Things to do in Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the largest metropolis and the commercial hub of South Africa. It started off as a gold-mining community in the 19th century and is also known as Jozi, Joburg, or Egoli (City of Gold in Zulu).

This multicultural metropolis is more than just a place to buy. Here is a list of family-friendly activities to do in greater Johannesburg and the neighborhood whether you’re visiting Johannesburg or just searching for things to do in the city.

Even without children, you will still find most of them enjoyable. I have already written about several of these locations in detail, but because lists are more condensed and accessible, I have included them below.

Also Read: Things to do in Cape Town, South Africa

Best Activities in Johannesburg

1. The Johannesburg City Sightseeing Bus

If you’re visiting Johannesburg for the first time, the hop-on hop-off bus is a terrific way to experience the city’s highlights.

Even if you have lived here all your life, you may still discover new things about Johannesburg and get a fresh perspective on the city.

The bus will take you to many of the top Johannesburg sites, including those that are on our list. Additionally, it has a Soweto expansion, which I heartily endorse.

2. Gold Reef City

One of the most enjoyable things to do in Johannesburg is to go to Gold Reef City. The only theme park in South Africa is situated on the site of a former gold mine and offers over 30 rides for guests of all ages.

A 4D exhibition, underground mining tour, gold pouring demonstration, and much more are other options.

3. Sci-Bono

Sci-Bono is a hands-on science center where experiments and colorful, interactive gadgets are used to demonstrate scientific principles.

Children are urged to try anything and everything. At the museum, special exhibitions are frequently held.

4. Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens

The Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, one of South Africa’s ten National Botanical Gardens, are the ideal location in Johannesburg to reconnect with nature. It has a waterfall and a pair of Verreaux’s Eagles that breed there.

5. Nizamiye Mosque

A scaled-down version of the Selimiye Camii mosque in Turkey may be seen at Nizamiye. The biggest mosque in the Southern Hemisphere is located there.

The mosque complex also houses a bakery, a museum, and a Turkish restaurant. Free tours are offered, and admission is provided.

6. The Apartheid Museum

The Apartheid Museum provides vivid depictions of life during apartheid for South Africans.

To understand what our country has gone through and why our current accomplishments matter so much more, every South African and tourist to South Africa need to visit this museum at least once.

7. Liliesleaf Farm

A significant element of the struggle against apartheid was performed by the historic site Liliesleaf Farm.

Incriminating information was discovered here, and as a result, Nelson Mandela and the other defendants in the Rivonia trial were detained and found guilty.

8. The Mandela House and Soweto

Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world to have produced two Nobel Prize winners—Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu—is located in Soweto, the largest township in Johannesburg.

The riots on June 16, 1976, were started by the shooting death of 13-year-old Hector Pieterson there as well.

One of the most significant Mandela locations in South Africa is No. 8115 Vilakazi Street in Soweto. From 1946 until the 1990s, Nelson and Winnie Mandela lived there.

The residence is now a museum with items from the Mandela family’s collection. The Hector Pietersen Museum is only one of the intriguing attractions in Soweto to visit.

9. Alexandra Township

The oldest and most historic township in Johannesburg is Alexandra Township. Nelson Mandela initially resided there when he arrived in Johannesburg. Explore more information on Alexandra Township.

Also Read: The Best Manual for your Next Safari in South Africa

10. Constitution Hill

World-famous heroes like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were detained atop Constitution Hill, a historic jail and military fort.

11. The Johannesburg Zoo

Despite the fact that I dislike seeing animals kept in captivity, not everyone has the money to go on a safari.

Additionally, zoos may be instructive, particularly for kids, provided that the animals are well-cared-for. A pleasant and instructive excursion is to the Johannesburg Zoo, especially for small children.

12. Walking

A bustling metropolis may not seem like a place for hiking, but Johannesburg does contain one of the largest artificial woods in the world.

Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve and Modderfontein Nature Reserve, which contain natural springs, dams, grassland, and hills, are only two of the reserves in and around Johannesburg where one may go hiking.

The majority of these areas are also home to animals, allowing you to enjoy some game viewing while hiking.

13. Zoo Lake

This lakeside picnic and pleasure place is well-liked. You may feed the ducks while rowing a boat. There are also playgrounds for children and eateries on-site.

14. Emmarentia Dam and the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens

Alongside the Emmarentia Dam are these huge gardens. A rose garden, a Shakespearean garden, and a Huguenot memorial are some of its highlights. You may have a picnic, observe the ducks, and hire a canoe.

15. James Hall Transportation Museum

This is the biggest land transportation museum in South Africa. It features a sizable collection of antique vehicles from 400 years ago! There are also some oddball cars, like this one with an orange theme.

16. Lindfield House

Even though a Victorian home would be the last thing you would expect to find in Johannesburg, there is one, and it is interesting.

You may have a tour with the business’s owner, Katharine Love, who still resides there, and then partake in high tea afterward.

17. The Collectors Treasury

Visit the biggest secondhand and rare bookstore in Africa, and perhaps the whole Southern Hemisphere, to get lost in a literary maze. It is a sight to behold, with over two million books strewn across eight stories.

18. The top of Africa

For the greatest panoramic views of Johannesburg, head to the Top of Africa, which is located on the 50th level of the Carlton Centre, Africa’s highest structure.

19. The Cradle of Humankind: Maropeng

One of Africa’s richest fossil sites is this one. Ancient caverns may be explored, and the discoveries are fascinating to see. An attraction in and of itself is the nicely constructed visitors’ center.

20. ABSA Money Museum

The Absa Money Museum offers information on the development of South African currency. They have a collection of old South African bills that date back more than 4500 years.

21. Nairobi Planetarium

It was Africa’s first full-sized planetarium. On space, there are ongoing programs.

22. Origins Center

A sizable collection of palaeoanthropological and archaeological items, including rock art and fossils, may be found in the Origins Centre.

23. The Adler Medical Museum

The Adler Museum of Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School Campus in Parktown offers information about medical history.

Over 40 000 items that trace the development of medicine and dentistry are kept there.

24. Soweto Towers

The Soweto Towers, formerly the cooling towers of a shut down coal-fired power plant, are now a destination for extreme sports adventures.

The first bungee leap between two cooling towers and the tallest Suspended Catch Air Device (SCAD) Freefall in the world are among the attractions.

25. Satyagraha House

Visit Mahatma Gandhi’s former residence, Satyagraha House. The years 1908 and 1909 saw him there. It is currently being used as a guest home and museum.

26. Mandela Center of Memory

Madiba’s post-presidential office, which is located at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in Houghton, has been kept exactly as he left it the last time he was there.

Additionally, it has a cutting-edge archive and exhibition areas where you can view copies of significant mementos and things from Madiba’s life.

27. Honeydew Mazes

Honeydew Mazes is a fantastic location for a trip with family, friends, or coworkers. They have a large, reed-made elemental maze as well as kid-sized mazes.

They also have a corn maze in the summer. Teams are handed a clipboard with a series of puzzles, which they must solve by navigating the maze, discovering the haphazardly hidden clues, and performing the tasks in the lovely secret gardens.

28. Acrobranch Melrose

Adrenaline enthusiasts must try Acrobranch. It is an aerial adventure that takes place in Melrose’s James and Ethel Gray Park and has zip lines, tightropes, ladders, swing bridges, and other challenges that transport you from tree to tree. Your strength, stamina, and balance will all be put to the test.

29. Kromdraai Gold Mine

Experience the life of a gold miner in the 19th century by seeing one of Johannesburg’s oldest gold mines.

30. Happy Island Waterworld

One of Johannesburg’s newest attractions is this one. The two biggest wave pools in Africa may be found at this aqua adventure park.