soak in the bliss of serenity.
Entry Fees: While there is no entry fee, the activities like boating and swimming are chargeable.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all the days
Location: Lower Park Dr Parkview, Johannesburg
10. Mary Fitzgerald Square
Image Courtesy: Afro Tourism
Named after the country’s first female unionist, the Mary Fitzgerald Square is one of the best places to visit in Johannesburg for free. As per popular review, anybody who visits here surely has the time of his or her life. This square also marks the start for the Jazz Walk of Fame, which a walkway that pays tribute to the country’s most eminent jazz musicians.
Entry Fees: There is no entry fee for visiting this place.
Timings: NA
Location: 120 Lilian Ngoyi St, Newtown, Johannesburg
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11. Constitution Hill
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Constitution Hill is among the most scenic places in Johannesburg owing to the fact that one can gaze at marvelous views of the entire city from here. Once a prison, this site now provides insightful information about South Africa’s history. Representing the brutal treatment of political prisoners and criminals at that time, this erstwhile prison features rather provocative exhibits at its museums like Number Four, Women’s Gaol, and Old Fort. These former prisoners even included Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi at that time. Apart from transforming this prison into a museum, the old Awaiting Trial building has also been renovated and made into the Constitutional Court of South Africa, which stands as a symbol of freedom and operates on the aim of protecting the rights of this nation’s people.
Location: 11 Kotze St, Johannesburg, 2017, South Africa
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Constitution Hill Entry Fee
12. The Maboneng Precinct
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Johannesburg’s brilliant multi-use urban renewal project, the jolly Maboneng Precinct is was once a rather a normal, shabby neighborhood. Maboneng literally means the “place of light,” and what it has now been transformed into represents just that. Lit and fizzing with life, this site now has chic cafes, restaurants, art galleries, hotels, shops, and various entertainment hubs, all thrown into one single mix rather smartly to make this part of the town hip and happening. One of the top attractions here include the Weekly Market on Main where you can get food from any part of the continent. Art lover? Get to Arts on Main and Revolution House where you’ll find warehouses-turned-art-studios, along with shops where you can buy art pieces. Among other attractions are the Bioscope Cinema, classy hotels, a community center, and various boutiques. It’s a wonderful place for youngsters to hang around amid a cic and lively vibe while gorging on their favorite African food and drinks.
Location: 276 Fox St, City and Suburban, Johannesburg, 2094, South Africa
Timings: 9 AM – 11 PM
Suggested Read: An All-Inclusive Guide To Johannesburg Botanical Garden
13. Lindfield Victorian House Museum
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This “living museum” is one of the most queer, yet exciting sites in Johannesburg. What delights visitors here is the fact the current owner of the museum, Katherine Love, dresses up in Victorian clothing to match the vibe and purpose of the museum, and very courteously shows them around the whole place, leading them from room to room of this brilliantly preserved middle-class Victorian house. One of the best Johannesburg museums and attractions, it houses an impressive collection of 19th and 20th-century Victorian furniture, art, and common household items that all tell tales of the how this culture and heritage is influencing Johannesburg even today. After your two-hour tour inside this museum, you can indulge in a fine cup of tea in the verandah while looking over the Johannesburg city.
Location: 72 Richmond Ave, Auckland Park, Johannesburg
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Entry fee: INR 250/- (guided tour)
Suggested Read: Johannesburg Zoo: A Guide To This Fun-filled Place In South Africa
14. South African National Museum of Military History
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Reciting the story of Africa’s military conflicts over the years, the South African Museum of Military History is among the most fascinating Johannesburg museums and attractions for those who love to hear war stories. The highlights of this museum include World War II fighter planes, tanks, arms and ammunition, bombers, and even medals. Visitors’ favorite section includes the exhibit on medicine at war, which showcases details of the Zulu’s method of traditional healing during the Anglo-Zulu war, along with modern day treatments employed on the battlefield.
Location: 22 Erlswold Way, Johannesburg, 2132, South Africa
Timings: 9 AM – 4:30 PM
Entry fee: INR 125 (adults) | INR 75 (children)
15. Pilanesberg National Park
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Located a mere 2.5-hour drive away from Johannesburg city center, the Pilanesberg National Park is among the most celebrated game reserves in South Africa. Other than giving wildlife enthusiasts a chance to spot Africa’s Big Five, the park also acts as one of the most scenic places in Johannesburg owing to its amazingly rich ecosystems, a wide array of wildlife, and its lush location smack in the middle of the Lowveld vegetation and the Kalahari Desert. Other than the lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalos, and leopards, one shall also be able to spot African wild dogs, zebras, sable antelopes, and over 300 bird species at this park. But don’t just rely on the photographic hides here. In order to ensure you sight most animals at the right place and time, you must opt for the full-day Pilanesberg National Park private tour that comes with an experienced safari guide.
Location: Bojanala, North West, South Africa
Timings: 6 AM – 7 PM
Entry fee: INR 400/-
Further Read: The Only Pilanesberg Game Reserve Planning Guide You Need
So, which of these places have you already added to your bucket list? Do let us know in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to include them in your trip itinerary by customizing your South Africa holiday package with TravelTriangle!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Johannesburg
Want to know more about the park? Take a look at these common queries travelers put up:
Which are the best places to visit in Johannesburg for couples?
For couples looking for a relaxing time together, Zoo Lake is the one of the romantic places to visit in Johannesburg.
Which are places to visit in Johannesburg for the day?
Apartheid museum, Gold reef city, Mary Fitzgerald Square are some of the best places to visit in Johannesburg for the day.
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