As South Africa’s biggest city and the place Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu once called home, Johannesburg has had a difficult past, and its many unforgettable sights acknowledge and respect that troubled history. Since the end of apartheid, Joburg (as it’s known to locals) has been steadily attracting travelers with an interest in experiences that will leave an indelible mark on the mind and spirit.
Here are some of the most intriguing Johannesburg attractions. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Apartheid Museum
While most of us know about South Africa’s history of apartheid and the rise of iconic leader Nelson Mandela, it’s another thing entirely to see and feel firsthand the artifacts and images from the country’s fight for democracy. Visitors to the Apartheid Museum are immediately confronted with the cruel realties of life under apartheid with the museum’s two separate entrances, one for whites and the other for non-whites.
Inside, guests learn how Black South Africans were classified and divided based on arbitrary features like the width of their noses and prevented from even walking in white neighborhoods unless they had proper documentation. A visit to this museum is a brutal, emotional, and transformative experience that is one of the best ways to gain insight into South Africa’s complex and compelling history.
Constitution Hill
If the Apartheid Museum immerses guests into South Africa’s harrowing past, Constitutional Hill showcases its pursuit of hope and justice as it found its way as a fledging democracy.
The Constitution Hill complex, built on the foundation of an old prison, houses the country’s Constitutional Court, which is the highest court of law in South Africa (akin to the U.S.’s Supreme Court). Officially inaugurated in 1995 by President Nelson Mandela, it’s where 11 of the country’s most powerful judges decide landmark human rights issues.
The site also features the remains of three of the country’s most notorious prisons: Old Fort, Women’s Jail, and Number Four. Those jails once held the likes of iconic political activists Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Private and public tours of the area are available, and visitors can actually even go inside the courtroom as long as it’s not in session.
Wits Art Museum
This underappreciated attraction is definitely worth a look for an inspiring journey into the world of African art. Wits Art Museum, which is free to visit, features more than 12,000 historic and contemporary works from across South Africa and the continent, with some temporary international art exhibits, as well. The impressive collection, one of the largest in Africa, features paintings, photography, textiles, sculptures, and more.
The modern, sophisticated space is worth a visit just to admire the award-winning architecture. And be sure to grab a coffee at the lively WAM Café, which is a popular meeting place for students of the nearby WITS University.
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