Johannesburg (more commonly known as “Joburg”), South Africa, is one of the most diverse, liveliest cities in the world. Sitting at a high elevation of 5,751 ft in the mountains, this city is often referred to as “The City of Gold” because of its beginnings as a gold-mining town. It now has almost 6 million residents.
The size of this city leaves so much to do, all day every day, but don’t worry. This article will tell you exactly how to spend your day.
For breakfast, head to Tashas Cafe at shop g28, the zone RoseBank, Oxford Road, Rosebank. This popular café in the Rosebank area is inspired by New York City cafés. It offers a diverse menu featuring breakfast items, sandwiches, pastries, crepes, and healthy options that will leave you with a full stomach and the perfect way to start your day.
Once you have a full stomach, head over to The Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, located on Northern Parkway and Gold Reef Road. By car, this should only take 12 minutes. The Apartheid Museum includes a range of exhibits, including photographs, artificial, and personal narratives which will leave you with a better understanding of this systemic racial segregation that defined the country for years. Right down the street is Constitution Hill, where you’ll learn about South Africa’s transition from colonialism to democracy. This site includes the Old Fort Prison Complex, where notable figures like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were once detained. Today, it houses the Constitutional Court which is the equivalent of the Supreme Court in South Africa. This is an emotionally charged place, so spend as long as you need here.
For lunch, take care of yourself after your morning and go to the Leafy Green Cafe. This cafe is half an hour away from the Apartheid Museum, so make sure you have an Uber ready. It’s a vegan and vegetarian restaurant which is situated on the gorgeous Casalinga Farm in Muldersdrift, Joburg. This café serves fresh, organic, and plant-based cuisines which are appealing to all and make for a delicious and balanced lunch.
Once you’ve had lunch, you should head to Gold Reef City Theme Park at Northern Pkwy & Data Cres, 2159. This theme park is a 30-minute drive away from Leafy Greens Cafe and includes an assortment of attractions along with historical information scattered through it. It was once situated on a gold mine, and it’s themed around the gold rush era of the late 19th century.
For dinner, I recommended The Grillhouse, one of the most popular steakhouses within Joburg. It offers excellent food, wonderful service, and an upscale yet welcoming environment. There are several locations around the city including the Melrose Arch, Rosebank, and Sandton, so you’ll have no trouble accessing this popular restaurant. This Grillhouse has a sophisticated yet warm atmosphere perfect for business dinners, celebrations, and a nice dinner for friends and family which will be a great way to spend your night.
There’s no better way to end your day than watching the sunset! Whether in your hotel room, from dinner, or in your Uber, watch and appreciate Joburg’s beauty as the sun settles beneath the mountains covering the sky in beautiful colors!