Sandton Tourist Places to Visit in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa
Sandton is one of the opulent areas of South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg, situated around 14 km northeast of the heart of Johannesburg. The prosperous Sandston is widely noted as a shoppers’ paradise, home to a grand and recognized shopping centre, Sandton City, one of the largest in Africa. Nelson Mandela Statue is one of the most important landmarks of Sandston. Sandton coordinates with 26°6.42′ S latitude and 28°3.1′ E longitude and spans over an area of 143.54 sq. km.
History of Sandton:
The name Sandton is a blended form of its two suburbs Sandown and Bryanston. Sandton once had municipal status in 1969, but that melted with the reunification of local governments in South Africa. The Tswana people are one of the original settlers of Sandton prior to the arrival of Europeans.
How to reach Sandton?
O.R. Tambo International Airport is the airport serving all areas of Johannesburg, including Sandton. It is the most important airport of South Africa, handling flights to several global cities, including New York, London, Frankfurt, Mumbai and Paris. The distance of 30 km between airport and Sandton can easily be crossed by bus or airport taxi or pre-booked private transfer.
Minibus taxis are the prevalent options to get around Sandston that can be found at West Street or Maude Street.
Culture, Food and Shopping in Sandton:
Sandton is prosperous in all sectors, including culture, with a palatial Sandton Convention Centre, which is at Maude Street.
Sandton City is the primary option for shopping in Sandton, which is also famous as a great entertainment centre.
Things to do in Sandton:
- Shopping
- Your Africa tour
- Visiting spa, casino and museums
What to see in Sandton?
Nelson Mandela Statue:
Situated at Nelson Mandela Square, the Nelson Mandela Statue is one of the highlights of Sandston. This bronze statue measures a height of 6 meters and is famous among all kinds of tourists, especially a favorite of photographers.
Sandston Gallery:
The Sandston Gallery is located on the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton City shopping area, where both South African and international arts are exhibited regularly. It is open for visitors from 9AM to 6PM (Monday to Saturday).
Sandston Theatre:
Like many prominent cultural centres of Sandston, the Sandston Theatre is also situated on the Nelson Mandela Square. Classical South African shows are generally exhibited between 6PM and 9PM. Admission fee is R100.
Sandton City:
The Sandton City is an iconic shopping centre, considered as one of the largest shopping malls in Africa. Visitors can be visited this vibrant shopping centre between 9AM and 6PM (Monday-Saturday) and 10AM to 4PM (Sundays). The mall surely takes a whole day to explore.
Village Walk Shopping Centre:
The Village Walk Shopping Centre is relatively smaller than Sandton City shopping mall, but worth a visit. This pleasant and colorful shopping centre is located at Cnr Maude and Rivonia Rd and is generally open from 9AM to 6PM.
Other places of interest in and around Sandton include:
- Montecasino
- Liliesleaf Farm & Museum
- Cocktails and Canvas
- Orient Spa
- Sandton Convention Centre
- The Fairlawns Spa
- Renaissance Spa
- Old Kromdraai Gold Mine
- Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
- Mandela Family Museum
- Johannesburg Art Gallery
- Top of Africa
When to visit Sandton?
Like the rest of Johannesburg, Sandston experiences a subtropical highland climate. From May to August is the best time to visit Sandston.
Where to stay in Sandton?
It is difficult to find budget hotels in Sandston as it is a highly affluent suburb with plenty of top end and mid range hotels. So budget travelers are needed to reach surrounding areas of Sandston to get convenient accommodations. Some top end hotels in Sandston include:
- Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa
- DaVinci Hotel and Suites
- Michelangelo Hotel
- AtholPlace Boutique Hotel
- Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton
- Faircity Falstaff Hotel
- Holiday Inn Sandton
- Michelangelo Towers
- Cedar Park Hotel & Conference Centre
- Faircity Quatermain Hotel
- Garden Court Sandton City
- Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel
- The Regent Luxury Apartments
- Southern Sun Katherine Street Sandton
- Moloko Executive Apartments and Hotel