Holiday rentals in Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg is the largest, busiest and most vibrant city in South Africa. It has a very strong club culture and there are also tons of bars and other nightspots. Live entertainment is easy to come by too. To enjoy the best of it, you can choose to stay in two main areas of the city, the Braamfontein neighbourhood and the city’s Northern Suburbs, like Fourways and Sandton. Probably the most popular bar in Braamfontein, which is a meeting place for people from all walks of life, is Kitchener’s Carvery Bar. It’s a combination of trendy bar, restaurant, and ultra-hip live music venue. Harem and Onyx are two of the main nightclubs, found in the Rosebank area, another neighbourhood that is party central. Other hot spots are Kong Club, once again in Rosebank, and Sumo Nightclub, once again in the Braamfontein district. Another very cool hangout in a different area is Hell’s Kitchen in the suburb of Melville. Some very good Johannesburg holiday rentals in these areas include Marion Lodge and Verdi, both close to Rosebank. To be closer to the attractions of Braamfontein, you can choose The Haystack on Homestead.

There’s a lot to do on a family holiday in Johannesburg, especially if you have children. The weather is almost always warm and sunny, even in winter, so outdoor living is high on the agenda of locals. Gold Reef City is a sprawling entertainment complex with a casino, a kids’ pantomime theatre and a full funfair. Johannesburg Botanical Garden next to the Emmarentia Dam makes an ideal family picnic spot. There’s also Zoo Lake Park, which is just opposite Johannesburg Zoo. If you’re visiting in summer, when temperatures rise to the mid-30s celsius, you can take the kids to Happy Island Waterworld. You can also take a drive to the Cradle of Humankind, about an hour from the centre of town. You’ll just as easily be able to find holiday rentals in Johannesburg that provide effortless access to these attractions, and can accommodate families in comfort. Choices here include Margaret’s Place, The Residency Jellicoe, and Outlook Lodge Lakefield.

By booking at a holiday rental rather than a larger commercial hotel you’ll be able to enjoy more of the comforts of home. South Africans are known for their hospitality, and if you stay in a family-run guest house, they’ll be only too pleased to introduce you to the many different types of South African cuisine. You’re also most likely be invited to the traditional Sunday “braai” – the South African name for a barbecue. If you prefer to cater for yourself then a holiday rental will make a perfect choice. There are plenty of malls and markets where you can stock up on daily necessities and local produce. Try the Neighbourgoods Market or one of the Food Lovers Markets dotted around the city for fresh ingredients, or head to the Fordsburg suburb near the city centre and visit the renowned Oriental Plaza to bring back some more exotic South African ingredients to cook with.

A holiday apartment rental booking of around 7 nights is most popular for those visiting Johannesburg.

£35 per night is the approximate cost of an average holiday apartment rental in Johannesburg.

Holiday apartments in Johannesburg are often cheapest in January - rental prices can be around 63% lower than the average during this period.

Melville is the classic choice for holiday rentals in Johannesburg.

The number of operators available for hotels in Johannesburg is 2,981 as of May 2025.

Prices for hotels in Johannesburg are updated daily.