Johannesburg was both the beginning and end of my three-month adventure through Southern Africa. I spent a few nights here before setting off across South Africa, Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho and Zanzibar then returned again before my flight home.
Like many first-time visitors, I was a little nervous about Johannesburg. Before arriving, I’d read countless discussions about safety, and throughout my trip locals, guides and accommodation hosts all reinforced the same advice: choose your neighbourhood carefully and avoid wandering alone after dark.
After staying in Rosebank on two separate occasions, it’s the area I would personally recommend to most first-time visitors, particularly solo female travellers. It offered a good balance of safety, great cafes, shopping, restaurants and easy access to the rest of the city via Uber.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Johannesburg, here’s what I’d recommend.
| Area | Best For |
|---|---|
| Rosebank | First-time visitors, solo travellers, cafes, convenience |
| Sandton | Luxury hotels and business travellers |
| Melville | Character, cafes and nightlife |
| CBD | Not recommended for most first-time visitors |
In short: Rosebank is my top recommendation for first-time visitors, Sandton is best for luxury travellers, and Melville is ideal if you’re looking for a more local neighbourhood feel.
Rosebank: My Recommended Area
If a friend messaged me asking where to stay in Johannesburg, my answer would be Rosebank without hesitation.
I stayed here twice during my trip, both at the beginning and the end, and it quickly became a familiar base. By the time I returned after three months on the road, it almost felt like coming home.
One of the biggest advantages of Rosebank is that there are plenty of cafes, restaurants and shops, plus the large Rosebank Mall which became my go-to place for picking up anything I needed during my stay.
I also found Uber to be reliable and affordable, making it easy to get around the city without needing to drive. During the day I felt comfortable walking around the area, although I still remained hyper-vigilant and followed the advice I’d been given not to walk around alone after dark.
Some of my favourite cafes in the area included Proud Mary, Father Coffee, Tashas and Motherland Coffee Company, all excellent spots to grab a coffee or breakfast before a day of sightseeing.
For accommodation, I stayed at both Park Central Apartments and the Holiday Inn Johannesburg. Park Central Apartments felt more like a home away from home, while the Holiday Inn was incredibly convenient thanks to its direct connection to Rosebank Mall, something I especially appreciated as a solo traveller.
Where to Stay in Rosebank
🏠 Apartment: Park Central Apartments
🏨 Mid-Range Hotel: Holiday Inn Johannesburg Rosebank
✨ Luxury Hotel: 54 on Bath
🛏️ Other Popular Options: Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank, Southern Sun Rosebank, The Tyrwhitt Rosebank Apartments
Sandton: Best for Luxury Hotels
If you’re looking for luxury hotels, modern shopping centres and a more upscale experience, Sandton is another popular area to stay in Johannesburg.
Often referred to as the city’s financial district, Sandton is home to some of Johannesburg’s most well-known hotels, high-end restaurants and shopping centres. While it feels more corporate than Rosebank, it can be a great option for travellers looking for comfort, convenience and easy access to organised tours.
Where to Stay in Sandton
✨ Luxury Hotel: The Leonardo
🏨 Mid-Range Hotel: Sandton Sun
🚆 Best for Convenience: Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel
🛏️ Other Popular Options: Seven Villa Hotel & Spa, Courtyard Hotel Sandton
Melville: Best for Cafes, Restaurants and Nightlife
If you’re looking for a neighbourhood with a little more character, Melville is often recommended for its independent cafes, restaurants and nightlife scene.
Compared to the modern feel of Rosebank and Sandton, Melville has a more creative and local atmosphere. It’s a popular choice amongst younger travellers, digital nomads and those wanting to experience a different side of Johannesburg.
While I didn’t personally stay here, Melville consistently appeared during my research as one of the best areas to stay in Johannesburg for travellers seeking a more laid-back and community-oriented vibe.
Where to Stay in Melville
🏠 Guesthouse: Lucky Bean Guesthouse
🏨 Mid-Range Hotel: Garden Court Milpark
🛏️ Other Popular Options: Melville Turret Guesthouse, Agterplaas Guesthouse, Life on 3rd
Should You Stay in Johannesburg CBD?
Personally, I wouldn’t recommend staying in Johannesburg CBD as a first-time visitor.
Before my trip, I repeatedly came across advice to choose areas such as Rosebank or Sandton instead, particularly as a solo traveller. Once I arrived, that advice was echoed by local guides, accommodation hosts and other travellers I met along the way.
I did visit the CBD as part of a guided city tour, however we primarily drove through the area rather than exploring extensively on foot. While there are interesting historical sites and cultural attractions within the city centre, I found Rosebank to be a much more comfortable base for exploring Johannesburg.
For most first-time visitors, especially solo female travellers, I’d recommend staying in Rosebank, Sandton or Melville and visiting the CBD as part of an organised tour if it’s on your itinerary.
How I Explored Johannesburg
I visited Johannesburg on a guided city tour which included stops at key landmarks and a drive through the CBD. As a first-time visitor, I found it a great way to learn more about the city’s history and culture while exploring with a local guide!
👉 Johannesburg: Full-Day Tour with Soweto and Apartheid Museum
Is Johannesburg Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
I visited Johannesburg as a solo female traveller and, while I never experienced any issues, it isn’t a destination I would recommend as someone’s very first solo travel experience.
Before arriving, I did a lot of research and was aware of the safety concerns often associated with the city. Once I arrived, the advice from locals, guides and accommodation hosts was largely consistent: stay aware of your surroundings, use Uber to get around, avoid walking alone after dark and choose your neighbourhood carefully.
Throughout my time in Johannesburg (and all of South Africa honestly), I remained vigilant and followed those precautions. I felt comfortable exploring Rosebank during the day and found Uber to be reliable and affordable, but I never walked around alone at night.
That said, I don’t think Johannesburg should be avoided altogether. South Africa was one of the highlights of my travels, and Johannesburg serves as a gateway to some incredible destinations throughout the country and wider Southern Africa region.
For first-time solo female travellers, however, I’d generally suggest starting somewhere a little easier to navigate before tackling Johannesburg. If you do visit, choosing an area such as Rosebank, Sandton or Melville and taking sensible precautions can go a long way towards having a positive experience.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Johannesburg
If I were visiting Johannesburg again, I’d stay in Rosebank without hesitation.
After beginning and ending my three-month Southern Africa trip here, it became a familiar and comfortable base with great cafes, convenient accommodation and easy access to the rest of the city. While areas like Sandton and Melville may suit different travel styles, I think Rosebank strikes the best balance for most first-time visitors.
No matter where you choose to stay, Johannesburg is worth experiencing. It serves as the gateway to some of Southern Africa’s most incredible destinations and offers a fascinating introduction to South Africa’s history, culture and diversity.
Alexx
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tours, hotels and services that I’ve personally used or genuinely believe will add value to your trip.
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