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Discover Johannesburg

Hotels, halal food, prayer spaces, things to do, and itineraries in Johannesburg.

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Johannesburg
Next prayerFajr 4:11 AM
Weather now21°C Cloudy
CurrencySouth African Rand
Best time to visitSee city guide

Must-see attractions in Johannesburg

From headline landmarks and heritage icons to parks, waterfronts, and major museums, discover 28 standout sights to build into your time in the city.

Johannesburg or Jo' burg as referred to by some residents of the city is a modern day metropolis sprawling over an area of 1600 square kilometers. With roots as being a small gold rush settlement, it has grown into the largest city of sub-Saharan Africa and the economic powerhouse of the country. A honeycomb of tunnels and caves dot the outskirts of the city. A range of Edwardian and Victorian architecture visible all over the city combines with concrete and metal skyscrapers with a web of highways running in between, to form what is Johannesburg today.

Halal restaurants in Johannesburg

Johannesburg’s food scene is part of the city experience. Choose from 33 restaurants and food districts with location notes and planning tips.

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La Belle Terrasse and Loggia

With an extensive menu and silver service combined with a breathtaking view, this is a great place to pamper your palate and senses!

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Le Canard

A superb French restaurant that has been dubbed as one of the Top Ten Deluxe Restaurants of the world! Offers a great ambience as it has been set up in an old Georgian estate and regularly sees visits by some of the most powerful business men, politicians and celebrities of the country!

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Linger Longer

Linger Longer is a beautiful restaurant encased in a beautiful pre-war estate and is famous for its signature dishes and scintillating atmosphere.

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Vilamoura

The best place for gourmet Portuguese cuisine and sea food, it offers a superb menu and dance evenings and the dining experience is sure to become one of the most memorable ones of your life!

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Bistro 277 on Main

One of the best restaurants in town, it boasts a casual, fresh and modern look and is great for splurging on some great food and having a great experience!

Where to stay in Johannesburg

Choose where to stay by trip style, from landmark luxury and family bases to central, airport, and neighborhood-led stays.

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InterContinental Sandton Towers

This hotel is ideally located in the city's most exclusive business and residential district with direct access to Sandton City shopping complex, as well as to the Sandton Convention Centre ( the largest in the country ). On entering the foyer of the hotel, one is struck by the relaxed atmosphere created by a waterfall cascading down a green wall. There are non-smoking floors and bedrooms as well as specially equipped rooms for the disabled. Throughout the hotel, understated lighting and elegant decorative touches lend a sleek sophistication. Every guest who passes through the doors of this hotel is treated like a VIP. Here comfort isn't complicated and the professional and friendly staff ensures that superior service and luxury is yours to enjoy. All 334 rooms are equipped with all the amenities to make a guest's stay luxurious and relaxing. Some of the services provided include airport handling service, safety deposit box, baby sitting facility on request, theatre, restaurant and tour reservations. All rooms feature air conditioning,satellite television, dual line telephones, voice mail and coffee and tea making facility. For the fitness freak, the hotel amenities include the outdoor swimming pool, sauna and exercise rooms. The business facilities include 10 function rooms accommodating up to 850 people. Guests can savor Portuguese and seafood dishes at Vilamoura, a popular nightspot.The Gazebo coffee shop provides light meals, snacks and delicious pastries all day.The Atrium restaurant is famous for its superb Italian specialties. Ferns features 'a taste of Africa'.

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InterContinental Airport Sun

This world class hotel is South Africa's only luxury airport resort and offers features varying from an African themed restaurant to a full gymnasium. Ideally located just across South Africa's busiest airport, it is extremely convenient for those who have long waits between connecting flights and who wish to be in the vicinity of the airport. A boon for business travelers, it offers a full range of business and conference services and facilities for up to 550 delegates. Standard rooms to executive suites offer every amenity and round the clock room service.Some rooms offer access to the internet via an infrared keyboard system.

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The Palazzo Montecasino

The Palazzo Montecasino is located in the heart of Montecasino, a world-class gaming, leisure, entertainment and retail complex. It is situated in Fourways, north of Johannesburg, close to all major highways and main business hubs and close to Sandton Convention Centre.

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The Westcliff

Want to watch elephants strolling in the zoo or hear the roar of lions by night? All this is possible with a stay in The Westcliff! Situated in the tranquil surrounds of historic Westcliff, The Westcliff Hotel's cliffside setting makes for a unique resort-style layout with spectacular views over Johannesburg's leafy northern suburbs. Stated to be Johannesburg's most luxurious hotel, one can get a spectacular view of the city's sunset and moonrise. Soak in the breathtaking view of the far-off Magaliesberg Mountains or gaze at the stars under the intense African night sky-- this sought after rendezvous has something for every guest. The 115 guest rooms and suites are provided with all contemporary amenities to make your stay memorable in every way. Most rooms feature charming terraces, balconies or private courtyards.

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The Grace

The Grace is the ideal choice for guests seeking a sophisticated and more intimate alternative to the large city hotel. Its location in the Rosebank area is one of its greatest assets. It is a small 73-room hotel, a little old fashioned, with an unpretentious charm.

History and today in Johannesburg

Read the city today, its history, residents, culture, and character before planning your route.

Visa Information

Visa Information

Citizens of selected countries may obtain visas at the Airport for a 30-day period. Other countries require the visa to be obtained prior to arrival at Colombo.

City Information

Visa Information

If you are a citizen of any of the countries listed below, you will need a visa to enter Sweden. If not, you just need a passport, unless you are a citizen of one of the Schengen countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden) in which case all you need is an ID. Citizens of these countries need visas: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua, and, Barbuda, Armenia Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Central African Republic, Ecuador, Chad, China (excl. Hong Kong and Macau), Lebanon, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Congo, Dem. Rep., Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada,

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City Information

Visa Information

When entering Italy, all foreigners must carry documentation to validate the reasons and duration of their stay. For residents of most countries a visa is required, it can be applied for at the Italian Diplomatic and Consular Representations of the country of residence.

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City Information

Visa Information

The cost of one entry visa for all nationalities is JD 10 (around $14) for all nationalities and for multiple entries it is JD 20 (around $28). Groups of five persons or more arriving through a designated Jordanian tour operator are exempted from all visa charges. Departure taxes for non Jordanians are 5JD, around $7, from any border. Certain nationalities require an entry visa to be obtained prior to travel. The below list shows which nationalities require visa clearance. The below list is meant solely as a useful tool and that data within it is subject to change without prior notice. It is recommended that you check with the Jordanian diplomatic mission in your country prior to travel to ensure that you have all the necessary paperwork for travel. Arrivals at Aqaba, either through the port, the airport or at the crossing from Israel or Saudi Arabia, are granted a free visa to Jordan. There is no obligation associated with this visa, provided that they leave the country within 1 month of arrival, and that they do not need to 'renew' their visa. Those holding an ASEZ visa, and wishing to stay longer than 1 month must extend it at the ASEZA office in Aqaba and not with their local police station as holders of a normal visa would do. Visitors arriving to Jordan at any entry point other than Aqaba, are entitled to a free visa (i.e. arrival tax is exempt). However, they must report this to the authorities and must register with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) visa office in Aqaba within 48 hours of their arrival in Jordan. Those failing to register are liable to payment of the visa when they leave the Kingdom. All visitors, without a specific exemption, must pay the exit tax whether holding an ASEZ visa or not, and whenever leaving the country.

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Visa Information

According to South African visa policies, nationals of select countries are exempt from a formal visa requirement and travelers can enter the country without one. However, UAE nationals are required to obtain a visa before entering the country and visas are required to enter the country for tourism, visiting family and friends, business meetings or seminars, and training courses that are of less than three months duration.

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When to Go

The best time to visit Johannesburg is throughout the year ! It is one of the most popular tourist sites that can be visited at any time of the year and has a lot to offer the whole year round. However, summers from December to January do get quite hot and humid. Spring, from September to October, is the most colorful season, from September to October, as flowers usually are in full bloom and the city bursts into a colorful frenzy of flowers of all sizes and fares.hues.

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City Information

Fast Facts

. Location: Gauteng, South Africa · Dialing code South Africa: +27 Johannesburg: 11 All local numbers dialed from within the city should be preceded with the area code. · Emergency numbers All Query Hotline (Johannesburg Connect): 011 375-5555 Emergency Services: 011 375-5911; Johannesburg International Airport 011 921 6262: Directory inquiries Local numbers 1023 International numbers 1903 Any Emergency 107 Ambulance 10177 Automobile Association Rescue 080 001 0101 Johannesburg Central 011 375-5911 Flying Squad - Police 10111 National Tourism Information and Safety Line 083 113 2345; · Population: The total population of Johannesburg is around 3.2 million. · Languages The primary language spoken in the city is English. However, a number of African languages as well as certain Asian languages are also spoken by the residents. · SAST: GMT/UTC + 2 · Average January temperatures High: 25 °C Low: 16 °C · Average July temperatures High: 16°C Low: 6°C · Annual rainfall 720mm or 28.8inches · Electricity 220/230V, 50Hz

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Exchange Rates

The currency used in Cape Town is the South African Rand

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Shopping in Johannesburg

Explore 44 shopping stops, from malls, markets, and book bazaars to fashion streets and souvenir finds.

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Southgate Mall

One of the best places to find anything and everything under the sun specially great furniture but at a higher price then everywhere else.

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The Glen

The Glen Shopping Center is the foremost shopping center of Johannesburg south. This mall houses specialist brand shops and national retailers selling everything from clothes, luggage, leather goods, gifts and flowers to furniture, sweets and confectionary items. The Glen also has a cinema hall and open air terraced restaurants.

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Dobsonville Shopping Centre

One of the first shopping complexes in Soweto, it is home to the major department stores and retail outlets in the city.

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Maponya Mall

Maponya Mall is the largest mall of South Africa and is home to more than 200 stores of every kind.

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Cresta

One of the largest malls in the city, it is filled with supermarkets, coffee shops, and clothing stores as well as movie theaters.

Signature sights in Johannesburg

A curated pick of the city's standout sights, led by the strongest editorial recommendations.

Festivals and events in Johannesburg

Plan around 6 festival seasons, public events, Ramadan/Eid periods, book fairs, art cycles, and winter food activity.

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FNB Dance Umbrella

The Dance Forum was created in 2003 to promote contemporary dance and to provide platforms for contemporary dance performances. The FNB Dance Umbrella has been presenting performances for the last 20 years and is one of the premier events of the city that promotes youth groups and up and coming choreographers from all over South Africa. The Dance Umbrella is a series of events extending from February into March. It is held in Wits Theatre, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein and The Dance Factory, Newtown Website: www.artslink.co.za/arts

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Rand Easter Show

The Rand Show is an annual consumer exhibition and entertainment forum that displays everything from furniture and home ware to sportswear to specialty and hobby related items. It is a huge exhibition attracting over 500,000 people every year with music concerts, stage acts and amusement park rides. It is regularly held at the Expo Centre, Nasrec Roads, Nasrec, which is just south of the city. Website: http://www.randshow.co.za/

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Decorex

The Decorex exhibition is an annual exhibition of home decor and design highlighting contemporary and traditional furnishings and home design styles of the new year. It is held in the Gallagher Estate, Midrand, every year in the second week of the month and runs for 5 days. Website: http://www.decorex.co.za

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Joy of Jazz

An exhibition specially designed for jazz lovers! It is a multi faceted event celebrating South Africa's jazz musicians who are an integral part of the country's art and cultural heritage. It is held in the 3rd week of August every year in Newton. Website: http://www.joyofjazz.co.za

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The Getaway Show

An annual exhibition promoting travel and tourism as well as outdoor products which is a relatively interesting visit for tourists as it comes packed with activities such as The Drop Tower ride and the Cave of Horros. It is held in the last week of August every year, at The Coca Cola Dome in Northgate, Corner Olievenhout Avenue, Randburg. Website: http://www.getawayshow.co.za/

Johannesburg tours and experiences

Heritage walks, food crawls, coastal trips, museum circuits, family days, and guided ideas for an easier day out.

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Walking Tours

1. Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust Telephone: +27 (0)11 482-3349 Website: http://www.parktownheritage.co.za Sites Visited: They offer fairly well guided walking tours of about three hours on Saturday afternoons that cover most of Parktown and Westcliff.

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Bus Tours

The best way to tour the city is by hiring one of these bus tour operators that offer a range of full and half day tours. Most of these operators use minibuses and pick up from all hotels. The tours cover Soweto, Gold Reef City, the Lion Park, Lesedi Village and Pretoria city tours, and the City Center tours cover the central areas as well as the viewing platform at the top of the Carlton Center.

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Other Tours

1. Historical Flights Telephone: 0800 980 321 Website: http://www.historicflight.co.za/ This tour service runs historic aircrafts such as a Junkers JU52 from the South African military for slow and low flights over the city.

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Johannesburg travel guide sections

Focused sections for articles, directories, maps, and trip planning.