What to do in Johannesburg on a rainy day

25 Mar 2026

Go for nostalgia with arcade games and bowling at Cracker Zac's, Rosebank. Photo: Supplied.

Colour on a cloudy day at De Baba Eatery, Melville. Photo: Supplied.

Get your adrenaline going when it's grey out at Friends & Allies climbing gym. Photo: @surefooted_photography.

Rainfall in Joburg is plentiful. The city loves a short-lived and dramatic thunderstorm as much as a cloudy day with non-stop drizzle. Luckily, there's always fun to be had out and about – from cosy cafés and tucked-away galleries to indie cinemas and comfort food. Whether you’re looking to stay warm, stay curious, or just stay dry, here’s what to do in Johannesburg on a rainy day.

1. Cosy cafés and comfort food

We're in love with the Ligne Roset couches at Rosebank "third space", here – the perfect spot to while away the hours. Photo: Johannesburg In Your Pocket.

– Tuck into custom-filled paninis at the upstairs restaurant at Super Sconto, with views over Louis Botha Avenue. Don’t leave without stocking up on Italian deli goods to take home.
– Cosy up at one of Joburg’s best bakeries. We love De Baba Eatery in Melville, The Test Bakery in Milpark (open weekends), or one of the many Fournos branches around the city.
– Take your book and settle in at here. in Rosebank for excellent coffee or matcha and baked treats. The designer yellow couches are made for rainy-day lounging.
– It’s soup weather. Warm up with the beef flank soup at PRON (People’s Republic of Noodles) in Linden or a DIY hot pot at Bull Hot Pot in Rivonia Village, or keep it classic with minestrone at Pronto in Craighall Park or tomato soup and a cheese toastie at Kleinsky’s Birdhaven.
– Browse books, then linger over lunch at Olives & Plates inside Exclusive Books Hyde Park – a seriously lovely combo for when it's grey outside.
– For something sweet, Salvation Café at 44 Stanley in Milpark is known for its excellent cheesecake. On colder days, you might even catch a fire going inside.
– Bars and bowling clubs are a tried-and-tested antidote to gloomy weather. Try Pirates Club in Greenside or Jolly Roger in Parkhurst, which also serves excellent pizzas.

2. Culture, museums and indoor experiences

The city falls quiet around you at the Wits Origins Centre, a museum tracing human evolution, creativity and belief systems. Photo: Supplied.

– Spend a few hours in Braamfontein at the high-tech science and art museum, Wits Origins Centre. Nearby, the Wits Art Museum always has an exhibition worth seeing.
– For something immersive, catch an astronomy show at the state-of-the-art Wits Digital Dome (open Fridays, Saturdays and some Thursdays). The reclining seats are made for a journey through the cosmos. Book here.
– The Apartheid Museum is a powerful and enriching experience. Give yourself at least two hours to take it in properly.
– Step into another era at the Lindfield Victorian House Museum in Auckland Park – a delightfully eccentric, lived-in time capsule led by Katherine Love.

3. Movies, markets and browsing

Time is your friend at Record Mad, Linden – browse the vinyl racks on a rainy day. Photo: Record Mad via Instagram.

– Hunt for handmade treasures at the Rosebank Sunday Market (held on the rooftop of Rosebank Mall) or browse the nearby Rosebank Art and Craft Market.
– If you’re feeling creative, lose track of time at Artsavingsclub in Linden – a trove of art supplies and inspiration.
– Rainy days are made for movies. Catch something offbeat at The Bioscope indie cinema at 44 Stanley in Milpark, or check listings at Nu Metro Cinemas and Ster-Kinekor for mainstream releases at Joburg's many malls.
– We especially love the movies at Montecasino, where the faux-Italian streets make you forget you’re in the city. A little cheesy, but worth experiencing.
– Hop, skip and jump for vintage finds. Junkie Charity Store, Record Mad for great vinyls, and Books Galore for secondhand reads are all along the same stretch of road in Linden. For more ideas: our guide to Joburg's best book stores and coffee shops.

4. Playtime and indoor adventures for kids and adults

The weather doesn't matter inside The Museum of Illusions, a fun experience that'll challenge your perception.
Photo: Supplied.

– Score with R30 bowling or R40 crazy pool at 60s-themed Xtreme Entertainment in Bramley. A real jol.
– Get your adrenaline fix at an indoor climbing gym. Try CityROCK in Randburg or Friends and Allies in Strydompark.
– For something playful, visit the Museum of Illusions for mind-bending fun or head to The Fun Company (great for kids) or Cracker Zac’s (21+) for arcade games, all at The Zone @ Rosebank.
– Glide across the ice at the Northgate Ice Rink – nostalgic and surprisingly fun at any age.
– Book a squash court at Old Edwardian Society in Lower Houghton and work up a sweat while the rain comes down outside.
– Bounce it out at Bounce Inc, a high-energy indoor playground the kids will love. There are branches around the city.

5. Slow down and reset

Inside Kim Sacks Gallery is a wonderful place to be when it's cloudy outside. Photo: Johannesburg In Your Pocket.

– Wander the beautiful Kim Sacks Gallery in Parkwood, a showcase of handmade local ceramics, baskets, textiles, and more.
– Pair art with tea at 223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub, where Cup Classique serves small-batch blends at their Joburg flagship.
– Treat yourself to some pampering at Astro Spa in Craighall Park with saunas and steam rooms to warm you up (and ice baths to cool you down).

6. On the retail trail

Rain or not, the characterful 44 Stanley precinct is full of shops to explore and cosy eateries. Photo: @victoriapilcher.photography.

– Joburg loves to shop. If you're in the mood, visit the sprawling Sandton City or the colossal Mall of Africa in Midrand, or lean into luxury and more unusual finds at the smaller Hyde Park Corner.
– If it's just a drizzle, keep your brolley in tow and explore the boutique 44 Stanley precinct with its interlinking courtyards.
– The bright colours of Cyrildene Chinatown really pop when it's raining. Visit the multi-storey C.J. Supermarket for authentic ingredients, fresh produce, cute snacks and all manner of surprises.