Why go
- Largest city in South Africa.
- 1 curated must-see attraction on record, including Nelson Mandela Houghton Estate.
- Served by Rand Airport (QRA).
History
Johannesburg, colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, or "the City of Gold", is the capital city of the province of Gauteng and the largest city in South Africa. In 2022, the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality had a population of 4,803,262, and the wider metropolitan area a population of 15,099,422, making it one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. It is also the seat of the country's highest court, the Constitutional Court. Situated on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand, the city has long been at the epicentre of the international mineral and gold trade. The richest city in Africa by GDP and private wealth, Johannesburg functions as the economic capital of South Africa and is home to the continent's largest stock exchange, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Must-see attractions
Outdoor
45 more attractions in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Restaurants & places to go
Pasta, Salad, Steak, Pizza, Beer, Restaurant · Wikipedia: en:The Radium Beerhall · theradium.co.za
Cafe · Coffee, Kitchen, Bar Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-22:00 · 296 Fox Street, Johannesburg, 2043 · bertrand-cafe.business.site
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 09:30-20:30; Fr-Sa 09:30-21:30; Su 09:30-20:30 Features: takeaway, delivery · Randburg, 2195 · locations.fishaways.co.za
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-21:15; Su 11:30-21:15 Features: takeaway · Crownwood Road, Johannesburg, 2000 · location.steers.co.za
Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,Su 07:00-21:00; Tu-Sa 07:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options, step-free access · Cradock Avenue,… · doppio.co.za
Breakfast, Fine Dining, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-18:00; Sa 07:00-16:00; Su 07:00-14:00 · fournos.co.za
Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su,PH 08:00-22:00 · Beyers Naude Drive, Johannesburg · spursteakranches.com
American, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:30-01:00 · 8 Maude Street, Sandton, 2146 · hardrockcafe.com
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-21:00; Su 07:00-20:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 5th Street, Sandton, 2196 · order.kfc.co.za
African, Chicken, Portuguese, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 10:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-22:00; Su 10:00-21:00 · 289 Beyers Naudé Drive, Johannesburg, 2184 · pedroschicken.co.za
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-18:00; Sa 07:00-17:00; Su 07:00-18:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 130 11th Street · plato.coffee
Restaurant · Steak Restaurant · 40 7th Avnue, Randburg, 2193 · local-grill.co.za
Korean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We 11:30-15:00,16:30-21:30; Th-Sa 11:30-22:00; Su off Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan options, air… · banchan.co.za
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: 07:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegetarian options · fugazzi.co.za
Ramen, Asian, Dessert, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,Su off; Tu-Th 12:00-15:00,17:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · obento.co.za
Greek, Salad, Burger, Dessert, Seafood, Grill, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-22:00; Su 11:30-20:00 Features: vegetarian options, air conditioning ·… · parea.co.za
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: 12:00-23:00 · jhb.tanghospitality.com
Grill, Salad, Chicken, Seafood, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-21:00; Su off Features: vegetarian options, step-free access · thegrillhouse.co.za
Pizza, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 117 Oxford Road, Johannesburg, 2196 · locations.debonairspizza.co.za
Portuguese, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-17:00 · Van Buuren Road · bembom.co.za
Cafe/Diner, Cafe, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-21:00 Features: outdoor seating · bootlegger.co.za
Sandwich, Burger, Coffee Shop, Chicken, Ice Cream, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-20:00 Features: vegan options · 57 3rd Avenue, Linden, 2195 · karibosana.com
Sushi, Latin American, Seafood, Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: 12:00-24:00 · mamasamba.co.za
Seafood, Burger, Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,Su 11:00-22:00; Tu-Sa 11:00-22:30 · thebigmouth.co.za
Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo off; Tu-Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12:00-16:00 Features: outdoor seating · chunkychau.co.za
Bagel, Breakfast, Restaurant · Opening hours: 07:00-16:30 Features: outdoor seating · 64 Saint Andrew Street · kleinskys.co.za
Turkish, Mediterranean, Restaurant · Features: halal · istanbulkebab.co.za
French, Bakery, Dessert, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · 345 Jan Smuts Avenue · liberterestaurant.com
Fine Dining, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options · marble.restaurant
Argentinian, Grill, Restaurant · Argentinian/Grill restaurant · 128 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg · cheargentinegrill.co.za
Donut, Fast Food · Features: vegetarian options, step-free access
Indian, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · therajindianrestaurant.co.za
Chinese, Sushi, Fast Food · Chinese/Sushi fast food · 16 7th Avenue · kungfukitchen.co.za
Down To Earth Portuguese, Restaurant · Down To Earth Portuguese restaurant · 25 Albertina Sisulu Road · thetroyeville.co.za
Pie, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Local, Fast Food · Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegetarian options, step-free access
Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 08:00-12:00 · 59 8th Avenue, 1448 · papoulis.co.za
Regional, Cafe · Opening hours: 08:00 - 16:30 Features: outdoor seating
Mexican, Indian, Thai, Italian, Restaurant · Features: takeaway · wesellflavourz.com
International, Restaurant · International restaurant · 12 Main Road, 2092 · catzpyjamas.co.za
Classic, Restaurant · Classic restaurant · 44 Stanley Avenue, Johannesburg · discovery.co.za
Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00 · 32 Saint Colomb Road, 1449
Salad, Restaurant · Features: takeaway · Gwen Lane
Thai, Restaurant · Thai restaurant
Ethiopian, Restaurant · Ethiopian restaurant · 41 Stanley Avenue
348 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) 22 km to the centre
Johannesburg, GT, ZA — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 49 airlines (South African Airways, British Airways, Air Mozambique, Mango…) · direct flights to 81 destinations incl. Cape Town, London, Windhoek, Abu Dhabi, Durban… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 49 airlines, 81 direct destinations
- South African Airways SA (A319, ER3, A320, A330-200, A340-300, 737-800…) · 68 routes: Abu Dhabi, Accra, Addis Ababa*, Antananarivo*, Bangkok*, Beira*, Blantyre, Bloemfontein*, Brazzaville, Bulawayo*, Cairo*, Cape Town, Dakar, Dar Es Salaam, Dubai*, Durban, East London, Entebbe, Frankfurt, Gaberone*, George, Harare, Hoedspruit*, Hong Kong, Kasane*, Kigali, Kimberley*, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville, Lilongwe, Livingstone, London, Luanda, Lubumashi*, Lusaka, Mahe, Manzini*, Maputo, Maseru* … +28 more
- British Airways BA (734, 737-300, 737-800, A380, 747-400) · 9 routes: Cape Town*, Durban*, Harare*, Livingstone*, London, Plaisance*, Port Elizabeth*, Victoria Falls*, Windhoek*
- Air Mozambique TM (Dash 8-400, ERJ-145, 735, Embraer 190) · 6 routes: Beira, Inhambane, Maputo, Nampula, Tete, Vilankulu
- Mango JE (737-800, 737-300) · 5 routes: Cape Town, Durban, George, Port Elizabeth, Zanzibar
- US Airways US (A340-300, A340-600, A330-200) · 5 routes: Dakar, Frankfurt, London, Munich, New York
- Air Botswana BP (ATR 72, ATR 42) · 4 routes: Francistown, Gaberone, Kasane, Maun
- Comair MN (737-800) · 4 routes: Cape Town, Durban, East London, George
- Air Zimbabwe UM (762, 732) · 3 routes: Bulawayo, Harare, Victoria Falls
- Ethiopian Airlines ET (737-800, A319, A320, 777-200LR) · 3 routes: Addis Ababa, Blantyre, Windhoek*
- Qatar Airways QR (787-8) · 3 routes: Cape Town, Doha, Maputo
- Alitalia AZ (A330-200, A380) · 2 routes: Abu Dhabi, Paris*
- Asiana Airlines OZ (777-200) · 2 routes: Cape Town*, Singapore*
- Kenya Airways KQ (A319, 737-800, 767-300, 737-700) · 2 routes: Nairobi, Windhoek
- Lufthansa Cargo LH (A330-200, A340-300, A340-600, A380) · 2 routes: Frankfurt, Munich*
- Qantas QF (A340-300, A340-600, 747-400) · 2 routes: Perth*, Sydney
- Singapore Airlines Cargo SQ (777-200) · 2 routes: Cape Town, Singapore
- Turkish Airlines TK (330) · 2 routes: Cape Town, Istanbul
- United Airlines UA (A340-300, A340-600) · 2 routes: Dakar*, New York*
- Virgin Australia VA (777-200) · 2 routes: Cape Town*, Singapore*
- VivaColombia 5Z (BEH) · 2 routes: ELL, Margate
- Air Austral UU (737-800) · 1 route: St.-denis
- Air France AF (A380) · 1 route: Paris
- Air India Limited AI (A330-200) · 1 route: Mumbai*
- Air Madagascar MD (737-300) · 1 route: Antananarivo
- Air Mauritius MK (A319, A340-300) · 1 route: Plaisance
- Air Namibia SW (A319, ER3) · 1 route: Windhoek
- Air Seychelles HM (A330-200) · 1 route: Mahe*
- American Airlines AA (380, 747-400) · 1 route: London*
- Baikotovitchestrian Airlines BU (A320) · 1 route: Lubumashi
- Cathay Pacific CX (747-400) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- Delta Air Lines DL (777-200LR) · 1 route: Atlanta
- Egyptair MS (330) · 1 route: Cairo
- El Al Israel Airlines LY (767-300) · 1 route: Tel-aviv
- Emirates EK (777-300ER) · 1 route: Dubai
- Etihad Airways EY (A330-200) · 1 route: Abu Dhabi
- Hainan Airlines HU (A330-200) · 1 route: Abu Dhabi
- Interair South Africa D6 (732) · 1 route: Ndola
- Jet Airways 9W (A330-200) · 1 route: Mumbai
- JetBlue Airways B6 (A340-600) · 1 route: New York
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (777) · 1 route: Amsterdam
- Rwandair Express WB (737-700) · 1 route: Kigali
- Saudi Arabian Airlines SV (777-200) · 1 route: Jeddah
- Swiss International Air Lines LX (A330-300, A340-300) · 1 route: Zurich
- TAAG Angola Airlines DT (777-200) · 1 route: Luanda
- TAM Brazilian Airlines JJ (A330-200, A340-300, A340-600) · 1 route: Sao Paulo
- Thai Airways International TG (777) · 1 route: Bangkok
- Transaero Airlines UN (A340-600) · 1 route: London
- Virgin Atlantic Airways VS (A340-600) · 1 route: London
- World Scale Airlines W3 (A330-200) · 1 route: Lagos
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA) 31 km to the centre
Johannesburg, GT, ZA — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 3 airlines (Comair, Mango, South African Airways) · direct flights to 2 destinations incl. Cape Town, Durban (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 3 airlines, 2 direct destinations
- Comair MN (737-800) · 2 routes: Cape Town, Durban
- Mango JE (737-800) · 1 route: Cape Town
- South African Airways SA (737-800) · 1 route: Cape Town
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Rand Airport (QRA) 12 km to the centre
Johannesburg, GT, ZA — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Grand Central Airport (GCJ) 26 km to the centre
Midrand, GT, ZA — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Vereeniging Airport 42 km to the centre
Vereeniging, GT, ZA — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Tedderfield Air Park 19 km to the centre
Tedderfield, GT, ZA
Where to stay
67 Jan Smuts Ave, Westcliff, Johannesburg, 2132, South Africa · fourseasons.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adZwbCW0BLY · 36 Saxon Rd, Sandhurst, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa · saxon.co.za
Opposite Int'L Arrivals Hall, Arrivals, O.R. Tambo, Kempton Park, 1619, South Africa · ihg.com
1 Alma Rd, Morningside, Sandton, 2052, South Africa · fairlawns.co.za
Indoor
Lloys Ellis Ave, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, 2198, South Africa · thehoughtonhotel.com
10 Sandler Rd, Fairmount, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa · genesis-hotels.com
67 5th St, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, 2198, South Africa · the-shyre.co.za
10 2nd Ave, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, 2198, South Africa · dreamresorts.co.za
90 Pretoria Ave, Atholl, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa · morukuru.com
65 5th Ave, Inanda, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa · hoeveldhouse.co.za
16 Rose Rd, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, 2198, South Africa · roseroadmanor.com
4a Munro Dr, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, 2198, South Africa · greatgatsbyhoughton.com
61 North St, Melrose North, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa · thepeech.co.za
17 4th Ave, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, 2198, South Africa · residencecollection.co.za
41 2nd Ave, Parktown North, Randburg, 2193, South Africa · leighwoodlodge.co.za
167 Oxford Rd, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa · themonarchhotel.co.za
63 St Patrick Rd, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, 2198, South Africa · themunroboutique.hotels-johannesburg.com
27 Sturdee Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa · clico.co.za
Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa · deals.vio.com
Shaft 14, Northern Parkway Rd, Ormonde, Johannesburg, 2159, South Africa · tsogosun.com
66 6th Ave, Inanda, Sandton, 2196, South Africa · no66sandton.co.za
Ten Bompas Hotel, 10 Bompas Rd, Dunkeld West, Randburg, 2196, South Africa · tenbompas.com
16 West St, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, 2198, South Africa · villasimonne.co.za
9 Zulberg Cl, Bruma, Johannesburg, 2198, South Africa · citylodgehotels.com
48 Lilian Rd, Fordsburg, Johannesburg, 2033, South Africa · lilianlofts.com
39 Tyrwhitt Ave, Melrose, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa · citylodgehotels.com
120 De Korte St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa · parktonian.co.za
Cnr. Empire Road, Owl St, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2073, South Africa · southernsun.com
6 Ferreira St, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2107, South Africa · mapungubweapartments.com
4 Pritchard St, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa · thefranklin.co.za
Cnr. Northern Parkway &, Data Cres, Ormonde, 2159, South Africa · tsogosun.com
54 Bath Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa · southernsun.com
58 Anderson St, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa · reefhotel.co.za
22 Milner Ave, St Andrews, Germiston, 2007, South Africa · st-andrewshotel.co.za
Corner Tyrwitt and, Sturdee Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2132, South Africa · southernsun.com
486-C, 486 1st St, Solvang, CA 93463 · thewinstonsolvang.com
9 Church St, Mayfair, Johannesburg, 2108, South Africa · palmcontinentalhotel.co.za
9 De Beer St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2017, South Africa · bannisterhotel.co.za
Indoor
421 Larsens Rd, Muldersdrift, 1739, South Africa · moodhealthresorts.com
Nicol Rd &, Skeen Blvd, Bedfordview, Germiston, 2008, South Africa · thenicol.co.za
1 St Peter Rd, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, 2198, South Africa · booking.com
47A Atholl Oaklands Rd, Melrose North, Johannesburg, 2076, South Africa · villamoyal.com
46 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
October – March
The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.
Shoulder season
April – May, September
Milder and quieter, with better value.
Worth avoiding
June – August
The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Rand Airport (QRA); 30 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: JNB has direct flights to 81 destinations on 49 airlines (incl. Cape Town, London, Windhoek, Abu Dhabi, Durban…).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Johannesburg, South Africa. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Coaches & shuttles
Long overnight coach, around 18 hours. · Cape Town, South Africa guide →
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Charter, FBO · Managed fleet · Charter and FBOs at Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.
Tours & experiences
Sightseeing