Top 15 Places To Visit In Johannesburg

Published On : 04 Sep 2024

Being the largest city in South Africa, Johannesburg is a lively city that has a lot to offer to tourists, and an impressive history to tell. Whether you’re interested in high art, fine craftsmanship, or fresh produce, find it all in Joburg. So, the next time you are in this vibrant city, do not miss out on these 15 action-packed attractions and places to visit.

1. Apartheid Museum

This paper focuses on describing the Apartheid Museum to gain an understanding of the history of apartheid in South Africa and the changes that occurred to bring the social evil to an end. Exposing the visitors to films, photos, texts, and artifacts, there is a way in which the blacks in South Africa were segregated and oppressed, and they fought for equal rights for many years. I have to say, it is rather unnerving but, at the same time, a very instructive practice if one wants to know the city and the country.

2. Constitution Hill

Constitution Hill has preserved the prison structures that could attest to the volatile history of South Africa on one end and is the host to the Supreme law of the country, The Constitutional Court on the other end. It allows the visitor to take an informed tour look at the prison museum and watch real-life court sessions.

3. Lion Park

Stop and observe lions, cheetahs, hyenas wild dogs, and many more big animals when you take a Lion Park safari tour. Outside the city, visitors can drive there themselves or take guided tours through the large compounds with approximately 30 beautiful large cats, including their cubs. This is an opportunity of a lifetime to get to experience these creatures closer.

4. Johannesburg Botanical Gardens

These large garden facilities occupy 63 hectares of land and consist of gardening displays, flowers, plants, and areas for picnicking. Other interesting areas of the garden include the Rose garden, the Herb garden, the hedge demonstration garden, and the main tree collection containing over ten thousand trees. It is a beautiful area to relax in and it is located right in the city area and it is green making it a plus.

5. Gold Reef City

Travel back in time to the 1880s and visit one of the best theme parks in South Africa which is Johannesburg’s gold mining park. Experience old mining transportation models through the state-of-the-art gold rush rollercoasters, watch the gold pouring, learn about mining, and see various ethnic gold rush villages. I do not believe there is a lack of restaurants, cafes, and shops, and one can also watch performances.

6. Orlando Towers

Challenge your dare-devil spirit and marvel at the city skyline’s beauty by bungee jumping at the Orlando Towers. Try such unusual things as bungee jumping, zip line, climbing, or base jump from these famous towers. During the night, the towers begin to produce light and music show which is very attractive.

7. Johannesburg Zoo

The Johannesburg Zoo was established in 1904, and the facility has about 2000 animals including 317 species of animals. It is also home to chimpanzees, lions, lemurs, bright-plumed birds, different types of reptiles, and other types of African wildlife including elephants and giraffes, all of which you can encounter in person.

8. Soweto

Soweto is one of the most famous townships in Joburg, and that is why nobody would want to leave Joburg without visiting Soweto. Religious or cultural sites to visit include the KwaMuhle Museum, ABSA Art Gallery, Cultural History Museum, and the Nelson Mandela Capture Site among other tourist attractions. This area also features lively markets and hospitable restaurants that offer an insight into the contemporary Soweto lifestyle.

9. Cradle of Humankind

This UNESCO World Heritage Site situated close to the city contains a network of caves filled with fossils that also includes Sterkfontein caves. Here scientists have discovered several hundreds of hominin remains over 3 million years old which is why the cave was called the Cradle of Humankind where early human ancestors developed. Explore the caves and search for fossils, or explore the exhibits in the center for visitors.

10. Market Theatre

Located in Newtown, the Market Theatre complex comprises three live theatres that entertain their audiences through drama, comedy, music, and dance performances regularly. The complex also contains other celebrated galleries such as the Museum of African Design and the Artist Proof Studio and galleries with exhibitions of artwork.

11. Lesedi Cultural Village

At the multi-ethnic township of Lesedi Cultural Village, one is entertained with dances, foods, and accommodations that portray five ethnic groups in South Africa namely the Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, Pedi, and Ndebele in a traditional setting. It helps to feel the pulse of the different people and their traditions.

12. James Hall Museum of Transport is another interesting attraction which is situated in Crosland Hill, Huddersfield.

This is a fascinating vehicle museum that exhibits more than one hundred vehicles illustrating the history of land transport in South Africa starting from the early ox wagons of the nineteenth century to today's cars. Aviation and naval transport are other categories that are also covered in the program. Children and the young at heart will enjoy the array of trains and trams that are showcased.

13. Melville Koppies Nature Reserve

This green lung allows for peace in the node of the city with 15km of trails and several wildlife indicators such as birds and antelope. On a high note, you get picturesque scenes of the sprawling city of Joburg regarded as an urban jungle.

14. Origins Centre

This museum which is located within the University of Witwatersrand has the potential to offer an insight into the human evolution in the African continent through the fossil record, the changing climate, and the evolution of settlements and key innovations. A plethora of life-like models, audio-visual technologies, and real-life artifacts make it all the more very interesting.

Conclusion

In the light of severe and heavy museums that showcase the dark history of South Africa, the vibrant city centers filled with energetic culinary, and artistic scenes from different parts of the continent, Johannesburg has a lot of wonderful things to see. This list gives an idea of sites that every visitor to this area should not miss out on, but it is just the tip of the iceberg as to what this vibrant city has to offer. Whether the purpose is historical tours, amusement park fun, viewing lions and tigers, or cultural dinner in Soweto, there’s a memorable experience in Joburg.