Second this. For other parts of the CBD JoburgPlaces also does walking tours throughout the area. Last I talked to them they have never had an issue with security.
I know things are a bit different now but when I lived in Joburg in 2019 I went to the CBD fairly often - as an urban enthusiast it’s a fascinating place. But doing it through a tour is the best option.
A walking tour is totally awesome, you’ll love it. The JoburgPlaces ones are great. So many interesting stores and cool history. (I live 10 min away and still go on these tours)
Look, I would never recommend taking a walk through Joburg CBD, just for the sake of taking a walk. You need to know how to nagivate those streets and not look like a target. Even then you are still a target.
If you want to see the CBD there are some tours through the CBD that you could consider
Bud. Don't do it. I work in the cbd. I drive straight to the parking and when the day's over i gtfo.
I even arrive early so I can leave without being stuck in traffic.
You'll stick out like a sore thumb.
People are hungry and destitute and will look at you like a gift from God for the taking.
Please reconsider.
You need to start talking to people and not being afraid of actually meeting a working class or unemployed person. These are just people. Some are criminals, that's how it rolls.
I wouldn't. I worked at one of the banks there and only felt safe cos there was security all the way to and from the parking. It's not the safest plan, but I also agree with the other comment, there's bugger all to see. It's also mostly dirty and smells of pee.
But why? There isn't anything to see in the CBD, there are far more safe places to go and experience Joburg at its best.
My gf works at a backpackers and they are constantly telling international guests to stay out of the CBD, and when they don't listen, they always get mugged.
You will stick out like a sore thumb. And you being potentially mugged is honestly the least of your worries.
Watch [this dude's YouTube channel](https://youtu.be/8ZTYO0c89mY?si=3KPLiUcKKiEqtUMs)
Here's an African fellow who's streetwise getting the heeby jeebys in certain parts of town.
I've done a couple of tours with [TimeTraveller Adventures](https://www.timetravellerjozi.co.za/?fbclid=IwAR0r2LAMFnBIHaMGhaX_VHG7JXiXQGL9o7SiFOR_yLNCdYUFjOtYPrVpxns), including a Joburg Hidden History tour, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I remember a video of two German tourists who got outright mugged in broad daylight the same could happen in France Paris of course but here they’re more upfront about it
Why? There’s absolutely nothing there to see for a local never mind a tourist. There’s some banks, run down buildings and a myriad of state owned businesses head offices that’s been there forever. It’s boring.
Reminds me of when my aunt & uncle came back for a visit from Canada with their family. They used to stay in Hillbrow in the 80's and insisted I take them there so that they could show their kids where they grew up. I told them straight rather save your memories, that area is not what it used to be. But they kept insisting and nagging, got to the point where I said ok whatever happens happens. They said that fine. We get to Hillbrow, and they see the state its in, then they say lets rather go. That drive home was super quiet!
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Common misconception for tourists is that CBDs are ‘the high point’ of town. This is 100% NOT the case in SA @OP. You’d be better going to Sandton or Midrand - much more to see there, and somewhat safer.
Most businesses have moved out of the CBD and into places like Sandton. You could visit Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, if you want.
What I would recommend is the Apartheid Museum. Next to that is Gold Reef City, which also includes a trip into a good mine. There's also Constitution Hill, which is a prison that was turned into a museum. I've heard of guided tours into Soweto as well.
Outside of the city, the Lesedi Cultural Village is worth a trip. There's an elephant sanctuary nearby and a place to feed giraffes, although some may debate the ethics of that.
If you do decide to go into the CBD, don't act like a tourist and don't take your phone out to take pictures or to look at a map. Probably don't speak either, or people will realise that you're a tourist.
There are some nice parts of JHB Central, just look up walking tours of JHB, you'll get a list.
Don't worry about naysayers, most don't even drive in the city and can't conduct themselves for the area correctly. If you work in the city you'll know where the good parts are but it seems most are scared to ask.
Why do you want to walk around the CBD? I don't think anyone would recommend it, even if it was safe... It will be a waste of your 2 days. What are you interested in? Stores? Offices? Day to day life?
There is no safe way to visit the jhb CBD as a tourist that is obviously an easy target.
Consider a tour guide agency of some kind but even then iv seen an American with 2 bodyguards have an attempted mugging by a guy with a fricking butter knife. And they were in a tinted vehicle.
Why would you want to walk around the Joburg CBD? there's not much to do, its sad and depressing actually and seeing all the destitute people isnt enjoyable. There are some fun tours you can do to go to the more interesting areas, but yeah, tons of better places to go around the area that are safer and interesting. Our CBD is not like other countries CBD's. Most business actually happens in other safer areas like sandton.
I get you, but yeah not too much to look at in Joburg CBD. I would recommend cape town. All the old buildings and atmosphere there is amazing. You would have a much better time there. Bot too many old buildings standing in Joburg, mostly stuff built 1970s onwards. Cape town has preserved many original buildings from the founders
I wish I could agree with what you are saying! I am a black male and I can assure you, I don't blend in when in the CBD.
I was there in December 2023 after a few year absence, walked through the pee-soaked streets, used-clothes stalls, chicken-dust-grilling tables, sheep-head stalls, etc... And the whole time I had my eyes front and back. I was so glad to leave.
Nothing seems safe there. And believe you me, I used to walk that place regularly between 2005 and 2010. It has deteriorated badly.
I worked as a paramedic in the CBD. Those people who have never been to the CBD who think it's extremely unsafe, are 100% spot on. Black, white, pink, orange, magenta.... Makes zero difference
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Some adventures aren't worth it. Being white doesn't make it any better or worse for your safety. It's unpleasant for anyone who isn't part of that unholy mess of foreign gangs, criminal networks, and petty crimes. Even locals avoid it when possible.
Dladla Nje tour https://www.dlalanje.org/tours/walking-tour/4
100% this. Plus get to see Ponte’s core. And the money goes to a good cause.
Second this. For other parts of the CBD JoburgPlaces also does walking tours throughout the area. Last I talked to them they have never had an issue with security. I know things are a bit different now but when I lived in Joburg in 2019 I went to the CBD fairly often - as an urban enthusiast it’s a fascinating place. But doing it through a tour is the best option.
Yeah I’m gonna roll with this when I get there, seems like the best option, appreciate it boss 👍
A walking tour is totally awesome, you’ll love it. The JoburgPlaces ones are great. So many interesting stores and cool history. (I live 10 min away and still go on these tours)
Awesome tour. Highly recommend.
Thank you
Look, I would never recommend taking a walk through Joburg CBD, just for the sake of taking a walk. You need to know how to nagivate those streets and not look like a target. Even then you are still a target. If you want to see the CBD there are some tours through the CBD that you could consider
Look up Johannesburg heritage foundation in case they have a walking tour that coincides
Bud. Don't do it. I work in the cbd. I drive straight to the parking and when the day's over i gtfo. I even arrive early so I can leave without being stuck in traffic. You'll stick out like a sore thumb. People are hungry and destitute and will look at you like a gift from God for the taking. Please reconsider.
You need to start talking to people and not being afraid of actually meeting a working class or unemployed person. These are just people. Some are criminals, that's how it rolls.
I wouldn't. I worked at one of the banks there and only felt safe cos there was security all the way to and from the parking. It's not the safest plan, but I also agree with the other comment, there's bugger all to see. It's also mostly dirty and smells of pee.
Ye deep proper cbd smells horrible
Jhb cbd is fine compared to the wretched hive of Pta and Durban CBD.
How does it compare to Durban cbd , yeah Pretoria cbd is terrible too can’t lie
Durban CBD is truly the only cbd where I thought to myself "abandon all hope ye who enter"
But why? There isn't anything to see in the CBD, there are far more safe places to go and experience Joburg at its best. My gf works at a backpackers and they are constantly telling international guests to stay out of the CBD, and when they don't listen, they always get mugged. You will stick out like a sore thumb. And you being potentially mugged is honestly the least of your worries.
In a German Tanker
Use Google street view, it’s the safest way
Watch [this dude's YouTube channel](https://youtu.be/8ZTYO0c89mY?si=3KPLiUcKKiEqtUMs) Here's an African fellow who's streetwise getting the heeby jeebys in certain parts of town.
I've done a couple of tours with [TimeTraveller Adventures](https://www.timetravellerjozi.co.za/?fbclid=IwAR0r2LAMFnBIHaMGhaX_VHG7JXiXQGL9o7SiFOR_yLNCdYUFjOtYPrVpxns), including a Joburg Hidden History tour, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Rather do the City sightseeing hop-on-hop-off busses, they do drive through certain parts of the CBD and also stop at constitution Hill etc.
I remember a video of two German tourists who got outright mugged in broad daylight the same could happen in France Paris of course but here they’re more upfront about it
Why? There’s absolutely nothing there to see for a local never mind a tourist. There’s some banks, run down buildings and a myriad of state owned businesses head offices that’s been there forever. It’s boring.
Lol, if you're into history, there are a lot of historically significant buildings in and around the CBD.
I think that type of stuff is pretty cool
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No discrimination, no personal attacks, and be respectful of others
Reminds me of when my aunt & uncle came back for a visit from Canada with their family. They used to stay in Hillbrow in the 80's and insisted I take them there so that they could show their kids where they grew up. I told them straight rather save your memories, that area is not what it used to be. But they kept insisting and nagging, got to the point where I said ok whatever happens happens. They said that fine. We get to Hillbrow, and they see the state its in, then they say lets rather go. That drive home was super quiet!
But why? It's a shit hole. The safest way to go is to not go.
There is no safe way to..: read all the comments and reconsider this terrible plan - it’s a crap hole so avoid for your own safety
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Go with a person you know well that knows the place well that u trust
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I used to walk through hillbrow as a white oke and high five everyone.
Common misconception for tourists is that CBDs are ‘the high point’ of town. This is 100% NOT the case in SA @OP. You’d be better going to Sandton or Midrand - much more to see there, and somewhat safer.
I have a VR headset with a tour of JHB CBD
Most businesses have moved out of the CBD and into places like Sandton. You could visit Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, if you want. What I would recommend is the Apartheid Museum. Next to that is Gold Reef City, which also includes a trip into a good mine. There's also Constitution Hill, which is a prison that was turned into a museum. I've heard of guided tours into Soweto as well. Outside of the city, the Lesedi Cultural Village is worth a trip. There's an elephant sanctuary nearby and a place to feed giraffes, although some may debate the ethics of that. If you do decide to go into the CBD, don't act like a tourist and don't take your phone out to take pictures or to look at a map. Probably don't speak either, or people will realise that you're a tourist.
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Prob the busses
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The get off get on ones that ppl mentioned in this thread
Go in convoy. Armed.
There are some nice parts of JHB Central, just look up walking tours of JHB, you'll get a list. Don't worry about naysayers, most don't even drive in the city and can't conduct themselves for the area correctly. If you work in the city you'll know where the good parts are but it seems most are scared to ask.
Why do you want to walk around the CBD? I don't think anyone would recommend it, even if it was safe... It will be a waste of your 2 days. What are you interested in? Stores? Offices? Day to day life?
Easiest way to die...
There is no safe way to visit the jhb CBD as a tourist that is obviously an easy target. Consider a tour guide agency of some kind but even then iv seen an American with 2 bodyguards have an attempted mugging by a guy with a fricking butter knife. And they were in a tinted vehicle.
Why would you want to walk around the Joburg CBD? there's not much to do, its sad and depressing actually and seeing all the destitute people isnt enjoyable. There are some fun tours you can do to go to the more interesting areas, but yeah, tons of better places to go around the area that are safer and interesting. Our CBD is not like other countries CBD's. Most business actually happens in other safer areas like sandton.
Walk around and look at the old buildings up close
I get you, but yeah not too much to look at in Joburg CBD. I would recommend cape town. All the old buildings and atmosphere there is amazing. You would have a much better time there. Bot too many old buildings standing in Joburg, mostly stuff built 1970s onwards. Cape town has preserved many original buildings from the founders
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I wish I could agree with what you are saying! I am a black male and I can assure you, I don't blend in when in the CBD. I was there in December 2023 after a few year absence, walked through the pee-soaked streets, used-clothes stalls, chicken-dust-grilling tables, sheep-head stalls, etc... And the whole time I had my eyes front and back. I was so glad to leave. Nothing seems safe there. And believe you me, I used to walk that place regularly between 2005 and 2010. It has deteriorated badly.
I worked as a paramedic in the CBD. Those people who have never been to the CBD who think it's extremely unsafe, are 100% spot on. Black, white, pink, orange, magenta.... Makes zero difference
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Some adventures aren't worth it. Being white doesn't make it any better or worse for your safety. It's unpleasant for anyone who isn't part of that unholy mess of foreign gangs, criminal networks, and petty crimes. Even locals avoid it when possible.
Do the red bus tour
There is the hop on hop off bus that you can catch from places like Rosebank that will take you to key sights in JHB......safely.
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No discrimination, no personal attacks, and be respectful of others
Just visit the burbs.
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No discrimination, no personal attacks, and be respectful of others
Crazy!
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My fault I’m not tryna give off white savior vibes or some weird shit I’m jus genuinely interested in the area
No, actually I apologize. I was projecting just then my bad. All the best on your trip. Be safe.
No discrimination, no personal attacks, and be respectful of others
DON'T. shit gets real fast.