Just 50 years ago Sandton's Central Business District was little more than rolling farmland. Nowadays however it is the economic hub of South Africa, the location for the headquarters of many of the country's biggest companies who are housed in striking modern skyscrapers that can be seen from miles around. While most visitors come to Sandton to do business, the area is also a shopping mecca with the country's biggest shopping malls and a good selection of fine dining restaurants and upmarket hotels. With a direct 15-minute Gautrain link to O R Tambo International Airport, for many visitors to Johannesburg, central Sandton is their first port of call in the city.
Shop till you drop
The three interlinked shopping mega malls Sandton City, Nelson Mandela Square and Michelangelo Towers have enough shopping to keep you occupied for days with hundreds of local and international high street names. If you are a big spender then you won’t want to miss the Diamond Walk, a luxury shopping arcade containing the African flagship stores of designer brands such as Louis Vuitton, Prada and Gucci. Don't be surprised to spot a local celebrity or two sipping champagne at the Diamond Walk's very own champagne bar. Also drop into Luminance, a designer department store with a special focus on South African designers.
Culture on the square
Sandton's leading cultural institution is the Auto & General Theatre on the Square which hosts excellent theatre productions based on the works of local and international playwrights, as well as a lunch-hour classical concert every Friday that is worth looking out for. The theatre is located on Nelson Mandela Square a civic square lined with a flash selection of cafes and restaurants such as the chic cafe-restaurant Tashas which is much loved by the city’s socialites and The Big Mouth, a high-end sushi and seafood restaurant with eye-catching Art Deco-inspired interiors. At the top of the square is a large statue of the late Nelson Mandela, a popular place for photos.
Ride a hot-air balloon
There are precious few parks in central Sandton and Hyundai Mushroom Farm Park is undoubtedly the best. This is a well-maintained green space popular with families who like to come here on weekends to enjoy picnics and to take a ride on the Hyundai balloon, a tethered hot-air balloon that provides panoramic views over Sandton and beyond.
Go for dinner on Parkmore's 11th street
Just a few blocks away from Sandton's glitzy skyscrapers and hotels is 11th Street, a low-rise strip of restaurants that offer everything from traditional Chinese hot pots, Korean barbecue and Indian street food to top fine dining venues such as the minimalist Eatery JHB and the Thomas Maxwell bistro. There are also a handful of bars including the rooftop gastropub Parliament.
Make time for a rooftop sundowner
Sandton's many upmarket hotels boast relaxing spaces to escape the concrete jungle and unwind with a cocktail. Try the San deck at the Sandton Sun Hotel for cocktails on the city's largest rooftop, visit the Maslow Hotel for a drink in the tropical gardens surrounding the infinity pool or drop into the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel for a gin and tonic on the roof terrace overlooking the Gautrain station before catching a connection to the airport.
Directory
Sandton City corner Sandton Drive and Rivonia Road (tel. +27 (0)11 217 6000, www.sandtoncity.com)
Nelson Mandela Square corner West Street and Rivonia Road (tel. +27 (0)11 217 6001, www.nelsonmandelasquare.co.za)
Auto & General Theatre on the Square Nelson Mandela Square (tel. +27 (0)82 553 5901, www.theatreonthesquare.co.za)
Luminance Nelson Mandela Square (tel. +27 (0)11 326 7941, www.luminanceonline.com)
Tashas Nelson Mandela Square (tel. +27 (0)11 883 0389, www.tashascafe.com)
The Big Mouth Nelson Mandela Square (tel.+27 (0)63 293 8869, www.thebigmouth.co.za)
Hyundai Mushroom Farm Park Daisy Street (off Rivonia Road)
Eatery JHB corner 11th Street and Victoria Ave, Parkmore (tel. +27 (0)11 783 1570, www.eateryjhb.co.za)
Thomas Maxwell 140 11th street, Parkmore (tel. +27 (0)11 7841575, www.thomasmaxwell.co.za)
Parliament corner Victoria Ave and 11th street, Parkmore (tel. +27 (0)11 783 1467, www.parliamentrestaurant.co.za)
Sandton Sun Hotel corner Alice Lane and 5th Street (tel. +27 (0)11 780 5501, www.tsogosunhotels.com)
Maslow Hotel 146 Rivonia Road (tel. +27 (0)10 226 4600, www.suninternational.com)
Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel corner Rivonia Road and West street (tel. +27 (0)11 286 1000, www.radissonblu.com)
