Planning 1 day in Johannesburg but worried about getting around safely?
Then keep reading, because I’m going to share my 1 day Johannesburg itinerary which highlights the best of the City of Gold.
Is Johannesburg Worth Visiting?
Most travellers’ trips will start and end in Johannesburg, but the city is often overlooked by tourists. I spent 4 nights in the city during July 2025, and it remains one of the most memorable places from my 5-week trip to South Africa.
The majority of tourists won’t have more than a day or two to spare in Joburg, so this guide to 1 Day in Johannesburg will cover the city’s most important sights using the Joburg City Sightseeing bus.
I have done numerous bus tours in cities all over the world, from Muscat to Madrid, to San Francisco to Singapore and they have all left me feeling a bit flat. Every time I get off another sightseeing tour bus, I’d think to myself – did I really just spend all that money to get soaked on the top deck of a double decker bus in rush hour traffic?
The Johannesburg City Sightseeing bus tour changed it all for me.
Most bus tours in cities across the world offer no glimpse of real life, taking you through carefully curated neighbourhoods teaming with tourists. The Joburg City Sightseeing tour is different. From the bus you can see a real city, with a diverse population going about their daily lives. You can see the effects of South Africa’s recent history on the city and it’s people. The contrast between neighbourhoods is an eye-opening experience highlighting the division in wealth and opportunity amongst it’s residents.
I would recommend if you’re coming to South Africa for the first time to spend at least 1 day in Johannesburg and do this bus tour.
Read My 3-Week South Africa Itinerary here.
Safest Places to Stay in Johannesburg
The number one concern for me when visiting Johannesburg was “where are the safest areas to stay in Johannesburg?”
A quick google search revealed that most travellers stay in the northern suburbs rather than the city centre, also known as the CBD. Some of the safest suburbs in Johannesburg are Sandton, Melrose Arch and Rosebank.
I stayed at MINT Hotel at 84 on Katherine in Sandton, I couldn’t fault this hotel and would stay again. The rooms were big and clean, the staff were friendly, and the food in the restaurant which was open all day was great. The hotel has armed security and at first, I wasn’t sure how to feel about it but I quickly learned its common practice in South Africa.
If you don’t have a car or are only staying one day and plan on taking the bus tour, I would recommend staying in Rosebank.
Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
The Joburg City Sightseeing bus stop is located in front of the Holiday Inn next to Rosebank Mall. You can buy tickets for the bus tour online on the City Sightseeing South Africa website or at the ticket office located at the mall. You get a slight discount when booking online.
It cost me R598 (around 26 GBP or 35 USD) for two adults during winter 2025 – very affordable in comparison to the bus tours in Europe and North America.
The bus takes you all around the city, from the affluent northern suburbs through the heart of the historic CBD to Gold Reef City in the south. Here you can learn about South Africa’s turbulent history at the Apartheid Museum and continue onto the city’s most well-known township on the Soweto extension tour.
I didn’t do the Soweto extension tour, but I did get off at Constitution Hill and the Apartheid Museum and highly recommend them both during your time in Johannesburg.
Joburg City Sightseeing Stops
Stop 1 – Rosebank
You can board the bus at any stop but I’d suggest starting and finishing here. The bus stop is located in front of the Holiday Inn.
Stop 2 – Melrose Arch
The first stop is the upmarket gated neighbourhood of Melrose Arch. Filled with shops, bars, restaurants and a giant statue of a rabbit playing a flute. Take note of the armoured car show rooms as you drive through.
Stop 3 – Nelson Mandela Foundation
Located in leafy northern suburb of Houghton is the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Here you can visit an exhibition on South Africa’s most prominent figure.
Stop 4 – Munro Drive Viewpoint
Continue through some of Joburg’s most affluent neighbourhood’s, taking note of the massive houses surrounded by high walls and electric fences. The bus stops for a few minutes at Munro Drive viewpoint so you can take photos of the city.
Stop 5 – Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill is one of South Africa’s most important historical sites. The site is divided into four parts: the Old Fort and Number Four Jail, housing white male and non-white male prisoners respectively, the Women’s Jail and Awaiting Trial Block and the Constitutional Court – South Africa’s highest court.
The once notorious prison complex turned museum can be explored by guided or self-guided tour. Here, you can learn about life and imprisonment during the Apartheid regime and view exhibits on some of the prison’s most famous inmates – Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.
You can also visit South Africa’s highest court – The Constitutional Court. Best visited on a guided tour to learn about the powerful symbolism behinds it’s architecture and interior design.
Opening Hours: daily, 09:00 – 17:00. One hour highlights tour or two hour full tours are available.
Stop 6 – Mining District
From constitution hill, the bus takes you through the mining district and CBD.
Joburg also known as the City of Gold was founded in the late 19th century after the discovery of gold. The gold rush led to the establishment of Johannesburg which remains South Africa’s richest city. As you continue the drive you can see remnants of Joburg’s mining past.
The CBD was once the financial heart of Johannesburg in the 1980s and 90s. When many businesses relocated to the northern suburbs, the city centre fell into decay. However, in recent years there has been efforts to regenerate this part of the city.
Stop 7 – Apartheid Museum
The Apartheid Museum is a must-visit on any trip to Johannesburg documenting South Africa’s decades-long history of racial segregation, oppression and the fight for equality.
Apartheid was a system of racial segregation that existed from 1948 to 1994. Under this system, people were classified by race, and strict laws were in place which controlled where they could live, work and go to school.
The Apartheid Museum educates visitors and shares the personal stories of those who were directly affected.
The entrance to the museum is unique, visitors are randomly assigned tickets labelled “white” or “non-white” which determines which door they enter the museum through. Travelling companions are briefly separated which sets the tone for a reflective and sombre experience.
Opening Hours: Wed-Sun, 09:00 – 17:00 (Closed Mon & Tue)
Stop 8 – Gold Reef City Theme Park & Casino Hotel
Here you can visit the Gold Reef City Theme Park & Casino Hotel, a large amusement park themed around the gold rush. The park is built on the site of an old gold mine and features an exhibit on Johannesburg’s gold mining past.
Alternatively, you can switch to a different bus for the Soweto Extension Tour.
Soweto, short for South Western Townships is home to nearly 2 million residents and played an important role in the anti-apartheid movement. I didn’t take the Soweto extension tour myself, so I can’t comment on it.
If you don’t go, you can still learn about the Apartheid era and the history of South Africa’s townships at the Apartheid Museum – which I would highly recommend.
Stop 9 – Newtown
The next stop takes you to the southern suburb of Newton where you can visit the Science Bono Discovery Centre, a science museum for children.
Stop 10 – Braamfontein
Next is the trendy neighbourhood of Braamfontein. On Saturdays you can visit the Playground Market featuring food, drinks and live music.
Stop 11 – Holocaust Museum & Genocide Museum
The Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre is both a museum and memorial, dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust and the 1994 Rwanda genocide. The museum aims to educate visitors about the consequences of prejudice and discrimination.
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri, 08:30 – 16:30, Sat & Sun, 09:00 – 15:00
Stop 12 – Johannesburg Zoo
The last stop before returning to the Rosebank Mall is Johannesburg Zoo. I didn’t visit this zoo, but ironically my best cheetah sighting in South Africa occurred whilst driving past on this bus.
Two Days in Johannesburg
If you have more than one day in Johannesburg, there are plenty of day trips to keep you entertained.
- Cradle of Humankind – UNESCO World Heritage site which explores human evolution with displays of early human fossils (45 minutes from Johannesburg).
- Pilanesberg National Park – accessible Johannesburg safari featuring the Big Five (2 hours from Johannesburg).
- Pretoria – one of South Africa’s three capital cities (45 minutes from Johannesburg)
Final Thoughts on the Perfect 1 Day in Johannesburg
With just 1 day in Johannesburg, the City Sightseeing bus is one of the best ways to get a real feel for the city.
Safety is often at the forefront of travellers’ minds when visiting Johannesburg, and this tour helps alleviate those concerns. It takes you to the city’s main highlights while allowing you to experience a range of diverse neighbourhoods – without the stress of navigating the city alone.
South Africa has a complex recent history, and Johannesburg is the perfect place to start any trip. Be sure to visit the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill so you can learn about the country’s past.