Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures

Trips Highlight

Tinkercast Yucatan Mexico family trip

Mexico • 7 days, 6 nights

Yucatan Family Adventure: Meteors, Pyramids & Maya Legends

from

Central Asia yurt night stars

Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights

Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars

from

Top Destinations

Latest Places

Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries

Download the App

Top Destinations

View All Destinations »

Countries

Australia
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan

Cities

Amsterdam
Barcelona
Beijing
Berlin
Boston
Budapest
Chicago
London
Los Angeles
Mexico City
Montreal
Moscow
New Orleans
New York City
Paris
Philadelphia
Rome
San Francisco
Seattle
Stockholm
Tokyo
Toronto
Vienna
Washington, D.C.

Latest Places

View All Places »

This intersection played a critical role in blues history. — Where the Southern Cross the Dog

The site today. — Site of the Namamugi Incident

Henry Turner Jr. rejects the notion that the blues should be frozen in time. — Henry Turner Jr’s Listening Room

Lee and Pup McCarty first set up shop in an old mule barn. — McCarty’s Pottery

Latest Places to Eat & Drink

View All Places to Eat »

The chilaquiles from Fonda Rosita are the stuff of legend. — Mercado de la Merced

Flores de calabaza and melty quesillo make for a divine quesadilla. — Tacos del Carmen

Amicar Hernandez and Paulina Rovilla wanted to properly celebrate these humble legumes. — La Frijolería

Rafael Villalobos relies on locally harvested grains for his superlative pastries. — Bodaega

Chef Jorge León changes the menu here constantly. — Alfonsina

Recent Stories

All Stories Puzzles Video Podcast

Most Recent Stories

View All Stories »

A raseteur makes an acrobatic leap to dodge a bull at the arena in Aigues-Vives. — A Friendlier Form of Bullfighting in the 'Wild West' of France

about 11 hours ago

The Los Angeles Breakfast Club celebrated its centennial this year. — Raise a Toast to L.A.'s Century-Old Breakfast Club

1 day ago

For the last 30 years, Ivan the Terra Bus has dutifully transported people between Antarctica’s airfields and research stations. The 2024–25 summer season marked Ivan’s final days on the ice. — One Last Ride for Antarctica’s 'Ivan the Terra Bus'

2 days ago

At Ulele, ask for an order of Florida Native Chili “loaded” and it will come topped with mild shredded cheese, red onions and diced jalapenos. — Gator, Boar, and Venison? Inside the Boldest Bowl of Chili in Florida.

4 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

Paris
London
New York
Berlin
Rome
Los Angeles

Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

All

South Africa

Johannesburg

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Johannesburg

8 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Johannesburg, South Africa

Updated June 15, 2022

Email

Unusual Attractions in Johannesburg

Collectors Treasury.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Collectors Treasury

Over a million items cram the shelves at Africa's largest shop of used and rare books.

Neighbourgoods Market, Braamfontein Precinct, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

Neighbourgoods Market

A growing popular hipster market with over 100 local specialties and live music.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Ponte Tower

The tallest residential building in Africa is an unsettling Brutalist monolith.

Mogale, South Africa

Cradle of Humankind

Home to some of the oldest hominid fossils ever found.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Museum of Man and Science

A supply store for traditional healers, this shop sells the hair of a dog--and its skin, skeleton, and reproductive organs, too.

Inside.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Satyagraha House

The home of Mahatma Gandhi during part of the 21 years he spent living in South Africa is now a guest house.

Johannesburg, South Africa

‘The Shadow Boxer’ at Chancellor House

A large-scale steel sculpture entitled 'The Shadow Boxer' pays tribute to Nelson Mandela.

The view from the Top of Africa.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Top of Africa

One of the tallest buildings in Africa provides a great view of Johannesburg's unique geography.

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Johannesburg

Neighbourgoods Market, Braamfontein Precinct, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

Neighbourgoods Market

A growing popular hipster market with over 100 local specialties and live music.

In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Wild South Africa

Marine wildlife and Kruger Safari

Book Now

Explore Johannesburg, South Africa

8

Museums 3

Johannesburg Leaderboard

Places Added

feelovestea

2
stanestane

1
brendonsalzer

1
micahspangler

1
Rachel Gould

1

Join the Ranks!

Add an unusual place to Johannesburg.

Places Edited

Collector of Experiences

4
gabri3l

2
Ursula

2
renakaba

1
Rachel

1

Join the Ranks!

Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

jamesonandy75

6
postpunkwaifu

5
Gribbly

5
peerie

5
Collector of Experiences

5

Join the Ranks!

Visit a place in Johannesburg.

Recent Johannesburg Activity

megatwater

wants to go to Ponte Tower

14 days ago
joannarbryant91

wants to go to Ponte Tower

8 days ago
jesicarennie

wants to go to Collectors Treasury

6 days ago
jesicarennie

wants to go to Neighbourgoods Market

6 days ago
dslevy

wants to go to Satyagraha House

1 day ago

Stories About Johannesburg

Sports presenter and musician Selema Masekela is obsessed with amapiano, a genre of South African genre of house music.

The Genre-Bending World of Amapiano, South Africa’s Township House Music

You can’t not dance when amapiano comes on.

by Selema Masekela

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads and no pop-ups.

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App

Places

All Places
Latest Places
Most Popular
Places to Eat
Random
Nearby
Add a Place

Editorial

Stories
Food & Drink
Itineraries
Lists
Puzzles
Video
Podcast
Newsletters

Trips

All Trips
Family Trip
Food & Drink
History & Culture
Wildlife & Nature
FAQ

Community

Membership
Feedback & Ideas
Community Guidelines
Product Blog
Unique Gifts
Work With Us

Company

About
FAQ
Advertise With Us
Advertising Guidelines
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Terms of Use

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.