Sophie Baker

South Africa’s economic hub was once little more than a stopover en-route to Cape Town or Kruger, but those who pass through without truly experiencing Johannesburg are missing out. Joburg is a city that refused to be boxed in. Modern glass towers rise above old-world suburbs, five-star hotels sit next to hidden speakeasies, and oak-lined streets with cafes and art galleries are just a stone’s throw from gritty urban centres, buzzing street markets and legendary shisanyama joints. The beauty of Joburg is that one minute, you could be sipping a cortado in a leafy suburb, the next, in the thick of a downtown art walk or at a rooftop bar watching the skyline glow. Somehow, the mixture of charm, grit, character, and history all collide in a way that just works. But where you stay makes a difference. Each neighbourhood has its own personality; some are all about the nightlife, others are made for lazy brunches and boutique shopping sprees. We’ve rounded up Joburg’s best neighbourhoods, each with its own distinct character, plus where to stay, eat, and explore in each one. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.