Holiday in Johannesburg
City in South Africa — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇿🇦
Country
South Africa
Type
City
Best time to travel
May–September (Winter: dry, clear, mild)
Budget/day
50–90 €
Getting there from Germany
Direct flights from Frankfurt to O.R. Tambo (JNB) in 10.5 hours. No visa required for Germans (90 days). Gautrain to Sandton in 15 minutes.
Deals for Johannesburg:
What makes Johannesburg special as a destination?
Johannesburg, affectionately known as Jozi or Joburg, is South Africa's largest city and a fascinating melting pot of cultures that is rapidly reinventing itself. The city, which was once founded during the gold rush, has transformed into a creative hub with a vibrant nightlife, innovative gastronomy, and a lively art scene. The Apartheid Museum is one of the most impressive museums in the world, telling the story of racial segregation and its overcoming with shocking intensity. Soweto, the former township where Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu lived, is now a vibrant neighborhood full of energy — Vilakazi Street is the only street in the world where two Nobel Prize winners lived. The Mandela House Museum is a moving place of historical significance. Maboneng and Braamfontein are the creative heartbeats of the city: galleries, street food markets, design studios, and rooftop bars have transformed once-decaying industrial areas into trendy hotspots. The Rosebank neighborhood offers the Sunday Rooftop Market with local art and delicacies. From Johannesburg, one can reach Kruger National Park for safari experiences in just a few hours by car. The best time to visit is from April to September during the mild winter.
What are the top highlights in Johannesburg?
The top highlights in Johannesburg include Apartheid Museum, Soweto & Mandela House, Maboneng Precinct, Constitution Hill, Cradle of Humankind.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Apartheid Museum
The most moving museum in South Africa tells the story of racial segregation from the inside – you enter through separate entrances ('Whites' / 'Non-Whites').
Soweto & Mandela House
The township where the anti-apartheid movement began: Mandela's house on Vilakazi Street, Hector Pieterson Memorial, and authentic shebeen bars.
Maboneng Precinct
Joburg's coolest neighborhood: converted warehouses full of galleries, craft markets (Arts on Main), restaurants, and start-ups.
Constitution Hill
The former prison where Mandela and Gandhi were incarcerated is now home to the Constitutional Court – a symbol of change.
Cradle of Humankind
The 'Cradle of Humankind' (UNESCO) is located 50 km west: Sterkfontein Caves with 3.3 million-year-old fossils – this is where human history began.
Hotels in Johannesburg
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Reise-SIM für Johannesburg
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Johannesburg?
The best time to visit Johannesburg is May–September (Winter: dry, clear, mild). Warm, 25–30 °C (1,750m altitude), heavy afternoon thunderstorms with hail possible In winter: Dry and mild, 5–18 °C, cold nights but sunny days – perfect for sightseeing
Recommended travel time
May–September (Winter: dry, clear, mild)
Summer
Warm, 25–30 °C (1,750m altitude), heavy afternoon thunderstorms with hail possible
Winter
Dry and mild, 5–18 °C, cold nights but sunny days – perfect for sightseeing
How much does a holiday in Johannesburg cost?
Budget travellers: 25–40 €/day, mid-range: 50–90 €/day, luxury: 120–300 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
25–40 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
50–90 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
120–300 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Johannesburg?
Direct flights from Frankfurt to O.R. Tambo (JNB) in 10.5 hours. No visa required for Germans (90 days). Gautrain to Sandton in 15 minutes.
Book a package holiday to Johannesburg
Compare thousands of package holidays to Johannesburg and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Johannesburg?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Uber is the safest and cheapest way to get around – cheaper than in Europe and available everywhere.
Visit Soweto with a local guide – organized tours provide insights that you won't get on your own.
The Gautrain connects the airport, Sandton, and Pretoria quickly and safely – South Africa's only high-speed train.
Visit Maboneng on Sunday for the Market on Main – street food, art, and live music in a unique atmosphere.
What should you eat in Johannesburg?
Typical specialities in Johannesburg: Bunny Chow — A hollowed-out half loaf of bread filled with spicy curry – originally from Durban, but found everywhere in Joburg., Braai — South Africa's sacred grilling ritual: boerewors, sosaties, corn on the cob – best enjoyed with locals around the fire., Pap en Wors — Maize porridge with grilled boerewors sausage and chakalaka (spicy vegetable salad) – the typical township food., Gatsby — A huge sandwich (30-40 cm) with chips, meat, salad, and sauce – originating from Cape Town, but just as popular in Joburg., Amarula — Liqueur made from the marula fruit – South Africa's most famous drink, enjoyed neat or in a cocktail. Elephants love the fruit too..
These specialties you must try!
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