Apartheid Museum
Apartheid Museum
4.5
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This museum is architecturally interesting and packed with thoughtful, often brutal, reminders of South Africa’s history.
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  • bengtnitram
    Malmö, Sweden284 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Jburg must
    Very educational and important to visit. It was bigger than I expected and it took a good 3 hours to go trough it, although I could've spent more time if I had it. I went here after visiting Nelson Mandela's house in Soweto but I was happy to see that they had a separate Mandela, as well as Desmond Tutu, exhibition as well. Don't miss the 15 min movie shown in the cinema as it tells the story of how South Africa's history came to be. The cafe has a decent selection of food and the giftshop is quite nice too.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written December 14, 2023
  • paul d
    21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The most powerful museum I have ever visited
    Simply put, this was the most powerful museum I have ever experience, and I am 83 and have seen a hell of a lot of excellent museums. The building itself is unique and worth the visit itself with regard to museum architecture. But the exhibits are so very powerful, especially after we spent several hours in Soweto. There were plenty of docents to help find our way and see new things. We were there for 3 hours and easily could have spent much more time. I wish that they could find a way to have the essence of the museum travel around the world.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written February 6, 2024
  • Astencijo
    Basingstoke, United Kingdom297 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    So much information
    We have loved the museum, even though we were with 2 young children. So much history, so much interesting information. Display and layout has been done very well, nice flow. Definately worth a visit. For a young family, it took us over 2 hours with a short food break. Loadshedding didn't allow to view all short movies available, but still a great experience
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written February 21, 2024
  • Ash
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania230 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must See
    We had almost three hours here and I could have easily spent another 1-2 hours. It’s very well designed to keep you engaged with film, objects, audio and text. As our first stop in the country, the museum set us up well for other historical stops such as Constitution Hill and also Robben Island by Cape Town.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 29, 2024
  • 53Ruta_R
    Chicago, Illinois478 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    could spend the entire day......
    I went to the museum as part of a tour, so I was only able to spend a couple of hours at the museum. One could spend the the day at the museum. When getting your entry ticket, they give you a "white" or "Non-white" slip so you enter the museum in the appropriate line to enhance the overall experience.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written May 31, 2024
  • Jasmine C
    Tampa, Florida18 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    History Lesson
    This provided great insight on Apartheid. I would highly recommend anyone who wants to know about history check out this spot. Unfortunately, we only could stay in the museum for a little over an hour as we wanted to tour Soweto as well. I would say it could take about 3 hours to thoroughly go through the museum. I was able to read mostly everything, but I did feel a little rushed (my own doing). I would have spent more time listening to some of the videos and such. The museum can be a little confusing to navigate through (as far as which part is what), but someone easily pointed us in the right direction. All the information was thorough and engaging!! Highly recommend!
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 19, 2024
  • JP_and_Maria
    Sofia, Bulgaria561 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must-see museum in Joburg
    This is one of the best museums we have ever visited. We spent more than 4 and a half hours going through the permanent and temporary exhibitions (even though we tried to skip some parts...). It was so informative and moving at the same time. I feel that with all conflicts going around right now, each human being must visit this museum at least once in their life. We loved the "Born free" exhibition the most as it shows the country today through the generations of those born after 1994.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 31, 2024
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Shekar C
Los Altos, CA62 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
We visited the Apartheid Musuem thinking that it would contain some historical events and it shouldn't take us more than couple of hours to go through them. We were simply proven wrong. This place is filled with so many artifacts, that one could spend pretty much the whole day learning about the Apartheid regime in South Africa. It has so much of history, even before the times of official Apartheid regime, and the history of how it all started. There were some real elements such as gates, cells, trucks etc., in the museum, that takes one back to the time it may have happened.

Absolutely, well worth it, for anyone interested in History and Story of Apartheid in South Africa. Time and money well spent.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

williwu w
München72 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2019
You must reserve time for this interesting Museum. A good combination with an privately (!!!) organised trip to Soweto. Do not book any of the expensive tours in bigger busses but ask the concierge at your hotel regarding a privat tour to show you the Nelson Mandela House, Soweto etc.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

journeymadsebi
Northern Ireland, UK33 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We stopped here on the'' Hop on Hop off Bus'' and spent about three hours here which flew by, having a light salad for lunch in the cafe there. What an interesting place this was and from the moment you enter the building the facts surrounding this dark and troubled period in SA's history are outlined in an informative and well presented way with script, testimonies and incredible photos - a separate exhibition on Nelson Mandela was also included and i left, both uplifted and saddened having learnt so so much about this period of time. Worth every penny and a must do while in Johannesburg. If you want you can get off at the Gold Reef Amusement Park next door and walk across to the entrance which also offers free parking if you are driving out. You can find options for eating there as well, use the Casino or / and explore the underground gold mine.
Written April 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

berily72
Sydney, Australia89 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
It’s a living museum with an excellent method of sharing the struggle of South Africa during apartheid but then the joy of equality. It doesn’t pretend, doesn’t gloss over but there is no hatred. I thought I was well read on the subject but I still learned an awful lot. My elderly mother and 17 year old son both loved the museum which shows its appeal to a wide audience. Impressive. Well done South Africa you give example in this era of intolerance.
Written December 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Patricia2004
Perth, Australia76 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
The Apartheid Museum is extremely well set out and gives a great history of this misguided social policy and it’s dreadful impact on so many people. Just like the WW2 Concentration Camps in Europe, I think it’s essential viewing. Let’s hope this episode in history is never repeated.
Written March 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scott H
Melbourne, Australia394 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Solo
The museum was so comprehensive on how Apartheid not only affected South Africa but also the world. The museum showed how the idea came about, how it was constructed and why, how it oppressed the people and how eventually it was brought down. The museum has a lot of interactive exhibits which may evoke a lot of emotion but are very worthwhile in understanding the events that happened. I spent 2 hours in the museum at the permanent collection and the special exhibition and it wasn’t enough- but I wanted to read everything. What I really enjoyed about the museum was there were also artists artworks shown that were interpretive of the time and showed different viewpoints on life in South Africa during Apartheid. If you don’t go to this museum you will miss out one one of the best things in Johannesburg!
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

puistonpenkki
Helsinki, Finland43 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
If you have limited time to spend in Johannesburg this is the place you have to go to. Please still keep in mind that only to have a general idea of the place and just walk though it you will need at least 2-3 hours. If you are planning to dive deeper to all of the information and videos available reserve a whole day (or two) to fully go though the museum.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David C
Nottingham, UK429 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
We were the first to arrive on our trip so had the whole museum to ourselves for 30 mins. The entry fee is 100 rand but we went on a trip. The museum is very informative my only fault is the lay out as felt it wasnt east to follow in date order when walking round the Nelson Mandela part. There is a 40 min video of some of the people involved in the apartheid and was extremely emotional making my wife cry it was so upsetting hearing what people either did or went through. The whole museum is an excellent in site into what the south African people went through during the years. A definite place to visit when in Johannesburg but give yourself at least 4 hours to read and see all the information provided.
Written February 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mike
Philadelphia, PA116 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
This museum is stunning and incredibly rich in detail about such a troubled time in history. Our only disappointment was that we only had a couple of hours to spend there. There was enough information in this museum to keep you busy for at least one full day or more, depending on how much of the exhibit you read. When we visited there was a special Mandela exhibit which we particularly enjoyed.
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Terry K
Antananarivo, Madagascar8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
I have visited the Museum twice, 3 hours the first time and 2 hours the second and I still have not taken it all in. All of what happened 1970-1990 I am ashamed to admit I barely knew. The Museum is well put together with different multi-media displays to maintain your interest. Not the best for young children as they will be bored quickly. But for people interested in events of historical significance you will not be disappointed.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg

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