- 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 383 highest-rated places in Johannesburg, ranked by travellers.
1
Zoos
The Johannesburg Zoo is a 54-hectare facility housing over 2,000 individual animals representing approximately 300 speci...
2
Parks
The Johannesburg Botanical Gardens is a 81-hectare green space situated in the suburb of Emmarentia, surrounding the Emm...
3
Parks
Zoo Lake is a public park located in Forest Town, Johannesburg, featuring an artificial lake that serves as its central...
4
Venues
Emirates Airline Park, formerly known as Ellis Park Stadium, is a historic rugby and football venue established in 1928...
5
Museums
Constitution Hill is a former prison complex in Johannesburg that now serves as the seat of the South African Constituti...
6
Venues
The DP World Wanderers Stadium is a premier international cricket venue located in the Illovo suburb of Johannesburg. It...
7
Venues
The Joburg Theatre, formerly known as the Johannesburg Civic Theatre, is the primary performing arts complex in Johannes...
8
Parks
Delta Park is one of Johannesburg's largest green spaces, covering 108 hectares of grassland, woodland, and wetland ecos...
9
Places of interest
The Rosebank Sunday Market is a long-standing community flea market located on the rooftop parking deck of the Rosebank...
10
Parks
The Wilds Nature Reserve is a 16-hectare indigenous botanical garden situated on the slopes of Houghton Ridge. Originall...
11
Parks
James & Ethel Gray Park is a 36-hectare green space spanning the suburbs of Melrose and Birdhaven in Johannesburg. The p...
12
Museums
The Museum of Illusions Johannesburg is an interactive sensory experience located within The Zone @ Rosebank shopping pr...
13
Museums
The South African National Museum of Military History is the primary repository for South Africa's military past, encomp...
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
Places of interest
Northcliff Ridge Eco Park is one of the highest points in Johannesburg, offering an unobstructed 360-degree panorama of...
17
Venues
The Market Theatre is a legendary independent theatre complex in Johannesburg that played a critical role in the anti-ap...
18
Temples
Houghton Masjid, located on West Street in the Houghton Estate suburb of Johannesburg, serves as a central hub for the l...
19
Places of interest
Northcliff Hill is the second-highest geographic point in Johannesburg, South Africa, standing at approximately 1,807 me...
20
Places of interest
The Nelson Mandela Bridge is South Africa's largest cable-stayed bridge, connecting the Braamfontein and Newtown distric...
21
Historical places
The Westcliff Stairs consist of over 200 concrete steps connecting the suburb of Westcliff to the lower-lying areas of J...
22
Historical places
Mary Fitzgerald Square serves as the primary public space in the Newtown cultural precinct of Johannesburg. Named after...
23
Museums
Wits Art Museum (WAM) houses one of the most significant collections of African art in the world, featuring over 15,000...
24
Natural attractions
The Wilds Nature Reserve is a 16-hectare indigenous park situated on the slopes of the Witwatersrand ridge in Johannesbu...
25
Parks
Sandton Market @ The Park is an outdoor event space hosted within Mushroom Farm Park, located in the financial heart of...
26
Temples
Mayfair Jummah Masjid is a central place of worship serving the diverse Muslim community in the Mayfair suburb of Johann...
27
Museums
SAB World of Beer in Newtown, Johannesburg, serves as a comprehensive museum dedicated to the history and science of bre...
28
Museums
The Origins Centre at Wits University is a research facility dedicated to the history of modern humans in Africa, with a...
29
Museums
The Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) houses the largest public collection of contemporary and historical art on the Africa...
30
Parks
George Lea Park is a significant multi-use green space located in the Parkmore suburb of Sandton, Johannesburg. The park...
Around Johannesburg
Worth the short trip out of the city.
Explore by category
Jump straight to what you're into.
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 383 curated attractions in and around Johannesburg, ranked by traveller ratings.
Johannesburg Zoo is the highest-rated place to visit in Johannesburg right now.
The largest category is temples, with 198 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban.
Explore more of South Africa
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
