Think you can figure it out on your own? Think again. This Johannesburg walking tour is the best way to truly see Jo'burg like a local, by discovering the beating heart of this South African metropolis. Home to the Rainbow Nation, this fast-paced city combines the best of the new South Africa with the country’s rich cultural history, and a great way to discover it all is by foot.
Set off from the base of the Carlton Centre, first heading up to the 50th floor to soak up the views and get the lay of the land before hitting the pavements, strolling down streets lined with both historic and new building. Head down Main Street Mall, where the architecture resembles old mining buildings, and which was built as a tribute to the country’s mining heritage. Stop by Ghandi Square to see the artwork celebrating Jo'burg’s multicultural roots, before heading to the vibrant Newtown precinct. This area is one of the city’s most exciting regions, so soak it all up while visiting some of the iconic sights.
Start off at Mary Fitzgerald Square, one of the last colonial compounds, and now home to the Workers’ Library and Museum. Get a history lesson at Museum Africa to learn about the culture of Africa’s indigenous people before stopping to admire its collection of Pre-Raphaelite and Impressionist paintings. Move on to Market Theatre, now housed in the old fruit and vegetable market, which remains one of Africa’s most important cultural centres. Change pace with a visit to the SAB World of Beer (woop woop!) to learn about brewing in South Africa. It was thanks to the SAB’s multimillion rand investment into this area that the restoration of the Newtown precinct has been so successful. After a tour that dives into the history of this much-loved amber liquid, sample some of the brews on offer and enjoy a cold one in the Tap Room. Not only is this a great spot to enjoy a couple of beers and a meal, but it's also known for its views of the city. Soak it all up and enjoy a relaxing end to this truly local Johannesburg city tour.
Meeting/pick-up point: Centrally located hotels in Johannesburg.
Duration: Approx. 5-6 hours.
Start/opening time: Departure at 9:00 am.
Languages: English.
others: Dress standard: Dress standards are conservative throughout Africa. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means covering shoulders and no short shorts. We recommend a mixture of loose, lightweight clothing and warm clothing for the evenings. Shorts should be knee-length. Singlet’s and tank tops are not suitable.