# Johannesburg/Sandton

Sandton is an affluent suburb and business centre in Johannesburg. It is home to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (the largest in Africa and the twelfth largest in the world), a number of large financial institutions (including local head offices for some foreign banks) and the largest shopping centre in South Africa.
This article also cover Rosebank and the other northern suburbs.

## Understand
### Tourist information

* Sandton Tourism website

## Get in
### By car

From O.R. Tambo International Airport, after you exit the airport, follow R24 Johannesburg signs and the R24 to the Gillooly's Interchange, from here follow the N3 North towards Pretoria, take exit 124 (Sandton/M60 Marlboro Drive) turning left into Marlboro Drive, follow Marlboro Drive until the T-junction with Katherine Street, turn left into Katherine Street, and follow Katherine Street into Sandton.
From the M1, take exit 23 (Sandton/M40 Grayston Drive) or exit 26 (Sandton/M60 Marlboro Dr), and follow Marlboro Drive west until the T junction with Katherine Street (400 m), and turn left at Katherine Street into Sandton. From the N1, take exit 100 (Sandton/M9 Rivonia Road) and follow Rivonia Road south towards Sandton or exit 95 (Sandton/R511 William Nicol Drive) and follow south until it intersects with Sandton Drive, where you turn left. Rush hour traffic during the week can make getting into and out of Sandton a painfully slow business; you will be wise to avoid 7AM-9AM and 4PM-7PM.
Car hire is available from Pace Car Rental in Marlboro.

### By train

* -26.10777828.0572221 Sandton Gautrain railway station. (updated Dec 2020)
* -26.08361128.1113892 Marlboro Gautrain railway station. (updated Sep 2021)

## Get around
### By metered taxi

Taxis can be found at entrance 12 to Sandton City. Metered cabs can also be hired by calling Safecab on +27 861 66-55-66 or Sandton Taxi Cabs on +2711 039 4402. It is illegal for metered taxis to be hailed as is seen in many other cities (e.g. in New York City). Passengers may catch taxis only if booked in advance (in person or by telephone), the only exception being in demarcated metered taxi zones.

### Bus

Several main Metrobus routes serve the Sandton area, running regularly during the day in 30 min to 60 min intervals, as well as in the early evening. The 5C also runs regularly on weekends, including the normal early evening service. The 5C runs along Oxford Road and connects many important tourist attractions, including Sandton City, The Zone@Rosebank, and The Mall of Rosebank. Contact Metrobus on +27 11 375-5555 (Ext. 6) for more information on routes and timetables Metrobus is by far one of the safest and cheapest methods of getting around Sandton, and the City of Johannesburg. It must be noted, however, that Metrobus is not an alternative to private (hired) transport.

### By train

* Park Station is Johannesburg's central station and is in the city center between Rissik (west), Wolmarans (north), Wanderers (east) and De Villiers (south) streets, it occupies several blocks. Whilst the station itself is quite safe, the areas around it may not be. Be careful and try to organise onward transport prior to arrival. All long-distance Spoornet trains are quite safe, as are most MetroRail trains. The best advice is to ask local people prior to using any public transport.
* Spoornet is a freight train company but they do have a branch that offers a passenger service called: Shosholoza Meyl. There are 8 primary routes that link South Africa's cities with smaller towns along each route. There are regular inter-city trains to destinations all over the country, including Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth, East London, Pietermaritzburg, Mbombela and Polokwane. Passengers can chose to travel in the tourist class where there is an option of either a coupe that can accommodate two people or a compartment that can seat four people. If traveling over night these compartments become bedrooms. Another option is the economy class which of course is cheaper, with chairs that can recline but not, alas, turn into beds. There is dining car on the trains where you can buy food. If you are traveling in a coupe or compartment then there is a trolley service available saving you form ever having to leave your compartment
* MetroRail operates frequent commuter trains to many suburbs and outlying towns. As Metrorail operates services in several separate cities, for operational purposes it is subdivided into five regions. The Gauteng region is the one entailing the greater Johannesburg area. Trains run from Johannesburg and Germiston outwards to Springs, Pretoria, Soweto and Krugersdorp.
* Gautrain is a first-world-quality commuter train with two lines, namely Johannesburg-Hatfield and Sandton-OR Tambo airport. Interchange is at Sandton or Marlboro. All journeys are paid using a non-refundable R15 gold card. Gautrain has much fewer stops and shorter travel times than MetroRail but is also significantly more expensive. For example, using Gautrain Johannesburg-Pretoria takes 35 minutes and costs R46 (excluding card purchase), whereas with MetroRail it costs R9 but takes 1 hour 40 minutes. Gautrain is very secure - lots of cameras and guards on the trains and platforms.

### By car rental

* Cabs Car Hire (Car Hire), ☏ +27 21 386 5500, info@cabs.co.za.
* First Car Rental (Car Hire), ☏ +27 11 230-9999, reservations@cmh.co.za. Car rentals in Johannesburg and Johannesburg Airport.
* Pace Car Rental (Car Hire), 34 14th Street, Marlboro, ☏ +27 11 262 5500, 087 808 2542 (extra charge), info@pacecarrental.co.za. Long-term car rental.
* Europcar Car Hire (Car Hire), ☏ +27 11 883-4352, info@europcar.co.za. Car rentals in Johannesburg and Johannesburg Airport.

## See

* Nelson Mandela Statue, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City. The 6-m bronze statue of Nelson Mandela is a favourite photo spot for tourists.
* Gallery on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square, ☏ +27 11 784-2847, fax: +27 11 784-2849, gots@mweb.co.za. M-Sa 9AM to 6PM. Exhibitions of South African and international art.

### Museums

* -26.163328.0421 South African National Museum of Military History, Erlswold Way, Saxonwold, ☏ +27 11 646-5513, milmus@icon.co.za. daily 09:00-16:30. A good collection of military hardware, including one of very few ME 262 jet fighters from World War II still in existence. There is also a huge South African-built G6 self-propelled, 155mm howitzer on show. A snack shop as well as a shop selling genuine and reproduction vintage military equipment is located within the museum. R20 entrance fee.
* -26.04388928.0536112 Liliesleaf Farm, 7 George Ave. Heritage site and museum, the farm is noted for its use as a safe house for African National Congress activists in the 1960s. One of the places making up the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites. (updated Dec 2020)
* -26.1761427.983243 Sophiatown Heritage & Cultural Centre, 73 Toby Street, Sophiatown (close to Melville/Westdene), ☏ +27 11 673-1271. Tu W F 10:00–16:00, Th 10:00–18:00, Sa 10:00–13:00. In February 1955, the government evicted over 60,000 residents of the thriving multi-racial neighbourhood and razed their homes and businesses in order to create a new whites-only town. Sophiatown’s mix of political, literary, music, social, criminal and cultural “movers and shakers” provided a backdrop for this important period in Johannesburg’s history. Entrance: R25 adult, R10 child; group tours, school programmes; R60 adult, R30 child: guided walking tour of Sophiatown.

## Do

* Theatre on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square, ☏ +27 11 883-8606, +27 83 377-4969, fax: +27 11 883-9673, tots@artslink.co.za. Shows Sa 6PM and 9PM, Tu-F 8:15PM. Usually R100 per person.
* -26.02413328.0128191 Montecasino, 1 Montecasino Blvd. A massive entertainment and casino complex. (updated Dec 2020)
** -26.022628.01212 Montecasino Bird Gardens, Montecasino Boulevard (Cnr William Nicol and Witkoppen Roads), Fourways (from the N1, take exit 95 (Marked: 95 Sandton/R511 William Nicol Dr) and head north, cross over Leslie Ave and turn right into Mentecasino Blvd), ☏ +27 11 511-1864. M-F 08:30-17:00, Sa Su 08:30-18:00. Many birds and other small wildlife. Also look out for the 2500-year-old tree located near the parrots. Flight of Fantasy Shows at 11:00 and 15:00 weekdays and 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00 on weekends.
* -25.971828.05423 South African Lipizzaners, 1 Dahlia Road, Kyalami (Follow the N1 towards Pretoria, take exit 108 Midrand, R561 Allandale Road towards Kyalami. Kyalami Road and Main Road intersects at the entrance to the Kyalami racetrack, turn right here. At the second traffic light, turn left and follow Main Road, look out for Maple Road to your right. Turn right into Maple Road and right again into Crocus Road), ☏ +27 11 702-2103, fax: +27 11 468-2718, lipizzaner@hixnet.co.za. Other than Vienna, this is the only place you will ever got to see performing Lipizzaners recognized by the Spanish Riding School. Booking can also be done via Computicket$^{[deadlink]}$.
* -26.131228.05744 Cricket at Wanderers Stadium, Corlett Drive, Illovo, ☏ +27 11 340 1500. The largest cricket ground in the country, holding 34,000. Nicknamed "The Bullring" for its design and the imposing atmosphere of its partisan crowd, it hosts Test matches and World Lions in domestic tournaments. (updated Oct 2023)
* -26.087427.84475 Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, End of Malcolm Rd, Poortview, Roodepoort (the gardens can be tricky to find as they are not well signposted from the main roads: from the N1 get onto Hendrik Potgieter at exit 80 (Roodepoort/M8 14th Ave); follow the signs indicating Tarlton (M47) to the north; pass Clearwater mall, turn left into Handicap Road and right into Malcolm Road where you see the first signpost for the gardens; the gardens will be on your left a couple of hundred metres from here), ☏ +27 11 958-1750, fax: +27 11 958-1752, SisuluGarden@sanbi.org. One of the last green areas remaining within Johannesburg. Lots of birds, including the endangered Black Eagle. There is a restaurant situated within the grounds as well as picnic and braai areas. Adult R100, student R50, pensioner free entry on Tuesdays, child R25, child under 6 years free. (updated Dec 2024)

## Buy
### Art & crafts

* -26.14583728.0420261 African Craft Market, Rosebank Mall, Cnr Cradock and Baker St, Rosebank, ☏ +27 11 880-2906, fax: +27 11 880-2944. Daily 09:00-18:00. African arts & crafts. (updated Dec 2024)
* -26.1251928.032732 Chérie De Villiers Gallery, Shop UM25, Hyde Park Corner Shopping , Cnr William Nicol & Jan Smuts, Hyde Park, ☏ +27 11 788-9949, cheart@global.co.za. A commercial gallery featuring art by South African artists. (updated Dec 2024)

### Shopping malls

* -26.1128.063 Sandton City, 5th St, ☏ +27 11 217-6000, info@sandtoncity.co.za. M-Sa 09:00-18:00, Su 10:00-16:00. A large and popular mall. There are many unique shops here as well as typical South African franchises and even some British stores. (updated Dec 2024)
* -26.0627.9464 Northgate, Corner of Northumberland Rd & Olievenhout Ave, ☏ +27 11 794-1687. In the north-west, next to the Coca-Cola Dome, which is well-known for its big-name music events. Northgate is relatively small in comparison to the other "gates", but nonetheless offers some good recreation options, including movies, paintball, ice skating and weekend entertainment for children. (updated Dec 2024)
* -26.1427.865 Westgate, 120 Ontdekkers Rd, Roodepoort, ☏ +27 11 768-0616, westgatemall@motseng.co.za. M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-17:00, Su 09:00-14:00. For many years the more working-class mall of Johannesburg, Westgatenow boasts a more modern image. Being far away from most of the tourist hotspots, it is virtually unknown to foreign visitors, yet offers a pleasant shopping experience with branches from most of the major chain stores. (updated Dec 2024)
* -26.1327.976 Cresta Mall, Cnr Beyers Naude and Weltevreden Rd, Cresta, ☏ +27 11 678-5306, info@crestashopping.co.za. This is where Central Johannesburg's middle-class population do their shopping and socializing. Big branches of all the major chain stores can be found here, as well as some good family restaurants. Walk around in Cresta and feel like a true local. (updated Dec 2024)
* -26.1528.047 Rosebank, Between Bath and Cradock Aves, Rosebank (from the M1 south, take exit 19 (Johannesburg/M20 Gelnhove Rd), turn right and follow Glenhove to Oxford, cross over Oxford and turn right into 4th Ave that leads directly into the mall parking), ☏ +27 11 788-5530, info@themallofrosebank.co.za. (updated Dec 2024)
* -26.0188628.0042348 Fourways Mall, Cnr Witkoppen Rd & William Nicol Dr, Fourways, ☏ +27 11 465-6095. M-Sa 09:00-19:00. (updated Dec 2024)

## Eat
### 7th Street, Melville

Traditionally Melville has been where most people head to for an evening meal however, it now caters to students more than the moneyed middle classes. Melville offers a small pocket of culture, with street vendors often selling their own artworks, and charity shops abound.
* -26.128.06091 Rodizio, Melrose Arch, 10A High Street, Melrose North, ☏ +27 11 483 1910. It has great Brazilian dishes and a lively party atmosphere. Live music and dancing. (updated Dec 2024)
* -26.05647528.0603392 Arirang in Rivonia, Oriental City 2nd Floor Cnr Rivonia Blvd & Avenue, Rivonia. Tu-Su 11:00-21:00. Very good authentic Korean food, but very expensive. (updated Dec 2024)

### Sandton City Mall

Nelson Mandela Square at Sandton City $^{[deadlink]}$ offers a number of restaurants to choose from, as well as a food court with fast food outlets.
* Baglios, Nelson Mandela Square. Eat delicious hand-made ice cream at the "Bagelos" store.
* The Bull Run, 20 Maude Street, Sandton (Just between Sandton City Mall and Village Walk Shopping Centre), ☏ +27 11 884-1400.
* The Butcher Shop & Grill, Nelson Mandela Square, ☏ +27 11 784-8676.
* Lekgotla, Nelson Mandela Square, ☏ +27 11 884-9555.
* Montego Bay Seafood & Sushi Bar, Nelson Mandela Square, ☏ +27 11 883-6407, fax: +27 11 883-3965.
* Pappas on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square, ☏ +27 11 884-9991.
* Saxon Hotel has one of the best restaurants in Johannesburg. It is the hotel where Nelson Mandela stayed shortly after being released from prison and where he wrote his book ´Long Walk to Freedom´. This is where you will have one of the best gourmet meals in the city, but you need to have deep pockets.
* Trumps International Grillhouse, Nelson Mandela Square, ☏ +27 11 784-2366.
* Wangthai, Nelson Mandela Square, ☏ +27 11 784-8484, fax: +27 11 783-2368.

### Sandton Area

The Greater Sandton areas has many modern excellent restaurants.
* Col’Cacchio, Benmore Gardens Shopping Centre, Cnr Benmore Road & Grayston Drive, ☏ +27 11 783-7650. Excellent stylish pizzeria chain found across South Africa. Offers a large variety of pizza and pasta
* Riverside Café & Bistro, Village Walk Shopping Centre, Maude Street Entrance, ☏ +27 11 784-3390. Offers excellent pasta.
* The Raj, Shop 17, Lower Retail Level Michelangelo Towers Maude St Sandton, Cnr Rivonia Road and Mutual Ave, ☏ +27 11 807-0471. Delicious rich Indian food.
* Ocean Basket, Melrose Square Melrose Arch Corlett Dr Melrose & Sandton City Mall. Really good fish restaurant chain found across South Africa, good prices and quality food. The reality is that this is a franchised model - so if you really are on a holiday and want to taste the flavors of South Africa, avoid such franchised places (including the likes of KFC and McDonald's).
* M&A, Edward Nathan Building, Cnr West & Maude Street, ☏ +27 11 783-4134. Good selection of Italian food.

### Elsewhere

* -26.115728.0013 Mexican Fresh, 75 Barkston Dr, Blairgowrie, ☏ +27 11 326-2276. 11:30-20:30. Serves burritos, nachos, fajitas, tacos and quesadillas. Available as vegetarian, beef, chicken or prawn, all made on-site, every day. All dishes can be accompanied with guacamole, pico de gallo, Mexican rice and fresh salsa. Ask for chilli if you like it spicy. (updated Dec 2024)

## Drink

* Taboo, 24 Central, Cnr Fredman Dr and Gwen Lane, ☏ +27 11 783-2200, fax: +27 11 783-2217, ammar@taboo.co.za.
* Vida e Cafe, Found scattered all across Sandton area. Great coffee and vibrant service.
* -26.162628.08431 The Radium Beer Hall, Louis Botha Ave, Orange Grove, ☏ +27 11 728-3866. This place has been serving beer since 1929. Live music on weekends (updated Dec 2024)
* -26.14328.04242 Katzy's Live Rosebank, The Firs Mall, Rosebank (next to Hyatt). Upmarket bar with music and dancing most nights. Specialises in expensive whiskies. Mixed, middle-aged, wealthy kinda crowd. There is a cover charge to get in when a live band is playing. (updated Dec 2024)

## Sleep
### Budget

* -26.14228.03541 Rosebank Boarding House, 217 Jan Smuts Avenue, ☏ +27-11-4477445. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. Not far from the Gautrain. 4-bed dorm R326 pp. (updated Dec 2024)
* -26.14193128.0353942 The Lodge and Backpacker Rosebank, 219 Jan Smuts Avenue., ☏ +27 11-0238747, mail@placetostay.info. Dorm beds. You can walk here from the Gautrain which takes you to and from the Airport. Dorm R289 pp. (updated Dec 2024)
* -26.13966228.0347393 Zoo Lodge, 233a Jan Smuts Ave, Parktown North, ☏ +27 11 788-5182, zoolodge@backpackafrica.com. This backpacker lodge is in a good location; close to Johannesburg Zoo and Rosebank Mall and on a bus route. Airport and train station pickups available. Near Gautrain. Dorm R225, double R450. (updated Dec 2024)

### Mid-range

* -26.13415828.052554 Protea Hotel Wanderers, Cnr Corlett Dr & Rudd Rd, Illovo, ☏ +27 11 770-5500, apple@phwanderers.co.za. Close to Rosebank and Sandton. From R1330. (updated Dec 2024)
* -26.145727.97645 Orangerie Guest House, 4 Hillel Avenue, ☏ +27 82 457 2710, info@orangerieguesthouse.co.za. Nice guesthouse near Randburg on a hill with a great view from each of the rooms (each having a shared balcony) and a nice host; WiFi; small indoor swimming pool From R880. (updated Dec 2024)
* City Lodge, Cnr Katherine Street and Grayston Drive, ☏ +27 11 444-5300, fax: +27 11 444-5315, clkathstr.resv@citylodge.co.za. From around R800 for a double.
* Glenalmond Hotel, 130 Daisy Street (Located near the city's financial institutions and commercial establishments, Glenalmond Hotel in Sandton, South Africa stands along Daisy Street. Accessible from the Tambo Airport, you can get to the hotel by following the R24 motorway towards Johannesburg. Take the N1 Split towards Pretoria. Proceed straight on to Marlboro Road and take a left on Katherine Street until Grayston Drive.), ☏ +27 11 783-7127, bookings@glenalmondhotel.co.za. From R900.
* Balalaika Hotel, Maude Street, ☏ +27 11 322-5000, fax: +27 11 322-5021, balalaika@mweb.co.za. From R500.
* Southern Sun Grayston, Cnr Rivonia Rd and Grayston Dr., ☏ +27 11 783-5262, fax: +27 11 783-5289, grayston@southernsun.com. From around R600 for a double.
* Town Lodge, Cnr Grayston Dr and Webber Rd, ☏ +27 11 784-8850, fax: +27 11 784-8888, tlgray.resv@citylodge.co.za. From R776 per room.

### Splurge

* Blue Chip Accommodation. Provides various self-catering apartments around the Sandton/Johannesburg area which enables the traveler to feel more at home. The apartments have fully equipped kitchens as well as a lounge with a television/prepaid telephone, bathroom/s, bedroom/s and either private balconies or gardens. All located in secure complexes with 24 hr guard and swimming pool.
* The Colony, 130 Daisy Str, ☏ +27 11 784-1930, fax: +27 11 784-1939, info@colonyhotel.co.za. From R1095 per room per night.
* The Courtyard, 130 Rivonia Rd, ☏ +27 11 884-5500, fax: +27 11 884-5501, cysand.resv@citylodge.co.za. From around R900 for a double.
* Garden Court Sandton, Cnr Katherine Str and Rivonia Rd, ☏ +27 11 884-5660, fax: +27 11 783-2004, gcsandton@southernsun.com.
* Garden Court Sandton City, Cnr West and Maude Str, ☏ +27 11 269-7000, fax: +27 11 269-7100, gcsandtoncity@southernsun.com.
* -26.106428.0546 The Michelangelo Towers, 8 Maude St. (updated Dec 2020)
* Park Plaza, 84 Katherine Str, ☏ +27 11 555-4000, fax: +27 11 555-4007, cmorom@parkplazahotels.co.za.
* Sandton Hilton, 138 Rivonia Rd, ☏ +27 11 322-1888, fax: +27 11 322-1818. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM.
* Sandton Sun, Cnr Fifth and Alice Str, ☏ +27 11 780-5000, fax: +27 11 780-5002, sales@sandtonsun.com.
* -26.1336328.0676327 African Pride Melrose Arch, Autograph Collection, 1 Melrose Sq, Melrose Arch, ☏ +27 11 214 6666. Locked away in the Melrose Arch complex this is a great hotel, with all the facilities you would expect from a 5-star deluxe hotel. From R2,625. (updated Dec 2024)
* -26.143628.04338 Hyatt Regency Johannesburg, 191 Oxford Rd, Rosebank (adjacent to Firs Shopping Centre), ☏ +27 11 280-1234, johannesburg.regency@hyatt.com. 259 rooms & suites with African-inspired décor, black granite bath, work area with high-speed internet access, daily newspaper and evening turndown. Regency Club Lounge for free continental breakfast, evening cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. (updated Dec 2024)
* -26.076528.02449 African Rock Hotels, 48 de Villiers Ave, van Riebeeck Estate, Kempton Park, ☏ +27 11 976-3486, res@arhotels.co.za. This boutique hotel is in the quiet suburb of Kempton Park, away from the flight path of arriving and departing planes. It has a lush tropical garden, a swimming pool and large patio. The interior “look and feel” boasts a successful fusion of African, Western and Oriental design trends and offers a warm, welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. The architecture is contemporary, includes all modern day technologies and is practical and comfortable. The conference room is equipped with a one of its kind suspended boardroom table and has all the facilities required to ensure a successful meeting. From R5,333. (updated Dec 2024)
* -26.145628.040910 54 on Bath, 54 Bath Ave, Rosebank, ☏ +27 11 461 9744. A sophisticated boutique which features a terrace area used for entertainment and an outdoor swimming. From R2,760. (updated Dec 2024)

## Connect

Cheap Wi-Fi is available in many locations throughout Sandton:
* Sandton City
* Nelson Mandela Square
* Sandton Convention Centre
Many hotels are also have their own Wi-Fi hotspots.