Choose your country and language:

Africa

  • Global
  • Angola
  • Botswana
  • DRC
  • Ethiopia
  • Ghana
  • Kenya
  • Malawi
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nigeria
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
  • Sho't Left

Americas

  • USA
  • Brazil

Asia Pacific

  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia

Europe

  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • United Kingdom
Back
Gauteng
Attractions
Museums
Culture
History
Shopping
Johannesburg
Day Trips

PPerhaps you are already familiar with the cheerful City Sightseeing open-top red buses that take visitors around nearly 100 cities on six continents? Johannesburg is a city that comes to life when viewed from this vantage point, so why not hop on and hop off in the City of Gold.

Your ticket includes both routes in Johannesburg, so make sure you have plenty of time:

City Sightseeing open-top bus tours in Johannesburg let you experience this vibrant city and what it has to offer. You can hop on and hop off at any one of 12 interesting stops, and then continue your tour at your own pace. You can linger longer if you have time, or see the city in just a few hours.

Did You Know?
CChildren get their own special commentary plus a complimentary activity pack.

CCity Sightseeing open-top bus tours in Johannesburg let you experience this vibrant city and what it has to offer. You can hop on and hop off at any one of 12 interesting stops, and then continue your tour at your own pace. You can linger longer if you have time, or see the city in just a few hours.

TThe open-top bus tours run all day, every day, with on-board commentary, 12 fascinating stops and easy access to all the attractions. If you don’t have the luxury of time to get through the 12 main stops we’ve identified a shortlist that are absolute musts for visitors. We think the following should not be missed…

The Carlton Centre where you’ll get to experience stunning panoramic views of Johannesburg and beyond. The spacious wraparound viewing deck is on the top floor of the 50-storey, 223m-high Carlton Centre, Africa's highest building.

If vintage cars and vehicles of all types are your thing, then you’ll be fascinated by the James Hall Museum of Transport, showcasing historic vehicles from ox-wagons, horse-drawn carriages, trams, trolleys and steam trains to Johannesburg’s very first car – a green 1900 Clement-Panhard.

You’ll be poignantly reminded of South Africa's turbulent past at the Apartheid Museum, where you’ll be taken through South Africa’s history of an oppressive state-sanctioned system, and the brave struggle to overthrow it.

If you want to delve into the beginnings of the human race, then the Origins Centre, at the University of the Witwatersrand, is the place to spend time. It’s child-friendly and explains our origins in an interesting and comprehensive way. Check out the bookshop and have a bite to eat at the great little cafe.

And, if that’s not exciting enough, there are still eight more stops to explore in bustling Johannesburg!

Want to explore some more? The open-top bus company also takes guided tours into Soweto, Johannesburg's largest and most vibrant neighbourhood.

Open-bus tours in Johannesburg

Food
When to visit
How to get here
Who to contact
How to get there
Tours to do
What will it cost
Length of visit
What to pack and wear

Related articles

  • Bustling city life

    Marina Appelbaum: Nikos and Old Ducky French Cafe

    Bustling city life
    Marina Appelbaum: Nikos and Old Ducky French Cafe
    South Africa is a marvel. Not only does the country boast warm and welcoming people, but it has also an array of culinary offerings enough to cater to any palate and feast. We continue with our celebration of South Africa’s women in the tourism and hospitality sector and this time we catch up with foodie, Marina Appelbaum Marina Appelbaum grew up in the kitchen of the iconic Three Sisters Cafe in Hillbrow which her mother ran for 28 years, with a family legacy like hers it is unsurprising that she is the owner of two thriving eateries - Nikos and The Old Ducky French Café in Pineslopes in Fourways, Johannesburg.
  • Bustling city life

    South African architectural tours: explore the urban design that built a nation

    Bustling city life
    South African architectural tours: explore the urban design that built a nation
    South African urban architectural design tours introduce visitors to the eclectic array of styles and influences behind the country’s most iconic buildings.
  • Bustling city life

    SAB World of Beer, Johannesburg – celebrating the history of the amber elixir in Gauteng.

    Bustling city life
    SAB World of Beer, Johannesburg – celebrating the history of the amber elixir in Gauteng.
    South African Breweries’ World of Beer in Newtown Cultural Precinct, Johannesburg, presents a fascinating history of beer globally, and brewing in South Africa – with some welcome samples thrown in.
  • Bustling city life

    Greenside, Johannesburg: leafy, outdoorsy suburbia and great restaurants in Gauteng

    Bustling city life
    Greenside, Johannesburg: leafy, outdoorsy suburbia and great restaurants in Gauteng
    Leafy Greenside in Johannesburg looks spectacular in spring and offers excellent restaurants and bars, great shopping and nearby outdoor attractions like golf, water sports and botanical gardens.
  • Vibrant culture

    A showcase of African art – Wits Art Museum, Johannesburg

    Vibrant culture
    A showcase of African art – Wits Art Museum, Johannesburg
    Wits Art Museum – part of the University of the Witwatersrand – houses an African art collection that was started in the 1920s and includes masks, photographs, paintings and more.
  • Breathtaking scenery

    The best views of Johannesburg – Top of Africa, Carlton Centre

    Breathtaking scenery
    The best views of Johannesburg – Top of Africa, Carlton Centre
    The Top of Africa is a wrap-around viewing deck at the top of the 50-storey, 223m-high Carlton Centre in Johannesburg.
  • Bustling city life

    Sandton – Joburg’s financial capital

    Bustling city life
    Sandton – Joburg’s financial capital
    Sandton is Johannesburg’s financial capital, as well as boasting 5-star luxury hotels, world-class conference venues and premier shopping destinations, including Sandton City, Nelson Mandela Square and the Marc.
  • Bustling city life

    Green Johannesburg

    Bustling city life
    Green Johannesburg
    Johannesburg might be something of an urban jungle, but it also has some wonderful natural attractions. The land on which Johannesburg is built was once grassland, but is now the biggest urban forest in the world, with over 10 million trees in its city, gardens, 600 parks, open spaces and suburbs.

South Africa on social media

Copyright © 2024 South African Tourism
|Terms and conditions|Disclaimer|Privacy policy