Johannesburg Things to Do - Attractions & Must See

As one of the most thriving cities in Sub-Saharan Africa, Johannesburg stands out as a city full of culture, extravagance, and fun. There are endless options of tourist attractions to see in Johannesburg, but here are a few that you can't miss.

Built on a former gold mine, Gold Reef City is a combination of a theme park, museum, casino, and hotel, established as a massive entertainment complex for locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy a tour of the gold mines or head straight for the roller coasters.

Johannesburg has a rich history and many cultural attractions to see, but one of the more solemn destinations is the Apartheid Museum, one of the few museums in the city. The museum allows visitors to experience the troubling past of the city by literally experiencing segregation at the museum entrance to the many interactive exhibits throughout the museum.

One of three casinos in Johannesburg, the Montecasino is certainly the most popular. The Tuscan themed casino is built in the form of a city walk with many shops, cafes, and of course, slots, blackjack tables, and more. Some of the most entertaining sights include jugglers, acrobats, and fire breathers that perform around the casino.

For a taste of the old and new Johannesburg, head to Constitution Hill where you can tour the newly fledged democratic country's main court, and then walk over to former apartheid-era prisons and the Johannesburg Fort. The juxtaposition of the city's current seat of power next to the famous prisons where Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were once imprisoned provide a remarkable glimpse into the Afrikaner culture and the nation's rugged history.

Nicknamed Soweto, the South Western Township is a neighborhood filled with history. It contains Nelson Mandela's old home and the Hector Pietersen Museum, which was named after a 12-year-old boy killed in the famous Soweto uprisings during the apartheid. In addition to witnessing the site of many riots that changed the political landscape of South Africa, you can also go bungee jumping at the township's famous disused cooling towers.

Editor's Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Johannesburg.