Johannesburg wears its art on its walls. Walk down Juta Street on a Saturday morning and you will pass murals, paste-ups and window displays by local painters. Our writers spent three weekends mapping the best routes through Braamfontein and Maboneng.
Bring comfortable shoes, a bottle of water and a camera. Most of the best pieces sit just off the main roads, so keep your eyes up.
Where to start
Begin at the Wits end of Braamfontein and work your way towards Maboneng. Stop for a coffee on the way, and ask the artists what their work means to them. Most are happy to chat.
Plan your walk for the morning, when the light is soft and the streets are quiet. Most routes take about two hours at an easy pace, with plenty of stops for photos, food and a cold drink.
Getting around safely
Go in a small group, keep your phone out of sight and stick to the busier streets. Local guides know the area well and can take you to spots that most visitors never see. A small tip goes a long way.
Thandi Mokoena, Muralist
Thandi paints large walls across Braamfontein and has done so for eight years. She says the best work starts with the street itself, its people and its stories. Her latest piece covers the side of a old printing works near Juta Street and is easy to find on foot.
Pieter Venter, Photographer
Pieter has spent ten years photographing the inner city at dawn. His advice is simple: arrive early, walk slowly and look up. His photo essays for Stoeptalk show Johannesburg in a quiet, honest light that most people only notice when they stop to look.
Sipho Dlamini, Tour Guide
Sipho leads small walking tours through Maboneng every weekend. He knows the artists by name and the history behind each wall. Book ahead, as groups stay small on purpose. He finishes every tour at a local coffee shop, where the conversation carries on.
Naledi Khumalo, Gallery Owner
Naledi runs a small gallery on a side street in Braamfontein. She focuses on young artists who are new to the city's scene. Drop in on a Friday evening for an opening, and you may leave with something small and affordable to take home.
Why local stories matter
Every neighbourhood in Johannesburg has a story worth telling. We send our writers out to meet the people who run the shops, cook the food and paint the walls. Their voices shape how we see the city. Read their profiles, visit their spaces and support their work wherever you can.
