I heard from a lot of people Johannesburg was too dangerous to visit—and I almost believed it. But since you have to fly into Johannesburg before heading to Cape Town, I figured, why skip the city altogether? After some quick Reddit research, I decided it would be safe enough for a trip.
Not only did I visit Johannesburg, but I could actually see myself living there.
Sure, there are dangerous neighborhoods in Johannesburg, but honestly, the same goes for cities like Washington, DC, New York City, and Chicago—places I love and would happily call home. When it comes to Johannesburg travel tips, the key is being aware, just like any big city.
Where to Stay in Johannesburg as a Tourist
Rosebank
I stayed in Rosebank at an airbnb for ~$40/night. Rosebank is on the edge of Johannesburg and felt like the perfect introduction to the city. It’s walkable, relatively polished, and home to an upscale mall with coffee shops and restaurants — many of which I’d seen recommended on TikTok and other social media platforms.
Melrose Arch
Melrose Arch is a polished, walkable pocket of the city filled with restaurants, cafés, and offices. It feels calm, and curated, a nice place for dinner or a relaxed night out.
Sandton
Sandton is an actual suburb of Johannesburg, and it’s sleek, corporate, and affluent. It’s also home to Alto234, the highest urban bar in Africa.
Maboneng Precinct
If you’re craving what people often refer to as the “real Johannesburg,” Maboneng is the arts district. It’s more bustling, more chaotic, with galleries, murals, cafés, and a strong creative energy that made it one of my favorite areas to explore.
Johannesburg Food, Nightlife & Music Culture
Johannesburg’s vibrant food scene offers some of the best dining experiences in South Africa. Here are my top restaurant and café picks in Jozi:
- Motherland Coffee: In Rosebank – and had some of the best iced coffee.
- Home of the Bean: In Maboneng – great cappucino and art space to hang and sip before seeing the art galleries.
- Four Seasons – Flames: A rooftop restaurant in Johannesburg with stunning city views, serving high-quality dishes at reasonable prices. A must-visit for fine dining with panoramic views of Johannesburg’s skyline.
- Pantry by Marble: A unique combination of gas station, specialty food shop, and artisan pizza and ice cream in Johannesburg. I’ve never seen anything like it, and I was obsessed.. Marble restaurant is highly acclaimed and just next door.
- Bev’s Burgers: a bit out of the city but it’s a local favorite, and very good. You can go to Northcliff Ridge Eco Park to watch the sunset and get burgers after. *heart eyes*
- San Deck, Bar & Restaurant: Located on a rooftop in Johannesburg, this trendy spot pairs perfectly with nearby Alto234, offering spectacular city views and expertly crafted cocktails.
- For a unique local experience, book ahead at the Yeoville Dinner Club, where you can share a homemade meal with strangers – it didn’t fit my schedule to try but I love the concept!
Johannesburg nightlife and live music:
- Neighbarhood is a popular vinyl bar in Johannesburg, famous for its superior sound system and intimate vibe, perfect for music enthusiasts looking for authentic local experiences.
- Opera in Rosebank. I went solo clubbing here, and it was a lot of fun with good music. I only went because it was walking distance to my house.
- To keep up with Johannesburg’s latest nightlife events, follow Instagram’s @Mzansi_summer, a key source for upcoming parties, concerts, etc.
Alto234: The Highest Bar in Africa
Alto234 is located at the very top of the Leonardo building, making it the highest urban bar on the continent. I witnessed a proposal while I was there, which was lovely!!
It’s not cheap — around $40 USD to enter, but that price includes a complimentary glass of champagne. I love anything labeled the highest, the oldest, or the biggest. So for me, going to the tallest bar in Africa is worth the $.
History You Can Feel: Johannesburg’s Past
Johannesburg doesn’t hide its history.
The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is not a quick stop.
You could easily spend five hours here if you read everything. I made it about 3 hours before closing and didn’t finish. One of the most impactful sections for me was the exhibit on Archbishop Desmond Tutu, which gave deeper context to South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement that I didn’t know.
I also visited Soweto on a guided walking tour
Something I highly recommend if you’re interested in Johannesburg history and South Africa’s Apartheid. Soweto is where the 1976 Soweto Uprising took place, when students were protesting the apartheid education system, and many were killed.
It’s also home to Nelson Mandela’s former house and the birthplace of Trevor Noah. This isn’t a place to wander alone. You must go with a guide.
I didn’t make it to Constitution Hill, a former prison complex that now houses South Africa’s Constitutional Court. It once held political prisoners like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, and today it stands as one of the most important landmarks for understanding post-apartheid South Africa.
A Day Trip to the Cradle of Humankind
One of the highlights of my time in South Africa was visiting the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site just outside Johannesburg and one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world.
I booked a guided Cradle of Humankind day tour from Johannesburg for about $115 USD, including transport and museum entry. Like most tours, it was rushed. If I could do it again, I’d rent a car, stay nearby, and spend a full day actually absorbing the material.
I have a deep interest in paleoanthropology, and South Africa is central to that story. While the oldest known human ancestors were discovered in Ethiopia, this region holds an extraordinary concentration of early human fossils—over 40% of the world’s known hominid remains.
One of the most famous discoveries here is “Little Foot,” an almost complete Australopithecus skeleton found in the Sterkfontein Caves. Dating back roughly 3.67 million years, Little Foot is one of the oldest and most intact early human skeletons ever discovered!!!
Visitors don’t enter the exact research caves where fossils like Little Foot were uncovered, which are protected scientific sites. Instead, you explore nearby caves and spend time at the Maropeng Visitor Centre, the main museum for the Cradle of Humankind.
I attended a 30-minute talk on how scientists analyze bones— carbon dating, layers of sediment, comparative anatomy. At one point, we were allowed to touch ancient animal bones. It felt mildly illegal. I loved it.
Final Thoughts: I Could Stay
Johannesburg is like South Africa’s New York — it’s a cultural hub with music, art, and creativity. It’s an inviting city, and I could easily see myself here; finding community, enjoying great food spots, and settling into a rhythm without feeling overwhelmed by endless options.
I’m excited to go back, and maybe use it as a jump point to explore the rest of Southern Africa — like Eswatini, Lesotho, Seychelles, and Mozambique. It’s an airport hub with the best flight prices. Jozi has a fan outta me!