Top Things To See And Do In Soweto

Soweto, short for South Western Townships, is saturated with history and offers visitors everything from adrenaline-fuelled activities to traditional cuisine and, of course, museums filled with potent history. Here’s our list of the top ten things to see and do when visiting Soweto in Johannesburg. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Explore Kliptown

Kliptown is a Johannesburg must-visit, as it is the site where 3000 people came together in 1955 to write The Freedom Charter, a statement of core values that served as the foundation for South Africa’s liberal constitution. The Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication is also found here, which is filled with shops, galleries and traders of all sorts.

Visit the Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial

The Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial officially opened in 2002, near the spot where Hector Pieterson, a young Soweto boy, was shot on June 16, 1976 during the Soweto Uprising. Over 500 youths were killed on this day, now known as Youth Day in South Africa, and the iconic image of Hector Pieterson’s body being carried by a fellow student has been recognised the world over.

Taste traditional cuisine

Soweto is filled with the best spots to get a taste of true South African cuisine. The uBuntu Kraal and Soweto Brewing Company breweries are best for tasting local beers, while Vuyos is a lively restaurant set in the heart of Soweto. Try the slow-cooked and crispy Mogodu (tripe) and finish the meal with a traditional malva pudding.

Wander down Vilakazi Street

Vilakazi Street is the most renowned street in the township. Former president Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu both lived here, making it the only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Prize winners. Wander the street and spot public art, memorials and, of course, visit Nelson Mandela House.

Take a peek inside the Rosa Parks Library

Rosa Parks is known as ‘the first lady of civil rights’. In 1955, in Alabama, USA, she was expected to give up her seat to a white person, which she refused to do. Her arrest resulted in the Bus Boycott, which lasted for 13 months. Given the racial turmoil in South Africa, her actions were celebrated by the oppressed. Today, a library stands in her honour.

Be entertained at the Soweto Theatre

The Soweto Theatre is a must-visit Johannesburg attraction

The Soweto Theatre hosts a wide range of productions, from Soweto Fashion Week to musical performances and works by famous playwrights like Athol Fugard. Boasting three performance venues and striking architecture, the theatre is recognised as an iconic South African building.

Go on a bicycle tour

See Soweto on two wheels by booking a bicycle tour with Soweto Backpackers. A local guide shares knowledge of important sites for either a half or full day. During the tour you’ll get a glimpse into life in Soweto, meet some of the locals, have a drink at a shebeen and stop for a bite to eat at some of the less-visited spots in town.

Bungee-jump from Orlando Towers

The famous graffitied cooling towers of Soweto, Johannesburg

Orlando Towers consists of two massive cooling towers, known for their brightly drawn exteriors that are seen from miles away. Adrenaline junkies visiting Soweto can take the opportunity to bungee-jump or free-fall from the silos.

Check out the Credo Mutwa Cultural Village

Credo Mutwa was a traditional healer and Zulu artist, and the museum-slash-exhibition space displays his sculptures created between 1974 and 1986. Mutwa’s artworks comment on African traditions and how they are juxtaposed with Western civilisation.

Step inside the Regina Mundi Church

The largest Roman Catholic Church in the country, Regina Mundi, is found in Soweto. The church was completed in 1962 and was a shelter for anti-Apartheid groups and activists.

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.

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