Johannesburg
Johannesburg
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Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg sits on South Africa's inland Highveld plateau and is an energetic mixture of urban luxury, economic activity and African culture. From the viewing deck of the 232-metre downtown Carlton Centre you can see the whole of the city, from the main bus terminal in western Ghandi Square to the landmark Hillbrow Tower in the north. The tower blocks of the Sandton business district are conveniently close to the airport, while south-west of the city on the edge of the gold mining belt the iconic township of Soweto officially became part of the city just after the Millennium.
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Things to do
Things to do
Start your holiday in Johannesburg in the Newtown Cultural Precinct, where the Edwardian Museum Africa's Road to Democracy exhibition explores the political upheavals of the 1990s. Take an underground tour of a former gold mine and watch the pouring of liquid gold at Gold Reef City, then brave the thrill rides at the theme park on the surface. Visit the museum in Nelson Mandela's former house on a guided tour to Soweto township. If you're lucky you'll come across traditional African cuisine and local Kwaito hip-hop music during your Johannesburg trip.
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Eating and drinking
Eating and drinking
The antiquated Fordsburg district is a hub for Johannesburg's Indian community, where locals go for spicy lamb tikka masala and fresh naan bread. Fusion restaurants in upmarket Parkhurst serve gourmet cuisine like Mozambican crab with coriander, chilli and lime, and you can drink icy mojitos at trendy cocktail bars that spill out onto the pavement. Head to Newtown on your Johannesburg holiday to dine at restaurants serving traditional dishes like Mopani worms in peri-peri sauce and tomato bredie, mutton stew. Afterwards, enjoy local jazz and a Castle beer in the area's informal, African-style bars.
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Shopping
Shopping
Buy expertly carved wooden giraffes or colourful, beaded lizards on trips to Johannesburg at Rosebank's daily African Craft Market and Sunday's Rooftop Market. The revitalised industrial buildings of ultra-cool 44 Stanley Ave in the west of the city form a funky complex full of local designer clothing boutiques and studios selling chunky, silver jewellery. For decades local Indian tradespeople around the Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg have offered cheap Johannesburg deals on pretty much anything, although the real speciality is textiles – everything from imported silks to table cloths.
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When to go
When to go
Take a trip to Johannesburg between October and March for hot summer sunshine and spectacular afternoon thunderstorms. There's no snow in winter - befriend a local and enjoy a sunny South African braai barbecue for Christmas dinner. In August spend cool evenings listening to live local and international musicians at winter's Joy of Jazz festival.