Discover Johannesburg

Johannesburg can be explored through its history and culture on several levels: Constitution Hill combines guided tours with the history of the Old Fort, while theatres and museums offer further perspectives on Johannesburg and South Africa. When choosing a holiday rental for your trip, it can help to first consider which of these experiences you want to shape your days.

History at Constitution Hill

The Old Fort was built in 1893 as Johannesburg’s first prison and briefly served as a military fort after the Jameson Raid. Among those imprisoned in Constitution Hill’s Old Fort Prison Complex were Winnie Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Albertina Sisulu, Fatima Meer and Nelson Mandela. Their names connect the site’s history with different lives and eras of South African resistance.

Constitution Hill offers a one-hour Highlights Tour and a two-hour Full Tour. The difference in duration between the two options is useful when planning your day: you can fit the shorter or longer tour into your available time. Check the current tour schedule before your visit. Constitution Hill has secure underground parking on levels C and D of the car park on Joubert Street; check the parking options before you travel.

Theatre and museum perspectives

The Market Theatre was known as the first integrated theatre. By encouraging debate and challenging ideas, it played an important role in the struggle against apartheid. This cultural perspective complements Constitution Hill’s history as a prison: here, the focus is on the importance of a theatre as a space for public exchange and social debate.

The permanent exhibitions at MuseuMAfricA explore Johannesburg’s history and changes during the 20th century. These include the effects of gold on workers and their path to political freedom. For those looking to connect different themes, the museum offers a perspective on work and social change alongside the history of political imprisonment.

More experiences in the wider destination of City Of Johannesburg

The Apartheid Museum, also in the wider destination of City Of Johannesburg, illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid. Its permanent exhibition traces South Africa’s history from the dark days of oppression to a place of healing shaped by democratic principles. At the Origins Centre, interactive exhibitions explore the origins of humanity in Africa and the development of technology, art, culture and symbolism; the diverse rock art traditions of South Africa are also among the topics.

The Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, also in the wider destination of City Of Johannesburg, offer a different kind of visit: Johannesburg Botanical Garden is an 81-hectare green space used by runners, picnickers and dog owners. The dam at Johannesburg Botanical Gardens offers opportunities for canoeing and sailing; a diving club also has facilities on the eastern shore. The gardens are open from sunrise to sunset and have parking at several entrances.

Plan your trip around your interests

Your plans can bring together a range of themes: tours and historic sites, theatre and museum exhibitions, as well as green spaces and activities on the dam in the wider destination of City Of Johannesburg. In the wider destination of City Of Johannesburg, Rea Vaya connects central Johannesburg and Braamfontein with Soweto; routes and services may change, so it is worth checking the latest information. These themes can help you prioritise your visits and choose a holiday rental that suits your planned daily routine, without limiting your trip to a single experience.

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View the wider travel guide: City Of Johannesburg.