Johannesburg, South Africa: What to do with a weekend in JoBurg

If you like NYC and LA, this city gives you the best of both worlds. And you probably never even considered holidaying here.

Can’t decide between Los Angeles and New York City? Get the best of both worlds with a place you might never have considered going: Johannesburg.

The big business epicentre of South Africa has a complicated history, but a weekend in the city – affectionately dubbed JoBurg or Jozi by locals – will dunk you into a vibrant cultural experience of history, food and shopping you can’t find anywhere else.

The bustling city that boomed as a gold rush town in 1886 has an attitude like New York City – but sprawls out far and wide like Los Angeles. And while Cape Town to the west offers a laid-back coastal experience of South Africa, JoBurg shows a gutsier side that packs a punch with raw extremes.

Unlike New York and other big cities, the coolest places to stay are outside the hustle and bustle.

Cathay Pacific flies to Johannesburg via Hong Kong so, after landing, check into The Houghton Hotel in the Houghton Estate area. It’s one of the newest upscale hotels in the city and offers modern luxury in all of its room. The Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa is another five-star stay in the nearby suburb of Morningside. Sprawling over lush manicured grounds, guests reside in individual villas that open onto the gardens. You can spend your days wound up in the fast-paced city and return to an oasis that feels like a world away.

So, how do you tackle the big bold world of Jozi? Jump right in by heading straight down to the Maboneng precinct – a frenetic little neighbourhood with strong Williamsburg vibes. It’s just one of many neighbourhoods that showcases the city’s booming music and arts scene. People spill out onto the streets from bars and restaurants and cars honk to get through.

Maboneng is at its most vibrant on a Sunday while the markets are on, but small boutiques with local designer wares are always open. And perched above it all is Living Room Jozi – a rooftop bar filled with lush plants and thumping music. Head on up here in the afternoon for one of the best views as the sun sets over the city before moving on for more drinks around the corner at Cosmopolitan Bar.

In the nearby New Doornfontein neighbourhood, The Marabi Club is a dark little club and restaurant serving up good food, potent cocktails and live jazz. Located along a dark strip of old buildings, you’ll know where to enter by the bouncers standing out front. Punch the exact address into Uber and you shouldn’t have a problem.

To really appreciate the energetic city Jozi is today, it’s important to immerse yourself in the city’s complicated history. A trip to The Apartheid Museum is an eye-opening experience where, upon arrival, visitors are asked to enter in a “white” or “black” queue. The interactive visit is an emotional history lesson in the segregationist system that ruled in South Africa between 1948 and 1994.

Little hubs across the city have been transformed and brought to life with collections of eateries and boutiques. WorkShop New Town showcases emerging start-up creatives and designers, while 44 Stanley is a rabbit warren of cafes, shops selling local homewares and fashion, bakeries and even a music store with a huge collection of modern and classic vinyl.

Keyes Art Mile hub in Rosebank is another creative hub of boutiques and galleries – and it’s also home to Marble restaurant. The foodie scene in JoBurg is on the up and Marble is a prime example of the international standard that’s on offer. The high-end steakhouse by chef David Heggs has a focus on South African fare and celebrates the local tradition of cooking with open fire – all in a slick and modern dining setting.

The biggest misconception about Jozi is with safety but, like any foreign city, as long as caution is exercised and you do your research, you won’t run into trouble. Uber is the easiest and safest way to get around – and it’s much cheaper than Australia – so zipping around the big, bold city is a breeze.

The writer was a guest of South African Tourism and Cathay Pacific.