Gauteng Attractions Guide 2026

Top attractions

The most popular and significant attractions in Gauteng.

1. 1

   Apartheid Museum

   museumAdult R170 (~$10) (South African-rate tickets need SA ID, sold on site) · Child Discounted; check apartheidmuseum.org3-4 hours

   South Africa's definitive museum of apartheid, with 22 exhibition spaces tracing segregation, resistance and the 1994 transition. Entrance tickets randomly assign 'white' or 'non-white' gates.

   Tip: Allow at least three to four hours; there is a lot of reading and film · Arrive at opening on a weekday to avoid school groups · Confirm opening days on apartheidmuseum.org because hours have changed · Some footage is graphic, so consider this before bringing young children · Uber or Bolt from Park Station is the simplest way to reach the museum

2. 2

   Constitution Hill

   heritageAdult From R50 (~$3); guided tours from ~R120 (~$7)2-3 hours

   Former Old Fort prison complex where Gandhi and Mandela were held, now home to the Constitutional Court and its art collection.

   Tip: Join a guided tour to understand the prison history in context · Allow two to three hours; add time for the court building · Arrive in the morning for smaller school-group crowds · Combine with the nearby Origins Centre and Wits campus on foot during the day · Use Uber or Bolt in the evening rather than walking around Braamfontein

3. 3

   Vilakazi Street and Mandela House Museum

   heritageAdult R100-R150 (~$6-$9)1-2 hours

   The only street in the world that housed two Nobel Peace laureates (Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu). Mandela's small house is now a museum.

   Tip: Visit as part of a guided Soweto tour for context and convenience · Allow one to two hours including lunch on the street · Combine with the Hector Pieterson Museum, a ten-minute walk away · Carry small cash for craft stalls and museum entry · Keep valuables discreet and stay on the busy tourist stretch

4. 4

   Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum

   museumAdult R50-R100 (~$3-$6)1 hour

   Museum and memorial to the 1976 Soweto Uprising, named for the 13-year-old shot on 16 June 1976.

   Tip: Allow about one hour for the museum and memorial · Visit in the morning before tour groups arrive · Pair with Vilakazi Street and the Mandela House on a Soweto tour · Expect crowds and commemorations around 16 June, Youth Day · Consider content sensitivity when visiting with young children

5. 5

   Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves (Cradle of Humankind)

   heritageAdult Maropeng from R125 (~$8); combo with Sterkfontein about R250-R400 (~$15-$25)Half to full day

   UNESCO-listed fossil sites where 'Mrs Ples' and Homo naledi were found. Maropeng has a boat ride and evolution exhibit; Sterkfontein offers underground cave tours.

   Tip: Buy the combined Maropeng and Sterkfontein ticket for better value · Visit Maropeng first for context, then go into the caves · Book cave tour slots ahead, particularly on weekends · Wear closed, non-slip shoes and bring a light jacket for the caves · Allow a half to a full day and consider a rental car or day tour

6. 6

   Union Buildings

   landmarkAdult Free (grounds)1-2 hours

   Sandstone seat of government designed by Herbert Baker with terraced gardens and a 9 m bronze Mandela statue.

   Tip: Entry to the grounds is free, but expect a security check at the gate · Visit in the morning for cooler weather and softer light · Come in October to see the jacaranda trees in bloom across the city · Check for closures during state events or demonstrations · Combine with Freedom Park and the Voortrekker Monument in one day

7. 7

   Voortrekker Monument and Nature Reserve

   heritageAdult R110-R180 (~$7-$11)2 hours

   Granite monument (1949) to the Voortrekkers with a Cenotaph lit by a sunbeam at noon on 16 December. Panoramic roof terrace over Pretoria.

   Tip: Time the visit for noon to see the sunbeam on the Cenotaph · Take the lift to the roof terrace for views · Allow extra time if walking or cycling in the nature reserve · Expect large crowds on 16 December · Read the museum interpretation for the historical context of the site

8. 8

   Freedom Park

   heritageAdult R60-R120 (~$4-$7)2-3 hours

   Memorial and heritage precinct on Salvokop hill honouring those who died in South Africa's conflicts, with the 'Isivivane' spiritual resting place.

   Tip: Take a guided tour to understand the symbolism of each feature · Allow two to three hours including the museum · Visit in the morning to avoid the midday heat and school groups · Wear sun protection because much of the site is outdoors · Use Uber or Bolt to reach the hilltop entrance

9. 9

   Gold Reef City Theme Park

   familyAdult R250-R400 (~$15-$25)Full day

   Theme park built around an 1887 gold mine, with rides plus the Gold Mine Tour (underground descent) and a casino.

   Tip: Check goldreefcity.co.za for opening days before travelling · Visit on a weekday in school term to avoid long ride queues · Wear closed shoes for the mine tour · Plan a full day to justify the entry price · Combine with the Apartheid Museum next door on a separate day if possible

10. 10

    Lion and Safari Park

    wildlifeAdult R250-R350 (~$15-$21)2-3 hours

    Self-drive lion enclosure plus guided drives; cheetah, giraffe, hyena and wild dog on site.

    Tip: Visit on a morning game drive when animals are most active · Keep windows closed and stay inside the vehicle in the predator enclosures · Research the park's animal-interaction policies before deciding what to take part in · Allow two to three hours, and combine with the Cradle of Humankind nearby · Rent a car or join a tour, since public transport is limited

Attractions by category

Explore by your interests.

Hidden gems

Off-the-beaten-path attractions worth seeking out.

Practical information

What you need to know before you go.

Best Time

April-May and September-October for dry, mild days

Getting Around

Gautrain links OR Tambo, Sandton, Rosebank, Park Station, Midrand and Pretoria. Elsewhere use Uber or Bolt (R80-R300, $5-$18)

Safety

Do not walk inner-city streets after dark; use ride-hailing door to door

Currency

South African rand (ZAR); about R16.3 = US$1

Tickets

Book Maropeng, Cullinan and Gold Reef City online; museum entrances accept cards

Tips for visiting attractions

Make the most of your sightseeing time.

Frequently asked questions