Sunrise over an airport tarmac with parked airplanes.
city skyline during night time
aerial photography of urban city skyline during daytime
a street with cars parked on the side of it
a view of a city with a tennis court in the foreground

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.

About Johannesburg

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.

Culture
85
Urban
85
Adventure
65
Nightlife
55
Food
50

Top 5 highlights in Johannesburg

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

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').

2

Soweto & Mandela House

The township where the anti-apartheid movement began: Mandela's house on Vilakazi Street, Hector Pieterson Memorial, and authentic shebeen bars.

3

Maboneng Precinct

Joburg's coolest neighborhood: converted warehouses full of galleries, craft markets (Arts on Main), restaurants, and start-ups.

4

Constitution Hill

The former prison where Mandela and Gandhi were incarcerated is now home to the Constitutional Court – a symbol of change.

5

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

Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.

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Reise-SIM für Johannesburg

Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Johannesburg

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?

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

Book a package holiday to Johannesburg

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4 travel tips 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.

Food & drink in Johannesburg

These specialties you must try!

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.
Suitable for:HistoryApartheidCultureStreet ArtChangeMandelaAfrica

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