Flights to Johannesburg

Discover a fascinating mix of culture, history and natural wonder when you visit Johannesburg in South Africa. Book flights to Johannesburg from the UK with Airinme.com. 

Lovingly referred to as Joburg or Jozi by its residents, Johannesburg might not be South Africa's capital city but it's the biggest. And with an array of sights, you'll never be short of things to do. Get up close and personal with wild beasts at Joburg's thrilling Lion Park or learn more about the country's bitter history at the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill. Grab a bargain at Rosebank Rooftop Market and sample the live music scene of the city centre. 

Dive into the delights of Johannesburg on your holiday: book flights with Airinme.com today. 

Things to do in Johannesburg 

1. Johannesburg's cultural scene has bloomed in recent years. Take a walk around Newtown and Braamfontein to discover some of the city's best nightlife, or see a show at the world-famous Market Theatre.
2. Want to catch a glimpse of Johannesburg from above? Head to the observation deck at the Carlton Centre, the tallest office building in Africa.
3. Take the chance to learn more about South Africa's turbulent history at the Apartheid Museum, a depressing but enlightening look at the segregationist regime that remained in place until 1994. The Mandela Museum, located in Nelson Mandela's former home in Soweto, is also worth a visit.
4. Head up to Constitution Hill and take a tour of the Old Fort that once imprisoned Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi. This area is now also home to the city's new Constitution Court.
5. Book a tour of Soweto to discover this world-famous township, where some of South Africa's brightest cultural and political stars grew up. You can also take heritage tours of Sophiatown, the infamous cultural hotspot that was destroyed by the Apartheid regime in the 1950s.
6. Gold mining played a huge part in the growth of Johannesburg, and you can still visit former mines today. Explore Ferreira's Mine in the oldest part of the city or head to Gold Reef City, a theme park built over a closed gold mine.
7. Discover your inner geek when you visit the Johannesburg Planetarium and the Sci-Bono Centre, both of which promise great family fun.
8. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a trip to the tranquil Johannesburg Art Gallery. Located in Joubert Park, this gallery is home to one of Africa's biggest and best art collections.
9. You'll find even more serenity at the Walter Sisulu Botanic Gardens, a nature reserve founded in 1982. Centred around the picturesque Witpoortjie Falls, it's a blissful place for a walk or picnic in Johannesburg.
10.  Want to get up close and personal with South African wildlife? At The Lion Park, you're actually allowed to touch the lion cubs. You can also go on cheetah walks and self-drives through the park. Alternatively, take a day trip to Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve to see wildebeest, zebra, hyenas and birds near Johannesburg. 

Shopping in Johannesburg

Wander round Johannesburg and you'll find a blend of bustling markets and contemporary shopping malls. Shop for everything in this vibrant city, from traditional African art and handicrafts to designer clothes and Indian fabrics. 

Shopping malls in Johannesburg

Sandton City and Rosebank Mall are two of Johannesburg's most popular shopping centres. With hundreds of shops, restaurants and entertainment, it's easy to spend several days in these malls. But make sure you find time to visit the fascinating Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg too. 

The city's best flea markets

Looking for souvenirs? The Rosebank Rooftop Market is the city's best and most famous flea market, with hundreds of stalls selling crafts, ceramics and antiques. Also worth exploring are the flea markets at Bruma Lake and opposite the Market Theatre. 

Eating in Johannesburg

South Africa's vibrant food culture has been forged by centuries of mixed influences, and today incorporates traditional African, Indian, Malay, Dutch, British and Portuguese flavours. 

Typical South African dishes

Braais – what we'd call barbeques – are at the heart of life in South Africa. Almost any kind of meat and fish is grilled at a braai and served with pap (cornmeal porridge), but boerewors (spiced sausage) is a particular local speciality. Biltong (dried and salted strips of meat) are a common snack and bobotie (curried mince) is another South African favourite. 

Restaurants in Johannesburg

For delicious grilled dishes and great live music, head to Katzy's in Rosebank, while Wombles in Parktown North lays claim to being the city's finest steakhouse. And in Braamfontein, Narina Trogon is among Johannesburg's best restaurants. There's plenty of international fast food restaurants too – including homegrown success Nando's, which opened its first restaurant here in Johannesburg in 1987. 

Insider's Tips 

Call 10111 for emergency assistance during your holiday in Johannesburg. 

For stays of up to 90 days, British citizens do not need a visa to travel to South Africa. The local currency is the South African Rand. 

Johannesburg enjoys a subtropical climate, with hot, rainy summers lasting roughly from September to March. Winters (June to August) are much drier with generally mild temperatures. 

Getting from Johannesburg Airport 

Public transport

Take the Gautrain rail link from Johannesburg Airport to Sandton, a suburb of Johannesburg. From here, you can take a train to Park Station, the city's main railway station. You can also take a train from Sandton to Pretoria. Alternatively, catch a local Rea Vaya bus from the airport to Johannesburg. 

Airport taxis

Catch a taxi from the designated rank outside the arrivals hall. Approved airport taxis have a yellow taxi light on their roof. 

Car hire

If you're planning to drive whilst in South Africa, there are a number of car hire companies at Johannesburg Airport from which you can rent a vehicle. 

See Johannesburg Airport for more information.