Johannesburg Neighborhoods

You’ll discover the true soul of South Africa in the township of Soweto (South Western Township), the largest and most famous black township (where blacks were forcibly moved during the apartheid era) in South Africa and the former home of two Nobel Peace Prize laureates: Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.

Newtown is at the heart of the rejuvenation of Joburg’s inner city. Based around Mary Fitzgerald Square, the area includes the Market Theatre, numerous cafés, nightspots and jazz bars, and MuseuMAfrica, which houses the Bensusan Museum of Photography.

Over the years, the Sandton central business district, in the northern suburbs, has become a major business and entertainment hub. It’s home to a number of international hotels, the International Convention Centre (ICC), three world-class shopping malls, and a number of upscale eateries.

Like Sandton, the northern suburbs area of Rosebank attracts international globetrotters. Situated around the Rosebank Mall and the Zone shopping centers, you’ll find great family-entertainment options (movie houses, arcades, restaurants, bookshops, etc.) and a number of top-notch hotels.

This popular “village” has become known as the Soho or Greenwich Village of Johannesburg. Restaurants and décor shops line 4th Avenue. The suburb forms part of The Parks region, which includes similar villages of Parkview, Parkwood, and Parktown North.

This pedestrian-friendly neighborhood is situated on a rocky hilltop just a suburb or two from the city center, with streets lined with trees, bars, body piercing salons, and restaurants.

Close to Sandton, this township offers numerous tours, including the popular Urban Rhythms Tour, which visits numerous Apartheid-era historic sites as well as a local shebeen (tavern).

On the outer edges of the Johannesburg city center, this university town is home to cultural attractions like Constitution Hill and the Nelson Mandela Civic Theatre.

This leafy northern suburb is home to a number of shopping malls, home décor centers, and the popular Montecasino entertainment complex.