What to do in Johannesburg when it rains
Johannesburg has plenty under cover when the skies open — historic interiors, art collections, sheltered markets and cafés made for a slow afternoon.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2017, South Africa
- Sci-Bono Discovery Centre Corner of Miriam Makeba and Helen Joseph (formerly Newtown |, Helen Joseph St, Newtown, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
- Origins Centre, Wits University Yale Road &, 1 Enoch Sontonga Ave, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
- Wits Art Museum Wits Art Museum Cnr Jorissen and, Bertha St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2017, South Africa
- James Hall Museum of Transport Klipriviersberg 106-Ir, Johannesburg South, 2197, South Africa
- Johannesburg Art Gallery Cnr Klein and King George Streets Joubert Park, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2044, South Africa
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Victoria Yards 16 Viljoen St, Lorentzville, Johannesburg, 2094, South Africa
- Johannesburg Art Gallery Cnr Klein and King George Streets Joubert Park, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2044, South Africa
- Carfax 39 Gwigwi Mrwebi St, Newtown, Johannesburg, 2113, South Africa
- Standard Bank Gallery 44 Frederick Street, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2107, South Africa
- Ellis House Art Building 23 Voorhout St, Bertrams, Johannesburg, 2094, South Africa
- Living Artists Emporium (LAE) Bertrams Rd cnr, Ellis Park Tennis Club, Miller St, New Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2094, South Africa
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Gandhi Square Precinct New St, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
- The Cosmopolitan Lounge 24 Albrecht St, Jeppestown, Johannesburg, 2043, South Africa
- Rand Club 33 Loveday St, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2107, South Africa
- Mary Fitzgerald Square 120 Lilian Ngoyi St, Newtown, Johannesburg, 2113, South Africa
- Munro Drive Viewpoint 4 Munro Dr, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, 2198, South Africa
- Glenshiel 19 Woolston Rd, Westcliff, Randburg, 2193, South Africa
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Multiflora Flower Market Multiflora Building, Cnr Fig Place &, Vickers Rd, City Deep, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
- Kwa Mai Mai Traditional Market 14 Berea Rd, City and Suburban, Johannesburg, 2094, South Africa
- Dian / Joburg Market 4 Fortune St, City Deep, Johannesburg, 2049, South Africa
- Victoria Yards 16 Viljoen St, Lorentzville, Johannesburg, 2094, South Africa
- Dragon City Management 18 Bonanza St, Selby, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
- Alert Engine Parts Johannesburg 26 Western Blvd, City West, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Victoria Yards 16 Viljoen St, Lorentzville, Johannesburg, 2094, South Africa
- The Troyeville Hotel 1403 Albertina Sisulu Rd, Troyeville, Johannesburg, 2139, South Africa
- Food Lover's Eatery Braamfontein 19 Ameshoff St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2017, South Africa
- Salvation Cafe - 44 Stanley 44 Stanley Ave, Milpark, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
- Sebah cappuccino Dragon City, Mayfair, Johannesburg, 2090, South Africa
- Mugg & Bean Killarney Mall Shop 95, Killarney Mall, 60 Riviera Rd, Killarney, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Dragon City Park Dr, Fordsburg, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
- Oriental Plaza 50 Dolly Rathebe Rd, Fordsburg, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
- Killarney Mall 60 Riviera Rd, Killarney, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
- Carlton Centre Carlton Centre, 150 Commissioner St, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
- Multiflora Flower Market Multiflora Building, Cnr Fig Place &, Vickers Rd, City Deep, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
- 44 STANLEY 44 Stanley Ave, Braamfontein Werf, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.