10 Souvenirs To Buy In Johannesburg

Make sure you never forget your visit to the vibrant city of Johannesburg by picking up one of these souvenirs. Whether you’re after a unique fashion item or a memorable book, here’s our round up of the best souvenirs to buy in the city.

Artisanal spirits from Time Anchor Distillery

Time Anchor Distillery is the city’s first craft distillery and was started in 2015 by Shanna-Rae Wilby and Warrick Brown. The distillery produces a range of unique rums, gins and other liqueurs and is situated in the trendy Aerial Empire complex in Maboneng.

Time Anchor Distillery is open on weekends for tours and tastings

A Johannesburg sky-line mug from Love Jozi

The locally produced mug is the perfect souvenir if you’re after something small

Beautiful gold jewellery from Henriette Botha

Also known as The City of Gold, pure gold is definitely representative of Johannesburg and can be found in the form of gorgeous jewellery pieces, from big manufacturers as well as independent designers. We especially like jewellery designer Henriette Botha’s ranges, as her quality products have a unique African flair.

A leather jacket from Vintage Zionist

Vintage Zionist is a clothing brand popular for their rock ‘n’ roll style leather jackets. Situated in Maboneng, the store creates jackets by repurposing second-hand leather garments, recycling old garments and turning them into fashion forward pieces.

African craft from the Rosebank Sunday Market

The Rosebank Sunday Market is on, as the name suggests, every Sunday from 9am to 4pm. The market is well-known for its authentic assortment of African crafts and is the ideal place to invest in a special piece that will forever remind you of Johannesburg.

There’s a wide variety of African craft for sale at the market, including sculptures and fabrics

A Kruger Rand

A Kruger Rand is a fantastic souvenir if you’re willing to splurge, as you’ll take home a piece of gold with historic value. These gold coins were introduced in 1967, but international export thereof was banned because of its association with the apartheid government. Today however, Kruger Rands are being sold widely and are worth approximately R17,000 (£1,000).

Mandela memorabilia

Johannesburg was home to Nelson Mandela and icons of the Nobel Peace Prize winner and freedom fighter are seen all over the city. From The Apartheid Museum, the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton to inner city statues and street art. Nelson Mandela memorabilia, in the form of artwork, coasters, t-shirts, books and more, is available in most curio stores, galleries and markets in Johannesburg.

Ndebele art from Lesedi Cultural Village

A visit to The Lesedi Cultural Village is the best way to experience the cultures of traditional South African tribes, including Ndebele, Zulu and Xhosa. The village is situated in the historic Cradle of Humankind area and visitors can purchase beautiful arts and crafts – characteristic of the different cultures that call the village home.

Colourful beadwork can be bought at Lesedi Cultural Village

A souvenir from the Apartheid Museum gift shop

A visit to Johannesburg is incomplete without visiting the Apartheid Museum, and of course, browsing the museum gift shop for the perfect souvenir. Whether you’re after something small, like a magnet or coffee mug, or a more substantial souvenir like a book or poster, an item from the Apartheid Museum gift shop will forever conjure up memories of your visit to this important site.

A clothing item from Stitch and Steel

Stitch and Steel is a Johannesburg-based clothing and accessories brand with distinctive African inspired pieces. Fabrics and prints are sourced from all over Africa and garments include dresses, tops, jumpsuits, shoes and more. To ensure that each product is unique and not overly produced, only a few of each garment is sold, ensuring exclusivity.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.