Stories · South Africa
A weekend in Johannesburg
Told the way I’d tell a friend, step by step.
My first time in Johannesburg, I tried to see everything and mostly saw queues. Now I do it differently: a few places a day, the right ones, in the right order. Here is my 2-day thread.
Day 1 · Museums and culture
Early in the morning, it’s Mandela's House. I always pick two or three rooms rather than seeing everything. You walk out light. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.5 out of 5 (6,150 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise go through Tiqets.
Around noon, meet me at Hector Pieterson Memorial. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. 4.5 out of 5 across 4,369 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or also check Tiqets.
Lunch without a plan: the first noisy room you pass is often the right one.
Later, I make my way to Apartheid Museum. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (7,487 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or compare on Tiqets.
To end the day, head to Gold Reef City Theme Park. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.5 out of 5 across 41,057 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Johannesburg is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 2 · Museums and culture
In the morning, it’s Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.5 out of 5 across 6,891 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or also check Tiqets.
Late morning, I make my way to Pieter Roos Park. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.
For lunch, trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
After lunch, head to Johannesburg Art Gallery. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.
In the evening, it’s Wits Art Museum. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. 4.5 out of 5 across 1,432 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Johannesburg does the rest.
If you’re still hungry
Other places I wish I could have fitted in: Museum of Illusions Johannesburg, The Wilds Nature Reserve, Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, South African National Museum of Military History, Rosebank Mall and FNB Stadium. Slip them in wherever a day feels light.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
There. The rest is yours: the detours, the encounters, the café that becomes your own.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.