Newtown
3.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
116 reviews
Excellent
27
Very good
49
Average
27
Poor
8
Terrible
5
Chris P
Shanghai, China6,032 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
The area has been so upgraded and looks impressive. It was late afternoon when I was there and was warned about safety, especially being solo and looking like a tourist. Maybe need to go back with a guide. Looks very interesting
Written May 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.
Jozistreats
Johannesburg, South Africa32 contributions
Jul 2018
This is where you'll find some of the most creative people in the city. The Bag Factory, The Dance Factory, Moving Into Dance all have their homes in the heart of Newtown. While you are there visit The SciBono and Africa Museums or watch one of the excellent shows at the Market Theatre. Several times a year, Newtown comes alive to the sound of music with the annual Jazz Festival, Africa Day or Fête de la Musique, so watch out for those too. Me?! I go for the artworks that can be found all around the streets and on the walls of the buildings. The graffiti art is fantastic.
Written August 19, 2018
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.
Brian J
London, UK17 contributions
Sep 2013 • Business
After staying in Sandton which is the business district, it was really nice to be taken by South Africans to this part of town, which felt much more real than bling Sandton. An old part of Jburg was reclaimed, and it was really cool - lots of funky places to eat and shop.
Written October 5, 2013
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.
Kate R
Pretoria, South Africa15 contributions
Dec 2012
Friends got mugged. Be very careful there! Don't go at night or by yourself, and don't take valuables with you.
Written April 28, 2013
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.
Sofi NS
Athens, Greece22,988 contributions
Feb 2018 • Business
Since the fall of the Apartheid regime and the shift to the new administration there was a massive change in downtown Johannesburg. As a tourist you give second priority to the historical events that led to the current situation and put top priority to your safety.
And your safety is at stakes. The downtown area looks deserted and many buildings dilapidated. Piles of trash and pot holes in the once well preserved streets. You would not dare to walk in most of these streets. You'd better ride and hop off to specific and targeted museums and monuments that you wanna see or photograph. Museum of Africa being one such place, and a drive by the Gandhi statue and Supreme court.
I think that Bronx is a boarding school area compared to downtown Johannesburg.
And your safety is at stakes. The downtown area looks deserted and many buildings dilapidated. Piles of trash and pot holes in the once well preserved streets. You would not dare to walk in most of these streets. You'd better ride and hop off to specific and targeted museums and monuments that you wanna see or photograph. Museum of Africa being one such place, and a drive by the Gandhi statue and Supreme court.
I think that Bronx is a boarding school area compared to downtown Johannesburg.
Written March 24, 2018
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.
Bozeman-Dublin
Trim, Ireland11,334 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
Newtown is an admirable idea, an attempt at urban regeneration right in the heart of Johannesburg city centre.
They've tried to make it into an arty area with lots of restored buildings and local artisans setting up stalls to sell their wares.
A nice open plaza as it's focal point with one for two nice bars nearby.
However we found it very intimidating and dangerous, especially after dark. We couldn't wait to get out of the place. Nothing happened to us or anything but quite a few ne'er-do-wells were mooching about. I've travelled a lot and sometimes you have to trust your instincts - and my instincts were telling me that this place is not the safest.
They've tried to make it into an arty area with lots of restored buildings and local artisans setting up stalls to sell their wares.
A nice open plaza as it's focal point with one for two nice bars nearby.
However we found it very intimidating and dangerous, especially after dark. We couldn't wait to get out of the place. Nothing happened to us or anything but quite a few ne'er-do-wells were mooching about. I've travelled a lot and sometimes you have to trust your instincts - and my instincts were telling me that this place is not the safest.
Written September 24, 2017
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.
Sonja P
Schweizer-Reineke, South Africa28 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
The only place worth visiting was the Africa Museum. Although I feel they can involve the local artists here much more and fill the empty spaces inside the Museum. Have shows, art exhibitions, charge money for entrance at each private show or exhibition. Involve your community and local artists. Enough parking, but a dangerous area to drive through. We almost got hijacked. So arrange public transport for visitors.
Make it a fun day for the whole family. What about a coffee shop?
Make it a fun day for the whole family. What about a coffee shop?
Written June 12, 2017
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.
Ashton H
Johannesburg, South Africa27 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
Get district to go shopping, drink beer at the s a b brewery,visit the museum or chill out in one of the street side cafe restaurant,nice,felt safe and unthreaded
Written August 4, 2013
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.
Aria E
Columbus, OH125 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
Once upon a time this precinct was vibrant. And organically so! A few corporate companies descended upon it and set about 'improving' it. Damage is what resulted. Newtown is now dead. The artists have moved on. What's become of Newtown is hollowness. Some colourful grafitti tours, an ugly new Mall in construction behind the historic Market Theatre, a sad Museum Afrika, SciBono, an empty Baseline (a venue that made musical history before it moved from Melville), etc is mainly what one finds there. Hopefully this will change over time, and the creative types will once again own this space and make it dynamic.
Written May 17, 2013
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.
Sanjay D
South Africa93 contributions
Jun 2012
I always was a bit scared to venture in this area. If you also feel the same way, I'm here to allay your concerns. Take the family there. It is really fantastic to experience Jozi in its raw form.
Written April 26, 2013
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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