Where to Stay in Johannesburg – A Guide to the Great City of South Africa
With over 8 million people living in its metropolitan area, Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa. The Gauteng Province capital is also known as Joburg, Jozi or JHB, and is located in the east of the country. Johannesburg is famous for being South Africa’s economic capital and the birthplace of Nelson Mandela. In this post, we will explore the best areas to stay in Johannesburg.
Since its humble beginnings as a gold-mining settlement in the 19th century, Johannesburg has certainly come a long way. Today, this megacity is the country’s top business destination and an emerging leisure and tourist centre.
As South Africa’s cultural hub, Johannesburg is home to some of the country’s top cultural institutions and museums; some of the most visited include the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Nelson Mandela’s House, Museum Africa, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Johannesburg Art Gallery, Hector Pieterson Museum and Madiba Freedom Museum.
Traditionally, Johannesburg has been considering a mere transit point for travellers on their way to Cape Town, Durban and the Kruger National Park. That said, in recent years, and in part thanks to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the city has experienced a tourist boom. New attractions, shopping centres, upscale hotels and restaurants have sprouted all over town and the outer suburbs. See accommodation in Johannesburg
Other must-see attractions in Johannesburg include the WeOriginate observation deck, Johannesburg Zoo and the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens.
Because of its geographical location, on the highveld plateau, Johannesburg has a subtropical highland climate. The weather in Johannesburg is sunny most of the year. The summers (December-March) are warm (19 – 30 ºC). Meanwhile, the winters (June-September) are usually cool and dry, with temperatures ranging between 4 and 16 ºC. The best time to visit Johannesburg goes from spring to autumn (October – April).
To get to Johannesburg by air, the city is served by OR Tambo International Airport. Located 22 km from the CBD, this world-class international hub is the only airport in Africa to offer non-stop services to all six inhabited continents. There are daily connections to virtually every corner of South Africa and non-stop flights to several destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and North and South America.
Johannesburg is also connected by train via the Metrorail Gauteng system. This commuter rail network connects central Johannesburg to Soweto, Pretoria, and most outlying towns along the Witwatersrand. The northern districts, including Randburg, Sandton, Midrand and Rosebank, are connected by the Gautrain light rail system.
The city also offers a bus network, taxi services, mobile apps and rental car offices.
The best area to stay in Johannesburg is the Central Business District or CBD. This lively area offers a wide variety of hotels and good transport connections to get to the city’s main attractions. See accommodation in Central Johannesburg.
Other areas to keep in mind when choosing the best location in Johannesburg include Bryanston, Randburg and Rosebank.
Passengers in transit in JNB may also consider to stay in the OR Tambo Airport area.
Keep reading to find out more about the best areas to stay in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Best Areas to Stay in Johannesburg, South Africa
1. Recommended area: Johannesburg CBD
Johannesburg’s Central Business District is one of the most popular and best-located areas in the city.
Johannesburg CBD is South Africa’s most important business district. It houses the largest collection of office highrises and skyscrapers in the country. It is also home to the city’s largest congress centres and fairgrounds.
The impressive skyline is at the same time one of the city’s main attractions. Some skyscrapers, such as the Carlton Centre (WeOriginate), offer panoramic decks with views over the city.
Johannesburg’s CBD is also very pedestrian-friendly.
The Central Business District also has great transport connections. Johannesburg Park Station, the city’s central train hub, is located in the north end of the district.
The CBD is the best area to stay in Johannesburg for business travellers or for those looking to enjoy the most modern side of the city.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Johannesburg:
- Central location
- Pedestrian-friendly
- Business hotels
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
12 Decades Art Hotel
This design hotel offers rooms decorated by some of the most famous South African artists and designers. Ellis Park Station and the bus station are 800 meters away.
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Budget
Businessburg Hotel
Businessburg Hotel is located in Johannesburg, 2.5 km from Johannesburg Stadium. The establishment is close to the Carlton Center, Gandhi Square and Constitution Hill.
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Luxury
Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg
The Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Parktonian All-Suite is located in Johannesburg, 4 km from the central business district. It has a swimming pool, modern gym and suites with balcony.
2. Bryanston
Bryanston is part of Sandton, one of Johannesburg’s most exclusive and modern residential and shopping areas.
The heart of Bryanston is its large shopping centre. Bryanston Shopping Centre contains 55 fashion stores and several restaurants.
The most popular coffee shops and gourmet restaurants in Johannesburg are located in Bryanston, so it has become a favourite place for foodies and young people.
Close to the Bryanston Shopping Centre, you will find many of the district’s bus stops, with routes connecting to the Central Business District and other areas of Johannesburg.
Bryanston is one of the best areas to stay in Johannesburg to enjoy luxury, good hotels and upscale restaurants.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Johannesburg:
- Bryanston Shopping Centre
- Great food
- Luxury hotels
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
The Royal Bryanston
The Royal Bryanston is located in Johannesburg, 7 km from the Sandton City Shopping Center. The property is 17 km from Johannesburg Stadium and 23 km from Gold Reef City & Casino.
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Budget
The River Road Stay
Offering a garden and terrace, The River Road Stay is located in Bryanston. Free Wi-Fi access is available. Rooms at The River Road Stay have views of the pool and a private bathroom with a shower.
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Luxury
Idwala Boutique Hotel
The Egyptian-themed Hop Inn is surrounded by lush gardens and features an outdoor pool and a restaurant. It is 5 minutes’ drive from Bryanston Golf Club.
3. Randburg
Randburg is a northwest district of Johannesburg.
This area mixes residential developments with the best shopping centres in town.
Some of the neighbourhoods of Randburg are Bordeaux, Boskruin, Bromhof, Crest, Darrenwood, Jukskei Park, and the popular Aldara Park.
Randburg is one of the most entertaining corners of Johannesburg, full of shops, shopping centres, restaurants, and theme parks, including Northgate Mall, the Cresta Shopping Center and Randburg Square.
Randburg is a well-connected area, with four train stations located in the central part of the district, ideal for moving to other city neighbourhoods.
Randburg is one of the best areas to stay in Johannesburg thanks to its accommodation options and affordable prices, away from the hustle and bustle of central Johannesburg.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Johannesburg:
- Shopping area
- Connected by public transport
- Wide variety of accommodation
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Mercure Johannesburg Randburg
The Mercure Johannesburg is a 3 star hotel located in Randburg, ideally located next to the Ferndale On Republic shopping and entertainment center.
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Budget
Sierra on Main
Sierra in Main is located in Johannesburg, 950 meters from Brightwater Commons. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. It also has a pool.
4. Rosebank
Rosebank is a residential and commercial district located north of Johannesburg CDB.
It is mostly an upper-middle-class district.
Rosebank has the best bars and clubs in Johannesburg, which attracts young tourists, an alternative audience, as well as the LGBT community.
Some of Rosebank’s most popular sites are Marble Restaurant, Molokai, Capital Café, and The Bank and Kong.
Other highlights of the area are the African handicraft market and the Rosebank Flea Market, in addition to famous festivals such as the annual gay pride parade.
Rosebank is also home to an important collection of high-end and prestigious hotels, making it one of the best areas to stay in Johannesburg.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Johannesburg:
- Gay area
- African handicraft market
- Hipster area
- Best area for nightlife
5. Near O.R. Tambo International Airport
The Johannesburg International Airport – Oliver Reginald Tambo, also known as the O.R. Tambo, is located in the district of Kempton Park.
This air terminal is one of the 100 busiest airports in the world, serving about 16 million passengers per year.
It is the main hub of the most important airline in the country, South African Airways, with domestic and international flights.
JNB airport is connected to the Sandton area via the Gautrain railway.
There are accommodation options near the airport that are ideal for those who stop in the city for short a stay.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Johannesburg:
- Best area for a stopover
- Good area for business travelers
- Oliver Reginald Tambo airport
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