3 Days in Johannesburg, South Africa - Travel Itinerary for Johannesburg

Today I want to bring you my travel itinerary for 3 days in Johannesburg. The largest city in South Africa, Johannesburg is worth a visit for its vibrant cultural offerings, great food, fun shopping, and more.

3 Days in Johannesburg

Most people who fly into Johannesburg are either in transit or traveling to South Africa safari hot spots like Kruger National Park. The city itself isn’t often a final destination.

But after hearing a local friend’s accounts of the city’s revival in recent years, I wanted to visit. I booked a trip to spend 3 days in Johannesburg, and I couldn’t wait to discover what it had to offer.

My friend wasn’t the only one making a case for visiting Johannesburg, either. On my flight from London there was not one, but two articles about the city in the airline’s magazine.

Both covered Johannesburg’s recent renaissance and how it’s worth a visit in its own right, not just on a stopover en route to destinations like Cape Town.

Day 1 in Johannesburg

With so much encouragement, I arrived in South Africa excited for my 3 days in Johannesburg. I hopped on the Gautrain, an express train from the airport to the city center, and headed to my friend’s office in Melrose Arch.

He was in a meeting, so I had some time to explore the area. It was more of a shopping center than an office park, and its bright new buildings housed everything from high-end shops to restaurants with plenty of outdoor seating.

I met my friend at one such restaurant, Tashas, and we had lunch al fresco. I ordered a huge salad with butternut squash, goat cheese, and avocado. The ingredients were fresh and I was spoiled by how good everything was.

The produce wasn’t the only thing in season, either. The jacaranda trees lining the streets of Johannesburg were bursting with purple flowers.

They bathed the skyline in violet and brought the whole city alive with spring. They were gorgeous.

Speaking of which, that evening my 3 days in Johannesburg continued as my friend took me to a surprise birthday party. When we arrived, the house was full of beautiful decorations and festive food.

From plates of cantaloupe and strawberries to trays of delicate pastries, every inch of the counter was covered.

We spent the evening there with his friends, all of whom were incredibly welcoming.

They talked with me about Johannesburg, confirming what I’d already learned about the city being much safer than its reputation suggested and insisting people in Johannesburg were as friendly as I’d already experienced.

Day 2 in Johannesburg

The next morning we woke up late and my 3 days in Johannesburg continued as we drove into Parkhurst.

A few people I’d met the night before ran businesses on a stretch of several bustling blocks full of cafes, restaurants, and shops there.

Our first stop was at a busy bakery and cafe run by a couple I’d talked to at the party. Every table was packed with people enjoying breakfast and watching the world go by.

When we bought some cheese and olive sticks to take away, I realized why the place was so popular. The food was divine, so much so the cafe had recently received an award for being the best new restaurant in Johannesburg.

Munching our bread, we walked a few doors down to a boutique run by our hostess from the night before. She welcomed us and let us take a look around the shop.

It was brimming with beautiful dresses, colorful swimsuits, feminine flats, and delicate jewelry.

As we walked through the store, my friend pointed out a line of shoes that another friend of his in Cape Town designed. This was certainly a small world.

Leaving the boutique, we wandered a few blocks down to a restaurant in Johannesburg called Nice on 4th. There we had ourselves a feast for brunch.

Starting with homemade lemonade, we worked our way to egg baskets, which featured poached eggs, avocado, tomatoes, and bacon in toast cups.

We topped them off with a strawberry dessert. The decadent cream-filled pastry had hints of rose flavor, too. It was both unique and delicious.

After brunch my 3 days in Johannesburg continued as we did a bit more shopping. My friend needed some new speakers, and I needed some wine.

I was lucky, as my friend knows a lot about wine from South Africa and some knowledgeable reps from Klein Constantia winery were at Makro doing a tasting.

One of them took us under her wing and walked us up and down the aisles recommending some of the best South African wines.

In the end we bought a bottle of Klein Constantia’s famous Vin de Constance, a bottle of Warwick Estate ‘Three Cape Ladies’ 2009, a Saronsberg Full Circle 2008, a Mullineux Family Wines Kloof Street 2009, and several others.

Our wine shopping done, my 3 days in Johannesburg continued as we headed back to my friend’s place to get ready for an engagement party at the home of a friend of his.

The elegant evening took place under a huge marquee in the back garden, and we celebrated late into the night.

Day 3 in Johannesburg

The next morning we went into the Central Business District (CBD), an area that’s undergone a revival. We were about to see several facets of it.

The first place we went to was called Arts on Main. Part market, part art gallery, and part restaurant complex, it was the perfect spot to start the last of my 3 days in Johannesburg.

We feasted on great Ethiopian food in the shade of some olive trees, then took a walk through the other areas.

The market showcased everything from chocolate brownies to woodcarvings. Of particular interest to my taste buds were several giant fluffy marshmallows with colorful candies on top.

The galleries featured the work of local artists, one of whom we talked with briefly about his work.

As it turned out, he was doing a joint show with one of my friend’s good friends in several weeks. Once again I got the feeling Johannesburg was a small world.

After Arts on Main my 3 days in Johannesburg continued as we walked over to the Main Street Life building, which was home to the 12 Decades Art Hotel.

The funky, artistic accommodation had a rooftop bar with great views over the CBD. We passed an hour there enjoying cocktails, music, and creative decor before heading back to my friend’s place.

We spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening at the home where the party had been the night before. The weather was so nice we sat outside under the marquee as friends came in and out.

It was so relaxing and enjoyable I almost convinced myself to skip my flight from Johannesburg to London and stay in South Africa forever.