Johannesburg is South Africa's largest city and its economic centre. Founded when gold was found in 1886, it turned from a miners' camp into a metropolis within a generation, and its highveld setting at 1,750 metres keeps the nights cool even in summer. Its recent history is told at the Apartheid Museum and at Constitution Hill, which is both a former prison and today's Constitutional Court. The Cradle of Humankind northwest of the city belongs to an altogether different timescale: the hominin fossils found in the Sterkfontein caves reach back millions of years.
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See flights to Johannesburg →When to visit Johannesburg
Being in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. March to May and September to November are the most balanced, with days between 20C and 25C. December to February is summer, with afternoon thunderstorms. June to August is dry and sunny but nights approach freezing.
Things to do in Johannesburg
Apartheid Museum
Opened in 2001, the museum begins by admitting visitors through separate doors according to identity cards handed out at random. The exhibition documents the period from the founding of the segregation regime to the 1994 election.
Constitution Hill
The former Old Fort prison complex now houses the Constitutional Court. The courtroom was built with bricks from the demolished prison blocks and is open to visitors.
Vilakazi Street, Soweto
This street in Soweto is the only one to have housed two Nobel Peace laureates, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Mandela's house is a museum today.
Cradle of Humankind, Sterkfontein
The limestone cave system about 50 kilometres northwest of the city was inscribed by UNESCO in 1999. The hominin fossils found here make it one of the richest sites for human evolution.
Nelson Mandela Bridge
Opened in 2003, this cable stayed bridge links Braamfontein with Newtown across the railway yards. It is taken as the emblem of the reviving inner city and is lit at night.
Maboneng and Arts on Main
Former warehouses in the eastern inner city were converted into galleries, studios and market halls. The weekend market is the meeting point of the city's contemporary art and design scene.
Flights from Turkey to Johannesburg
The flight from Istanbul to Johannesburg is about 10 hours 5 minutes on the great circle route, operated by Turkish Airlines. O.R. Tambo is the busiest airport on the continent, and connections to Cape Town and Victoria Falls run from here.
Johannesburg FAQ
How many days do you need in Johannesburg?
Two days cover the museums, Constitution Hill and Soweto. Adding the Cradle of Humankind and Pretoria makes three or four days a suitable length.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
O.R. Tambo International Airport is about 25 kilometres from the centre. The Gautrain rapid rail links it to Sandton in around 15 minutes.
Do you need a visa for South Africa?
Holders of a Turkish passport may enter without a visa for tourism up to a set period. The limit and conditions can change, so the current rule should be checked before travel.
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