Sandton in a Day: A Thrilling Itinerary of Fun and History

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by Joseph

March 29, 2024 · 1 min read

Sandton 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a whirlwind adventure through Sandton with a one-day itinerary that promises non-stop fun and a touch of history. Start your day at the exhilarating Gold Reef City Theme Park, where you can spend the entire day on thrilling rides and attractions that will transport you back to the gold rush era. After a day of excitement, unwind at the iconic Nelson Mandela Square, a perfect spot to soak in the city's vibrant atmosphere and enjoy the hot springs for a couple of hours. Cap off your day with a visit to the Union Buildings, a significant historical site and museum that offers a glimpse into South Africa's past. This compact itinerary is designed to maximize your time in Sandton, ensuring you experience the best of entertainment and culture.

Top 6 Hotels in Sandton
TOP 1
Hilton Sandton
Hilton Sandton
hotelStar
5/5
53 reviews
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TOP 2
Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton
Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton
hotelStar
4/5
55 reviews
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TOP 3
Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, Sandton Johannesburg
Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, Sandton Johannesburg
hotelStar
4/5
114 reviews
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Protea Hotel Johannesburg Wanderers
Protea Hotel Johannesburg Wanderers
hotelStar
4/5
40 reviews
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Mint Express Sandton View
Mint Express Sandton View
hotelStar
2/5
16 reviews
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Davinci Hotel on Nelson Mandela Square
Davinci Hotel on Nelson Mandela Square
hotelStar
5/5
67 reviews
View Hotel Info

Day 1: Thrills and Heritage in Sandton

1

Gold Reef City Theme Park

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Kickstart your Sandton adventure at the exhilarating Gold Reef City Theme Park. As the first stop in your one-day itinerary, this playground promises a full day of fun with its variety of rides and attractions. Located at Northern Pkwy & Data Cres, Johannesburg, the theme park is a treasure trove of excitement, offering something for everyone. Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping roller coasters or family-friendly entertainment, Gold Reef City delivers an unforgettable experience that captures the spirit of Johannesburg's rich gold-mining history.

Attraction Info

  • Northern Pkwy & Data Cres, Johannesburg, 2159, South Africa
  • Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 day
  • Open on Thu-Sun,9:00am-5:00pm;Closed on Mon-Wed

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

The Griffin
The Griffin
/5 · 0 reviews
3.8 km from attraction
Golden Falcon Spur Steak Ranch
Golden Falcon Spur Steak Ranch
/5 · 0 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
Kashif's Fusion Food
Kashif's Fusion Food
/5 · 0 reviews
3.7 km from attraction
Pensacola Spur Steak Ranch
Pensacola Spur Steak Ranch
/5 · 0 reviews
3.8 km from attraction
Geets Vegetarian Takeaway
Geets Vegetarian Takeaway
/5 · 0 reviews
3.7 km from attraction
Lal Qila
Lal Qila
/5 · 0 reviews
3.0 km from attraction
24 min,21.5 km
2

Nelson Mandela Square

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After the thrills of Gold Reef City, unwind at the iconic Nelson Mandela Square, a mere 2-hour visit that will immerse you in the warmth of South African culture. Situated at 5th St, Sandown, this bustling plaza is not only a tribute to the late, great Nelson Mandela but also a hub of activity with its hot springs and vibrant atmosphere. Take a leisurely stroll, snap a photo with the impressive Mandela statue, and enjoy the array of shopping and dining options that surround you.

Attraction Info

  • 5th St, Sandown, Sandton, 2031, South Africa
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-4 hour
  • Open on Mon-Sat,9:00am-10:00pm;Open on Sun,9:00am-6:00pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

The Bigmouth Sushi & Grill
The Bigmouth Sushi & Grill
5/5 · 2 reviews
0.0 km from attraction
Cilantros
Cilantros
/5 · 0 reviews
0.1 km from attraction
Pigalle Sandton
Pigalle Sandton
/5 · 0 reviews
0.1 km from attraction
Cucina Luna
Cucina Luna
4/5 · 0 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
Tashas
Tashas
5/5 · 2 reviews
2.9 km from attraction
Mezepoli Meze and Wine Bar
Mezepoli Meze and Wine Bar
/5 · 0 reviews
3.0 km from attraction
46 min,48.88 km
3

Union Buildings

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Conclude your day with a touch of history at the Union Buildings, an architectural masterpiece and the seat of South Africa's government. With just an hour to explore, you'll find yourself at Government Ave, Pretoria, marveling at the grandeur of the buildings and the beautifully landscaped gardens. As a museum and a beacon of political heritage, the Union Buildings offer a serene environment to reflect on the country's journey and the legacy of its leaders.

Attraction Info

  • Government Ave, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Bravo Pizzeria Hatfield
Bravo Pizzeria Hatfield
/5 · 0 reviews
3.2 km from attraction
Rooikat Restourant
Rooikat Restourant
5/5 · 0 reviews
3.6 km from attraction
Rhapsody's-Sunnyside
Rhapsody's-Sunnyside
4/5 · 5 reviews
1.5 km from attraction
Kauai Hatfield
Kauai Hatfield
/5 · 0 reviews
2.5 km from attraction
Grounded at Echo
Grounded at Echo
/5 · 0 reviews
2.5 km from attraction
Papa's Restaurant
Papa's Restaurant
4/5 · 1 review
3.1 km from attraction
4/578 Reviews
4/5Very Good78 Reviews
Arcadia
Pretoria
|0.54km from Union Buildings
3.7/511 Reviews
3.7/511 Reviews
Arcadia
Pretoria
|0.71km from Union Buildings
3.5/50 Reviews
3.5/50 Reviews
Arcadia
Pretoria
|0.83km from Union Buildings
4/548 Reviews
4/5Very Good48 Reviews
Arcadia
Pretoria
|0.87km from Union Buildings

Top Things to Do in Sandton-2024

TOP 1
Nelson Mandela Square
Nelson Mandela Square
4.6/5 · 78 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 2,862 review
Highlights:
Mandela Square is one of the most popular places in South Africa. The whole square is full of fashion, casual coffee bars, restaurants, and 93 plus special stores. Due to its central location in Sandton, transportation is very convenient, with access to the financial district, Sandton Convention Centre, luxury hotels and 295 unique shops in Sandton City. The design idea of the whole square is to bring the Italian style of life to Africa.
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TOP 2
Montecasino Bird Gardens
Montecasino Bird Gardens
4.6/5 · 23 review
Highlights:
What you can't miss when visiting South Africa is the variety of animals in South Africa. The Monte Cassino Bird Park in Johannesburg allows you to get up close and personal with all kinds of exotic birds in the world. There are more than 60 species of birds in the park. The park is a real natural ecological environment, and various colorful and exotic birds perch and fly among the trees. Visitors can touch and play with birds. In addition to various birds, there are mammals and reptiles unique to Africa in the park, and you can even see antelope roaming among the trees. Bird Park has a bird show on weekends and holidays, don't miss the wonderful performance after visiting.
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TOP 3
Union Buildings
Union Buildings
4.4/5 · 66 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,397 review
Highlights:
The Presidential Palace is a group of majestic granite buildings. The main building is a European palace-style building with a semi-circular red roof and beige walls. high-rise buildings. The Presidential Palace stands on the top of a densely vegetated hill in Pretoria. It is the top of the city. Standing in front of the palace, you can overlook the whole picture of the capital. Ling or Qu. The Presidential Palace is very attractive to tourists is a "World War I Hero Monument" standing in front of the encircling square. The monument is about 12 meters high and the monument body is 3 meters square. It is all made of beige granite. On the top of the monument are two powerful naked warriors standing on either side of a steed with their heads held high. English inscriptions are engraved in all four directions of the stele, with a large cross on the front and a huge wreath below the cross. A set of Arabic numerals "1914-1918" is clearly engraved on the top of the monument under the two warriors and above the cross. Not far below the monument, there is also a mausoleum of martyrs, which makes people have to cherish the history and cherish the present.
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TOP 4
aha Lesedi Cultural Village
aha Lesedi Cultural Village
4.7/5 · 19 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 448 review
Highlights:
Sun City Folk Culture Village is an open-air museum that comprehensively displays African tribal culture. The "village" of the Folk Culture Village will greet the distinguished guests with singing and dancing. The 8 huts were built and decorated according to different tribal traditions. Through these objects and explanations, tourists can truly understand the cultural differences of each tribe.
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TOP 5
Gold Reef City Theme Park
Gold Reef City Theme Park
4.7/5 · 74 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,881 review
Highlights:
Located on an old gold mine in Johannesburg, the City of Gold Mines is the largest theme amusement park and leisure entertainment center in Johannesburg. The city of gold mines is themed around the Witwatersrand Gold Rush. The employees in the theme park are dressed in the costumes of gold diggers from the 1880s, and the design of the park is also imitating the style of that era. There are many free-range peacocks strolling leisurely in the park, passing by from time to time. The theme park is surrounded by hotels, entertainment venues, restaurants, children's museums, 4D cinemas, and a journey into a gold mine. The mines of the Golden City were dug to a depth of 3,200 meters underground, and now tourists can go down to 220 meters underground to see the actual operation of gold mining at that time. Also see the actual melting of gold and the process of casting gold coins.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Sandton 1 Day Itinerary