Cheap flights to Johannesburg: compare ticket prices to Johannesburg on liligo.com

Johannesburg, also known as Joburg or Jozi, is without a doubt the heart of South Africa’s culture and identity. You’ll find a mix of it all here. Despite its history and how it’s portrayed in media, Johannesburg is an emerging city, still trying to figure out how to make it in the twenty-first century. It’s a crawling metropolis overflowing with greenery and unique experiences. While on holidays in Johannesburg, retrace this country’s historical roots at the different museums, rediscover the gold rush, explore caves and enjoy the sunshine. Eat like a local and blend in, you’ll be just fine.

Essentials in Johannesburg

If you have just a few days to see the city, start in Soweto where the Apartheid Museum is located. Make sure you get some shopping in and a chance to try some of South Africa’s delicious foods at a family-run restaurant. You can really cater your trip here according to your interests since the city is so wild. Take a trip to the Cradle of Humankind if you’re interested in history and palaeontology or head to Sun City. As far as the city goes, there's nothing better than just strolling the streets and hopping from coffee shop to the other and stopping in at art galleries along the way.

Apartheid Museum: The Apartheid Museum takes visitors every step of the way through South Africa’s history. There are photographs and documents, bringing a brutal history to life. Organised chronologically, this museum is chilling and real. It’s a must-see.

Old Kromdraai Gold Mine: This is the country’s oldest gold mine; it was first found in 1881. Put on your miner’s helmet and wander through the mine on a guided tour leaving every hour. You’re more likely to spot a bat than a nugget of gold though.

Mandela Museum: The National Mandela Museum is located in the house where he lived from 1946 until 1962. It is filled with family trinkets and belongings, photographs and memories. You’ll find bullet holes and markings left from Molotov cocktails on the walls.

Origins Centre at University of Witwatersrand: One place at this university that shouldn’t be missed is the Origin’s Centre, a museum dedicated to exhibiting human development over that last 100 000 years of history. There is a vast variety of displays using photography and text.

Sterkfontein Caves: Also known as the Cradle’s fossil sites this was the place where Mrs. Ples was discovered in 1936, the skull of an Australopithecus africanus that is more than 2 million years old. This find confirmed that humanity originated in Africa. There are guided-tours leaving every hour at 00:30. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Find more information on joburgtourism.com.

Accommodations in Johannesburg

You’ll find the best hotels in Johannesburg in the Northern part of the city; this is also the safest area. Many hotels are located near malls and police presence is notable. You can find bed & breakfasts in Melville and Soweto too. The best time to travel to Johannesburg is in December and January when rates are cheaper. The busier months are from June to August, the European summer. If there is a major conference happening, expect many of the major hotels to be booked up with business travellers.