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Johannesburg Destination Guide
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Introduction |
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Situated high on the escarpment at just over 2 000m, Johannesburg is a vibrant, energetic and bustling metropolis. As South Africa's largest city and economic hub it's home to 3,2 million people, including the residents of Soweto.
Like New York, this city never sleeps. The young and energetic can dance the night away at one of a myriad of nightclubs (anything from jazz to R&B to kwaito). Cigar lounges, sophisticated eateries and world-class theatre productions are also on offer, or a more authentic South African experience can be enjoyed in the shebeens of Soweto and Alexandra. If Soho-style living is your thing then enjoy the laid-back vibes in villages like Melville, Parkhurst and Norwood
With massive inner-city renewal, the cultural precincts of Newtown and Constitution Hill (the birthplace of democratic South Africa) are high on visitor itineraries. |
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Top Picks |
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Gold Reef City - an evocative recreation of the mining era.
Soweto - on an organized tour.
Shopping in sophisticated malls.
Sterkfontein Caves - in the Cradle of Humankind.
Dining out - enjoy cuisine from around the globe.
The Apartheid Museum
Newtown and Fantastic Nightlife
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Climate |
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Due to the height of 1753 m above sea-level, the climate in Johannesburg and on the Highveld is nice throughout the year. The favourable climate is one of Johannesburg’s main attractions. Many local residents, who enjoy annual holidays at the coast, would never consider living in hot, humid Durban or cold, wet Cape Town year round. In summer, the days are not too hot and the nights pleasantly cool. In winter, the nights can be quite cold, even below zero, but during the day the sun shines and lets the temperatures rise up to 25 degrees. Rainfall is to be expected only in summer from October to March. Otherwise the dry climate of the African interior high-plateau, the Highveld, is dominant. Johannesburg gets an annual average of between eight and ten hours of sunshine per day. The weather only gets nasty in Johannesburg when the strong winds of August blow over the Highveld and the loose sands of the mine-dumps whirl through the air and cover the city in a yellow haze of dust. In Pretoria, about 60 km north of Johannesburg, it is always two or three degrees warmer due to the lower altitude of only 1365 metres above sea-level. (Usually a difference of 100 m in elevation corresponds to 1 degree Celsius difference in temperature.) |
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Transportation |
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Johannesburg is a major international travel hub and is served by daily flights to and from the UK and has domestic flights to most towns in the country as well as rail and coach connections.
Local transport (bus and collective taxi) is cheap, but private taxi or car hire is recommended for visitors. |
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Attractions |
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Johannesburg boasts over 150 heritage sites, and the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site is a mere 30-45 minute drive from the urban centres. Don’t forget to pop into the Rhino and Lion Park en route.
Alternately, you could always visit the Apartheid museum, stargaze at the Planetarium, visit the Joburg Zoo or tour Soweto and see Nelson Mandela's home. In Johannesburg, the leisure and entertainment possibilities are endless.
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Entertainment |
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| As the country's biggest and most vibrant city, there is a great variety of museums, theatres, cinemas and music venues and clubs. |
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Restaurants |
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| Huge variety of great quality restaurants - and great value for money. |
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Shopping |
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Johannesburg is known for its sprawling mall culture, and if shopping is your thing there are so many options to choose from: Sandton City, Hyde Park, Rosebank or Northgate, Eastgate, Southgate or Westgate – and that’s just for starters. There's also the popular weekend Rosebank Rooftop Market and Michael Mount Organic Market |
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Recreation |
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Wide variety of sports available -many golf courses in the area. Rugby, cricket and football are hugely popular spectator sports in Jo'burg. |
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