Free Things To Do In Johannesburg

The biggest city in South Africa, Johannesburg (often nicknamed Joburg), is home to a plethora of fun things to do.

While it might not be as common of a holiday destination as Cape Town or Kruger National Park, Johannesburg has plenty of attractions, activities and free things to do in the city.

This guide includes a list of the best free attractions in Johannesburg, including the top museums and art galleries, as well as the best places to get a good view of the city. We’ve also included the top 10 rated paid attractions in Johannesburg too, so you can plan your ultimate trip there!

Free Attractions in Johannesburg

Top Rated Johannesburg Attractions

Free

Northcliff Hill

For unparalleled views of Joburg, make sure to head to Northcliff Hill where you’ll be greeted by the most spectacular scenic viewpoint of the city and beyond.

Northcliff Hill is best visited at sunset, when the whole city becomes shrouded in a mystical, sunset glow.

This free attraction gets very busy at the weekend, so it’s probably best to avoid the climb on Saturdays and Sundays, and instead make your way up to...

All Inclusive 3 Day Kruger Safari Adventure From Johannesburg

clock Duration: 3 days
  • This is a 3 day Kruger park Safari tour
  • This is a completely guided tour
  • The main attraction is the open vehicle used for the safari which makes for a more intimate connection with the wildlife
read more
Free

Multiflora Flower Market

For a chance to see Africa’s largest flower market in all its glory, get up early in the morning and head to Multiflora Flower Market in Johannesburg.

Here you’ll find the biggest collection of flowers, plants and a myriad of species of flora.

It’s the perfect place in the city to head to and take some truly beautiful pictures; they’ll be so good; you’d be hard pressed not to share them with...

Innercity Walking Tour

clock Duration: 4 hours
  • The Inner City Urban Hiking Tour combines walking and the use of safe public transport to provide a structured tour of the City’s best kept secrets. The tour passes some of the City’s most magnificent heritage sites, offering a complete cultural mix and in doing so, exposes parts of the city that most people are reluctant to...read more
Free

The Goodman Gallery is one of the oldest contemporary art galleries in South Africa, therefore, it’s the perfect place for art connoisseurs to visit!

It’s free to visit and wander around so you can check out top works of art from world famous artists, as well as more local talented creators too.

If the Goodman Gallery doesn’t satisfy your need for the arts, then head down the road and pay a quick visit to...

The Cradle of Humankind Experience

clock Duration: 7 to 30 mi
  • Being a Member and an Ambassador at the Cradle, we are fully qualified to offer this experience! We guarantee customer satisfaction during the this...read more
Free

Melville Koppies Reserve

What you need to know:

For an alternative place in the city to enjoy some of the best views of Johannesburg, hike up to the top of Melville Koppies Reserve.

While it’s not the easiest trek to the top, it’s still worth it for the stunning views of the Joburg skyline below.

Kids will love running through the long grass with wild abandonment, and you can keep an eye on them while admiring the...

Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre

clock Duration: 4 to 5 hou
  • Cheetahs are the fastest land animal in the world. They are also one of the most endangered big cats due to, among other factors, loss of habitat.

    The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre (formerly De Wildt Cheetah Centre) prides itself on its proactive approach to the research and conservation of these beautiful animals. Daily guided tours take...read more
Free

Zoo Lake

What youneed to know:

For a more peaceful and tranquil side of Johannesburg, pay a visit to the beatific Zoo Lake where you’ll enjoy spectacular views over the water and plenty of open space for an afternoon stroll.

You can even take a boat ride out across the Lake to soak up even more of the loveliness that it has to offer.

If you still didn’t get your fill of art at the...

Soweto half day Tour

clock Duration: 4 to 5 hou
  • Enjoy a half day tour through South Africa’s largest and most famous township.

    Understand the origins of the township along with the current “kasi” life before walking in the steps of legends - Nobel peace prize winners Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu at their houses in Vilakazi Street.

    This Stephenson Adventures...read more
Free

James Hall Transport Museum

The James Hall Transport Museum is the largest transport museum in the whole of Africa, so it’s the perfect day out to add to your Johannesburg itinerary!

Car fanatics, and in particular, antique car lovers, are sure to enjoy a trip to the James Hall Transport Museum.

Full of old, classic vehicles, including cars, motorbikes, steam engines and carriages, this free attraction in Johannesburg is truly one of a...

Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site

clock Duration: 4 to 5 hou
  • Escape the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg and Pretoria to explore one of the world’s richest concentration of hominid fossils with a tour of The Cradle of Humankind.

    Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, the region of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Kromdraai, the fossil sites cover an area 53,000 hectares, split across the...read more

5 Day Katekani Lodge Kruger National Park Safari

clock Duration: 5 days
  • This is a 5 day safari tour of Katekani Lodge Kruger National Park
  • Tourists are taken to 5 different locations on this 5 day tour and the tourists have ample time to spend in each place
  • The main attraction of this tour is the Big Five bush walk, game drive, morning walks
read more

Sun City Day Tour From Johannesburg

clock Duration: 8 hours
  • One of Africa’s premier vacation destinations, Sun City in South Africa is internationally recognized for its superb resort offering of hotels, attractions and world-class events. From the lavish opulence of The Palace of the Lost City to the casual elegance of the Cascades, the glamour of the annual Nedbank Golf Challenge to the tropical...read more

Elephant Sanctuary Tour From Johannesburg

clock Duration: 6 hours
  • The elephant Sanctuary provides a "halfway house" for young African elephants in need of a temporary home. It is the only operation in South Africa that provides foe elephants in this way. It is our vision to release all the elephants into an environment where they can be more independent once they are...read more

Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg

clock Duration: 4 hours
  • Depart Johannesburg in an air conditioned Minibus or Sedan. You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the Pilanesberg National Park for a safari. Lunch or Dinner is not included but can be purchased in the Park. Enjoy a 3 to 4 hours safari in the park allowing you to enjoy and spot the big...read more

Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre Half-Day Tour from Johannesburg

clock Duration: 6 hours
  • Ann van Dyk De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre has gained international recognition for bringing the cheetah back from the brink of extinction through its captive breeding programmes. This success has been unparalleled anywhere else in the world by Ann van Dyk De Wildt Cheetah Centre.Nestled in the foothills of the Magaliesberg in South...read more

Full Day Soweto & Johannesburg City Tour

clock Duration: 7 hours
  • This is one of the best Tour if you are travelling for the first time in South Africa and with a stay in Johannesburg. This Tour make you understand what South Africa was during the time of Apartheid , you visit Downton Johannesburg and see the prison where nelson Mandela and many other activist were jailed than you proceed to Soweto Township to...read more

Cradle of Humankind and Maropeng Day Tour from Johannesburg

clock Duration: 7 hours
  • Depart from your hotel in Johannesburg to The Cradle of Humankind and Maropeng to discover many hominid and other animal fossils, dating back more than 4-million years, to the birth of humanity. The most important and most famous of these fossils are “Mrs Ples”, a 2.1-million-year-old Australopithecus skull, and “Little Foot”, an almost...read more
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