Best known as South Africa's financial capital and a layover for safari-goers, Johannesburg (nicknamed Joburg or Jozi) has — historically speaking — not landed on many top or "must-see" destination lists. Now, that's all changing as a flourishing community of dynamic creatives and entrepreneurs transform the country's most populated urban center and one of the youngest major cities in the world into South Africa's artistic heartland.

"It's the New York of Africa," says James Delaney, a contemporary painter and printmaker who lives and works in Joburg. "People are drawn to Johannesburg from all over the continent. It's been a gradual evolution since the advent of democracy 30 years ago. [Apartheid officially ended in 1994]. In recent years, the success of art fairs has also brought collectors and gallerists here."

Design Week South Africa held its inaugural events in Johannesburg and Cape Town in 2024, while RMB Latitudes Art Fair launched in 2023. Organized to appeal to a diverse audience and to make art less intimidating, the inclusive program offers a full schedule of talks and exhibits.

A robust infrastructure of galleries and museums, as well as an explosion of studio spaces, has also deepened the city's artistic roots and broadened opportunities to become immersed in the creative community. Visit Victoria Yards, a repurposed brutalist steam laundry dating back to 1913 that now houses a slew of made-in-South Africa artisans including bookbinders and fashion designers. Stroll through the grounds of NIROX Sculpture Park, which hosts a range of concerts, workshops, and other events throughout the year.

"New initiatives and spaces are popping up all the time — by and for emerging artists," says Masood Sadulla, Guest Experience Manager & Chef Concierge at the Saxon Hotel. "The world of art is expanding to reach not just seasoned buyers, but people who want real, first-hand engagement with the city and its artists."

Joburg boasts an unusual number of independent artist studio buildings and hubs, many of which, including August House and Bag Factory, open their doors to the public for regular open studio events. Contra.Joburg, South Africa's largest open studios event, included more than 200 artists in 2024.

"Joburg is a city that is constantly in flux," says Roberta Coci, co-founder and director of Latitudes Online, a global platform for art from Africa. "It has an incredibly diverse population and an almost palpable electric energy to it, making it a catalyst for creativity. For me, it's one of the most dynamic places to experience contemporary African art and culture."

What to Do

On the first Thursday of each month, Joburg comes alive with First Thursdays, when its art galleries stay open late, often launching new shows and drawing people in with live music, performance art, book launches, and more. "It's the perfect time to go gallery hopping," says Coci. "I'd recommend starting in Rosebank and Parkwood, where many of Joburg's galleries are located."

Choose between a mix of established enterprises, like Goodman Gallery, and newcomers, such as Origin Art at Keyes Art Mile, which houses a slew of exhibition spaces. Don't miss Everard Read, Africa's oldest commercial gallery, or Kim Sacks Gallery where you'll find museum-quality ceramics. Remember that purchasing art in South Africa can be an incredible investment opportunity. "There's still the feeling that you could discover the next big thing, while also feeling that your purchase and feedback could make a real difference to a young artist's career," says Delaney. "And with some savvy shopping, you can get a lot for your dollar or euro; prices here are a fraction of what one sees in galleries in the northern hemisphere."

Many visitors don't venture beyond Sandton, Joburg's corporate and financial hub. "While it can seem inaccessible and unwalkable, Johannesburg isn't a city you just drive through — it's a place you need to experience up close," says Coci. Get a better sense of the real Jozi's heritage architecture, public art, and other off-the-grid sites during a walking tour with JoburgPlaces.

Boasting over 10 million trees and 600 parks, Joburg is often called the biggest man-made forest in the world. "Johannesburg has some of the greatest green spaces I know," says Coci. "The best time to experience them is in October, when the jacarandas are in full purple bloom." Grab a coffee and walk through Emmarentia, Delta, or James and Ethel Gray parks.

Some of the city's most stunning outdoor areas even weave art and nature together. After visiting the Wits Art Museum of historical and contemporary African art, head across the street to The Wilds. Delaney and a group of volunteers recently restored the 40-acre park and installed the artist's cheerful sculptures of animals, including pangolins and elephants.

No visit to Johannesburg is complete without taking the time to learn about Apartheid and how this cruel era of institutionalized racial segregation touched everything in the nation. To better understand the struggle for freedom in South Africa, explore Soweto (a township that was a center of anti-apartheid activism) and the Apartheid Museum.

What to Eat

In addition to its concentration of galleries and art spaces, Rosebank is full of trendy restaurants and bars, "from the swanky Marble at Keyes Art Mile (super for sundowners) to Proud Mary at Hyde Hotel for some of the best small plates and Soul Souvlaki for delicious Greek fare in a relaxed setting," says Sadulla.

Parkwood also has its share of hotspots including Che Argentine, which serves traditional fire-grilled steaks, and Sin + Tax, a speakeasy hidden behind a pizza parlor. For dinner and a show, Coci recommends Marabi Club, a dining and live jazz experience that you'll find in the basement of Ghanaian-British architect Sir David Frank Adjaye's first residential building in Africa, Hallmark House.

Where to Shop

Skip Joburg's big shopping malls in favor of its charming local fashion and design boutiques; you'll discover many of South Africa's most iconic brands. Browse Tshepo for bespoke denim and Maxhosa for premium heritage-inspired dresses. Mash T. Design Studio offers hand-crafted lighting, furniture, and other unique objets d'art from around the continent while Pulp Paperworks turns bookbinding into an art. For a one-stop shop, try EGG, a curated concept store that stocks more than 180 local and international designers. 

Where to Stay 

Johannsburg's grande dame, the historical Saxon Hotel features a renowned South African art collection and 10 acres of lush indigenous gardens. Splurge on the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite, where Nelson Mandela lived for six months after his release from prison and edited his autobiography "Long Walk to Freedom."

Design aficionados swoon over The Peech, a stylish boutique hotel in a 1950s heritage building that's won awards for its modernist architecture. Recently, The Pot Luck Club, a popular tapas-style restaurant, relocated to the property. Prestigious luxury brands are becoming more common in Joburg, with a new Park Hyatt opening in June 2025. Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg offers one of the best views of the city's verdant hills and a world-class spa.

When to Go 

Expect steeper prices and bigger crowds during the high season (November to March) when travelers migrate to the Southern Hemisphere to escape winter. Visit during the shoulder seasons of autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) for the best of all worlds.

Know Before You Go

Make the most of your trip by timing it with one of the city's top cultural events. FNB Art Joburg, Africa's longest-running contemporary art fair, takes place every September. RMB Latitudes, which bridges the gap between a traditional art fair and a digital marketplace, will be held in May. Design Week South Africa: Johannesburg will run in October.

While Johannesburg doesn't deserve its dangerous reputation, it can be difficult to navigate, and, like all cities, it has some neighborhoods that are best avoided. For a memorable experience, hire a private driver-guide to show you around. Jarat Tours can match you with expert step-on guides, known as the Joburg Gurus, who can speak to a specific topic of interest (including Delaney) from the worlds of politics, food, and art.