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Jacob Wackerhausen
Jacob Wackerhausen

Johannesburg for Women: Your ultimate city guide

Whether you’re a local seeking a new side of the city or a visitor ready to dive in, this ultimate Jozi guide is packed with experiences to match your every mood.

Liesl Bartlett
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Forget the clichés — Johannesburg is so much more than the City of Gold. It’s bold, it’s beautiful, and it’s brimming with experiences made for women who want to live it up, slow it down, or try something totally new.

Whether you’re a local looking for a fresh perspective or a visitor ready to explore, we've curated the ultimate guide to Jozi, structured around the different kinds of experiences you crave. So call the squad, charge your phone, and get ready to see Joburg in a whole new light. 

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Best of Johannesburg for women

For the girls’ girl

If your ideal weekend involves brunch, boutique shopping, and high tea, Johannesburg is your playground. Start your day at a place like The Secret Tea Garden in Fourways, a hidden gem nestled in a tranquil garden setting perfect for catching up with friends over delicate pastries and sandwiches.

The Experience: Indulge your creative side with a Paint & Sip workshop, where you can enjoy wine while a local artist guides you through creating your own masterpiece. It’s a fun, social, and perfectly girly way to spend an afternoon.

The Restaurant: For an elegant lunch, book a table at the award-winning Level Four Restaurant at 54 on Bath, known for its refined afternoon tea and contemporary fine dining.

The Hotel: Stay at the stylish 54 on Bath, a boutique hotel in Rosebank that offers luxurious rooms and is just a short walk from some of the city's best markets and boutiques.

For the adventure seekers

Got a need for speed and a love for the outdoors? Jozi and its surrounds have you covered. Experience the city from a new perspective with a hot air balloon ride over the Cradle of Humankind, watching the sunrise paint the landscape. For a true adrenaline rush, you can bungee jump or swing from the iconic Orlando Towers in Soweto, the world's first power station cooling towers to be used for commercial bungee jumping.

The Experience: Head to a local Acrobranch park and challenge yourself with treetop obstacle courses, ziplines, and climbing walls set high among the trees.

The Restaurant: After a day of thrills, refuel at the Cradle Restaurant, a beautiful venue overlooking the Cradle of Humankind with a menu of hearty, locally sourced meals.

The Hotel: Unwind at the tranquil Mount Grace Hotel & Spa in the Magaliesberg Mountains, offering a blissful countryside escape with guided nature walks and mountain biking trails right on your doorstep.

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For the wildlife wanderers

You don't have to go all the way to the Kruger National Park to get a taste of the wild. Just a short drive from the city, you can embark on a full-day safari to the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, a malaria-free park where you have a fantastic chance of spotting the Big Five. For a half-day adventure, the Lion & Safari Park offers up-close encounters with lions, wild dogs, and other magnificent animals in their natural homes.

The Experience: Book a full-day game drive at the African Hills Safari Lodge & Spa, a private reserve where you can spot big game in a pristine bushveld environment, all within an hour's drive of the city.

The Restaurant: Enjoy a unique dining experience at the lodge's on-site restaurant, which offers delicious meals overlooking a dam often frequented by wildlife.

The Hotel: Stay immersed in the wilderness at the stunning African Hills Safari Lodge, a four-star lodge that combines a big game experience with luxurious accommodation and a relaxing spa.

For the culturally curious

Jozi's art scene is vibrant and everywhere, from world-class galleries to breathtaking street art. Begin your art crawl at the Keyes Art Mile in Rosebank, a hub of local art and design. Here, you'll find galleries like the Everard Read and Circa Gallery, where you can lose yourself in contemporary African works.

The Experience: Join a guided graffiti tour of the Maboneng Precinct. A local guide will walk you through the history and meaning behind the incredible street art and murals that define this neighbourhood.

The Restaurant: Grab a drink and a bite to eat at The Living Room Jozi, a unique rooftop garden and urban oasis in Maboneng with fantastic views and a bohemian vibe.

The Hotel: Immerse yourself in a creative space at Pablo House in Melville, a chic, art-filled guesthouse with beautifully designed rooms and an eclectic atmosphere.

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For the wellness warriors

Need to escape the hustle and find your inner peace? Jozi has plenty of places to help you reset. The Oxford Healthcare Retreat in Melrose North is an urban oasis offering a tranquil escape with a floatation pool, a sauna, and personalised wellness therapies.

The Experience: Spend a day at the Thaba Eco Hotel's spa, where you can enjoy rejuvenating massages, hydrotherapy treatments, and find your calm surrounded by nature and lush gardens.

The Restaurant: Grab a healthy and delicious meal at Leafy Greens Café, nestled on the beautiful Casalinga Farm in Muldersdrift. The cafe's philosophy is all about "eat whole, feel great," offering a delightful menu of wholesome, plant-based meals crafted from fresh, organic ingredients grown right on the farm.

The Hotel: Retreat to the Thaba Eco Hotel, a beautiful and sustainable hotel on the outskirts of the city that provides a true escape with its focus on eco-friendly practices and holistic wellness.

For the lovers of luxury

When only the best will do, Johannesburg delivers. Start with a fine dining experience at Marble Restaurant in Rosebank. Perched on the top floor of a building in Keyes Art Mile, it’s a celebration of South African cuisine, cooked over an open fire with one of the best views of the city skyline. Alternatively, Signature Restaurant in Sandton offers a sophisticated menu and live music for an unforgettable night out.

The Experience: Indulge in an exclusive spa day at the Four Seasons Spa Westcliff, a luxurious urban retreat offering panoramic views and a range of nature-inspired, signature rituals.

The Restaurant: For another top-tier option, check out Kream Restaurant in Mall of Africa, a fine-dining establishment known for its contemporary global cuisine and sophisticated ambience.

The Hotel: The ultimate luxurious stay awaits at the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff. This hotel offers breathtaking panoramic views, an exquisite spa, and a culinary experience that will make you feel like royalty.

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For the nightlife connoisseur

The City of Gold truly comes alive after dark, offering a vibrant nightlife scene that ranges from sophisticated rooftop cocktails to pulsating dance floors. Grab your girls and get ready to dance until dawn!

The Experience: For a night of live jazz and premium drinks, head to Katzy's Live in Rosebank, a premier jazz and cigar lounge with a vibrant atmosphere.

The Restaurant: For a late-night feast, head to Eclipse Restaurant at Hotel Sky in Sandton, a stylish Afro-chic spot with an excellent menu and a beautiful view from its floor-to-ceiling windows, open until late.

The Hotel: Stay in the heart of the action at Hotel Sky Sandton, a modern and tech-savvy hotel that's perfectly located to explore Sandton's buzzing nightlife.

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