Johannesburg
South Africa
- Apartheid Museum
- Constitution Hill
- Soweto
- Mandela House
- Cradle of Humankind
About Johannesburg
Johannesburg is South Africa's largest city and its economic heart. It grew rapidly after gold was discovered on the Witwatersrand in 1886.
The Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill and Soweto tell the country's recent history, while the Cradle of Humankind to the northwest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its fossil finds.
Natural phenomena and seasons
- Jacaranda blossoms (October–November) — From October–November, the city's streets turn purple with jacaranda blossoms.
How many days do you need?
Allow three days: one for the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, one for Vilakazi Street and Mandela House in Soweto, and one for the Cradle of Humankind. The arts spaces of Maboneng and Braamfontein are also worth a visit.
Where to stay
- Sandton — The business hub, with large hotels, malls and a Gautrain station.
- Rosebank — More walkable, with galleries, cafés and a Gautrain station.
- Melville — A relaxed, bohemian suburb with cafés and guesthouses.
From the airport to the city
O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) lies east of the city. The Gautrain rapid rail links the airport with Sandton, where you can continue to Rosebank and Park Station. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are also available.
Getting around
The Gautrain connects the northern suburbs with Pretoria, and Rea Vaya BRT buses serve the centre and Soweto. Distances are long, so many visitors rely on ride-hailing apps.
Good to know
- Check current official travel advisories before you travel. Keep valuables out of sight and use a car rather than walking after dark.
- The city sits at about 5,700 feet; summers (November–March) bring afternoon storms, while winters are dry with cold nights.
- South Africa has twelve official languages, and English is widely used. The currency is the South African rand.
Useful links
- Gautrain gautrain.co.za
- ACSA (South African airports) airports.co.za
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: February–May and August–November. The warmest month is October (average high 81 °F); the wettest is January (5.0 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 80.2 | 4.96 | Good |
| February | 80.6 | 3.24 | Ideal |
| March | 78.4 | 3.00 | Ideal |
| April | 72.9 | 1.99 | Ideal |
| May | 68.9 | 0.65 | Ideal |
| June | 63.7 | 0.28 | Good |
| July | 63.9 | 0.12 | Good |
| August | 70.3 | 0.19 | Ideal |
| September | 78.8 | 0.63 | Ideal |
| October | 81.1 | 2.18 | Ideal |
| November | 81.0 | 3.62 | Ideal |
| December | 80.8 | 4.93 | Good |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- Human Rights DayMarch 21
- Public HolidayMarch 22
- Good FridayMarch 26
- Family DayMarch 29
- Freedom DayApril 27
- Workers' DayMay 1
- Youth DayJune 16
- National Women's DayAugust 9
- Heritage DaySeptember 24
- Day of ReconciliationDecember 16
- Christmas DayDecember 25
- Day of GoodwillDecember 26
- Public HolidayDecember 27
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencySouth African Rand (R)
- Dialling code+27
- Plugs & voltageType C, D, M, N · 230 V · 50 Hz
- Emergency112 · Police 10111 · Ambulance 10177
- DrivingOn the left
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.