- Johannesburg is the largest city in the world that is not situated on a river, lake, or coastline.
- The city is one of the world's largest man-made forests, with over 10 million trees planted in its suburbs.
- It sits at an elevation of 1,753 meters above sea level, which means the air is significantly thinner than at sea level.
- The city was established in 1886 following the discovery of gold, leading to it being nicknamed 'eGoli' or 'Place of Gold'.
- Johannesburg experiences a sub-tropical highland climate with distinct dry winters and warm, wet summers.
About Johannesburg
Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa, is a high-altitude metropolis built upon the world's richest gold-bearing ore body. Its urban fabric is defined by a blend of historic industrial architecture and modern cultural hubs like The Market Theatre and the Wits Art Museum. Visitors often seek respite in the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens or explore the complex local narrative at the South African National Museum of Military History. The city serves as the economic engine of the continent, offering a dense concentration of parks like Zoo Lake and cultural landmarks.
Highlights of Johannesburg
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Zoos
Home to one of the largest animal collections in South Africa, including white lions.
Parks
Features an extensive rose garden and a functional Shakespearean garden.
Parks
A popular recreational spot for rowing and casual dining overlooking the water.
Venues
A premier performing arts venue hosting major international and local musical productions.
Parks
Offers expansive grasslands and wetlands that serve as a significant bird sanctuary.
Museums
Houses a comprehensive collection of military equipment and vehicles used in various conflicts.
Museums
Exhibits a significant collection of African art, including traditional and contemporary works.
Museums
Details the industrial history of brewing and the science behind the production of beer.
Top things to do in Johannesburg
The 524 highest-rated places in Johannesburg, ranked by travellers.
1
Amusement parks
Gold Reef City Theme Park is an amusement park built on the site of a disused 19th-century gold mine. The park integrate...
2
Venues
FNB Stadium, known as Soccer City, is the largest stadium in Africa with a capacity of 94,736 spectators. Located in Nas...
3
Zoos
The Johannesburg Zoo is a 54-hectare facility housing over 2,000 individual animals representing approximately 300 speci...
4
Parks
The Johannesburg Botanical Gardens is a 81-hectare green space situated in the suburb of Emmarentia, surrounding the Emm...
5
Museums
The Apartheid Museum serves as the primary national archive and exhibition space dedicated to the history of the 20th-ce...
6
Parks
Zoo Lake is a public park located in Forest Town, Johannesburg, featuring an artificial lake that serves as its central...
7
Venues
Orlando Stadium is a landmark multi-purpose venue situated in the heart of Soweto, South Africa, serving as the spiritua...
8
Museums
Mandela House is the former residence of Nelson Mandela, where he lived from 1946 until 1962. Located on Vilakazi Street...
9
Venues
The Joburg Theatre, formerly known as the Johannesburg Civic Theatre, is the primary performing arts complex in Johannes...
10
Parks
Delta Park is one of Johannesburg's largest green spaces, covering 108 hectares of grassland, woodland, and wetland ecos...
11
Museums
The Hector Pieterson Memorial commemorates the 13-year-old schoolboy who became a symbol of the 1976 Soweto Uprising aga...
12
Museums
The South African National Museum of Military History is the primary repository for South Africa's military past, encomp...
13
Places of interest
Croc City Crocodile & Reptile Park is a specialized reptile sanctuary located in the Chartwell area of Johannesburg, Nor...
14
Temples
Rivers Church Sandton is a prominent non-denominational multi-site church located in the Morningside suburb of Sandton,...
15
Parks
Wits Marks Park is a prominent multi-purpose sports and recreational facility located in the Emmarentia/Greenside area o...
16
Venues
The Market Theatre is a legendary independent theatre complex in Johannesburg that played a critical role in the anti-ap...
17
Temples
Grace Bible Church is a prominent charismatic Christian ministry based in Pimville, Soweto. Founded in 1983 by Bishop Mo...
18
Parks
Lone Hill Nature Reserve is a 52-hectare community-managed space centered around a prominent granite koppie. It features...
19
Temples
Houghton Masjid, located on West Street in the Houghton Estate suburb of Johannesburg, serves as a central hub for the l...
20
Parks
Modderfontein Reserve is a 275-hectare private nature reserve situated within the Modderfontein property, characterized...
21
Museums
Wits Art Museum (WAM) houses one of the most significant collections of African art in the world, featuring over 15,000...
22
Temples
CRC Johannesburg is one of the largest multi-site church congregations in South Africa, functioning as a primary hub for...
23
Parks
Lonehill Park is a community-managed green space surrounding a large central dam in the residential suburb of Lone Hill,...
24
Parks
Golden Harvest Park is a 55-hectare indigenous bushveld park located in the Randburg area of Johannesburg. The park is c...
25
Museums
SAB World of Beer in Newtown, Johannesburg, serves as a comprehensive museum dedicated to the history and science of bre...
26
Temples
Mayfair Jummah Masjid is a central place of worship serving the diverse Muslim community in the Mayfair suburb of Johann...
27
Museums
The Origins Centre at Wits University is a research facility dedicated to the history of modern humans in Africa, with a...
28
Temples
Masjid Siratul Jannah is a prominent mosque located in Evans Park, Johannesburg South. It serves as a central hub for th...
29
Parks
Diepkloof Extreme Park is a prominent recreational space in Soweto, designed to provide high-energy outdoor activities f...
30
Museums
The Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) houses the largest public collection of contemporary and historical art on the Africa...
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Johannesburg on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Johannesburg
March to May or September to November, as these shoulder seasons offer mild temperatures and avoid the peak summer thunderstorms.
3-4 days to explore the central cultural districts and the expansive northern park systems.
The city is largely car-dependent; visitors typically use ride-hailing services, rental cars, or the Gautrain rapid transit system for specific routes.
Rosebank and Sandton are the most recommended areas for visitors due to their safety, walkability, and proximity to major transport hubs.
Mid-range; while luxury services are readily available, the city offers a wide variety of value-oriented dining and accommodation options.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 524 curated attractions in and around Johannesburg, ranked by traveller ratings.
Gold Reef City Theme Park is the highest-rated place to visit in Johannesburg right now.
The largest category is temples, with 347 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town.
Explore more of South Africa
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
