11 Things Tourists Should Never Do In Johannesburg

Apart from the general safety tips, there are a few things visitors to The City of Gold should never do. Follow our guidelines to ensure a glitch-free trip.

Don’t be shocked when seeing how green it is

Johannesburg is one of the biggest man-made forests on the planet and really is an urban jungle. When on higher ground, the city is coloured in a carpet of green and purple, as Jacaranda trees are scattered throughout. Visit the iconic Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff for indescribable views.

Don’t skip the inner city

Don’t stick to malls

There’s more nature in and around Johannesburg than you can image. Grab your trainers and get outside to explore the beautiful Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, Emmarentia Dam or Melville Koppies.

Male white-bellied sunbird at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens

Don’t rent a car

Johannesburg has notoriously congested traffic, so avoiding it at all costs is your best bet. Uber is a popular mode of transport and will easily get you from A to B, without the stress of navigating an unknown city’s chaotic roads.

Don’t miss out on all the markets

There’s pretty much a market for every day of the week in Johannesburg. From farmer’s and organic markets to trendy industrial spaces stocking everything from food to clothing and artisanal crafts, you’ll find it in Jozi. Check out 1Fox at The Sheds, Neighbourgoods Market on Saturday mornings (get there early) and the Fourways Farmer’s Market for fresh produce.

Visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to markets in Johannesburg

Don’t walk alone at night

Joburgers are friendly people, but the city is still rife with poverty. Don’t wander alone when you feel it’s unsafe to do so, especially at night. Rather stay in a group or order an Uber to take you to your next destination.

Don’t try to see it all in one day

If you’d really like to experience all that this amazing city has to offer, stay for more than one day. There’s the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, tons of art galleries and museums, inner city street art tours, Soweto, and so much more to see.

Don’t forget a swimsuit

Johannesburg gets warm in summer, so warm that you’d be grateful to take a dip in a cool swimming pool. If you’re staying in a hotel or B&B the venue is sure to have one but there are also a few public pools to cool off in, including the Linden Public Pool and the Olympic-size Ellis Park pool.

Don’t go to bed early

Johannesburg is a completely different beast at nighttime as the city comes alive with music of all genres. You’d want to enjoy at least one evening out on the town, whether you prefer conventional clubbing or the underground dance scene, just keep an eye on gig guides and chat to locals about the best places to go.

Johannesburg boasts a wide range of night-time activities, from jazz bars to live shows

Don’t flash expensive things

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to take as many photos as possible when visiting a new city. Feel free to do so, but pack electronics away when not in use and rather opt for simple jewellery as opposed to that flashy diamond. Pickpockets are alive and well in the city so keep your belongings close to your body and passports and other documents locked away in your accommodation’s safe.

Don’t miss out on Johannesburg’s surroundings

Just outside of the city there’s a whole different world to explore. The Lion & Rhino Nature Reserve is great if you can’t get to the Kruger National Park but would love to get that bushveld feeling. Then there’s The Cradle of Humankind, a spot where many groundbreaking archaeological discoveries have been made.

Spot wildlife at the Lion & Rhino Nature Reserve

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.