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Carlton Centre
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Carlton Centre

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Carlton Centre
3
About
At fifty stories tall and four blocks long, this mixed-use urban landmark is the city’s largest commerce center.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
343 within 5 kms
La Parada Rosebank
20
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Spanish
Chunky Chau
8
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Sushi • Asian • Korean
Nando's Ghandi Square
22
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Fast food • European • Grill
Fishaways
4
45 m
The Blockman Parkhurst
8
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Barbecue • Grill
Falcon Peak Spur Steak Ranch
12
72 m$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Fast food • Barbecue
Tiger's Milk Kwena Square
3
0.3 km$ • Bar • International • Pub
Bootlegger Coffee Company (norwood)
6
0.3 km$$ - $$$
Liberté Restaurant
3
0.3 kmFrench
Lorians Cheeses
2
0.3 kmSpeciality Food Market • Swiss • European • Street Food
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Attractions
158 within 10 kms
Top of Africa
445
83 mObservation Decks & Towers
Absa Money Museum
6
0.3 kmSpeciality Museums
Montecasino Bird Gardens
4
0.3 kmNature & Wildlife Areas
James and Ethel Gray Park
40
0.5 kmParks
Gandhi Square
22
0.4 kmHistoric Walking Areas
Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct
1,600
1.8 kmHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Maboneng Precinct
586
1.3 kmNeighbourhoods
The Playground
336
1.7 kmFlea & Street Markets
Victoria Yards
364
2.8 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Gardens
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
239
1.4 kmScience Museums
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.0
316 reviews
Excellent
37
Very good
75
Average
122
Poor
50
Terrible
32
lewy11
United Kingdom94 contributions
Do NOT visit here. Especially not knowing the uber ban. Not safe at all. Went to visit the tower of africa
May 2022 • Solo
Really not safe. Came to visit the tower and walked around the mall. Was followed and almost grabbed out an uber. Turns out ubers not safe here due to the local taxi drivers kicking off. Also non white shop owners was pestering. Unless in a huge group with a guide do not come here. Was amazing views at the top though
Written April 9, 2023
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.
Nonhlanhla
Johannesburg, South Africa1 contribution
Closed since Covid
Oct. 2022 • Family
Well I didn't get to experience it because it was closed. I just don't get why they don't update in their website that they are currently closed until further notice.
Written October 16, 2022
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.
Pierrejoburgambassador
Randburg, South Africa190 contributions
Experience the authentic busy Johannesburg
Sep. 2019 • Solo
The Carlton Centre shopping arcade still has an unchanged 1980's look and feel, so you will get a nice glimpse of what malls looked like in South Africa back then. This place is never quiet, hundreds of people everywhere commuting. Make sure you go up with the elevator to the top floor of the Carlton Centre and get a truly spectacular view of the city skyline. Until very, very recently, Carlton Centre was still the tallest building in Africa, until The Leonardo was completed which is situated in Sandton, Johannesburg, not in the city centre.
Written August 9, 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.
Chris P
Shanghai, China4,925 contributions
Old, but good views
Feb. 2020 • Solo
While on the Red Bus tour, we stopped here to go to the top to see the views. We were escorted from the bus all the way, which helped with safety. The place is old and a bit run down, but the views were great. Windows a bit dirty and the viewing floor echo-ey.
Written April 29, 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.
Salty Dog
1 contribution
Commanding view of Johannesburg
Feb. 2020
Situated in a lively area of Johannesburg, which not has been gentrified yet, you have to ask and find your way thru the shopping mall to the elevator taking you to "Top of Afrika". Up there you find yourself beamed back to the late 70ies and are offered a 360degree view around town. Possibly up to Pretoria/Tshwane. Unfortunately, Soweto hides one of those vast mine dumps.
You pay ZAR 30 admission. There used to be a Café up there, now deserted.
To a European visitor, it looks rather run down.
Worth while visiting once
Written February 7, 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.
ARUNESH SHUKLA
Luanda, Angola57 contributions
View from TOP OF AFRICA
Dec. 2019
A beautiful all directional view of Johannesburg from Top of Africa was a lovely experience . Price of per person entry was 40 Rand which I think worth for maintenance purpose as separate lift has been provided for easiness of tourists .No of visitors was very less . when we visited more or less 10 visitors was entered in 30 minutes of span. I doubt this building claim 2nd tallest building in Africa ( not south africa ) as much taller buildings are available in Africa than this . Overall do not miss speculative view of Johannesburg from TOP OF Africa and search your point of stay from top and major land marks .
Written January 1, 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.
Zad
18 contributions
Worst, Dumbest Decision I ever made
Oct. 2019 • Solo
Not safe,scary,dirty,extremely sketchy neighborhood. I’m notorious for reading reviews before I even visit a place but my stupidity kicked in and I didn’t read about this place. All I did was looked at a picture of a high tower with viewing deck and I thought “looks like a fun way to see all of Joburg”.
I Ubered by myself (so dumb),got inside the building and quickly turned around and left. I was followed, stared at and checked out by many as I quickly ducked inside a “descent “ looking store.
Do not waste your time please. Not safe at all.
Written October 20, 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.
Rodney Jones
1 contribution
Great view of Jhannesburg
Aug. 2019
A trip to the 'Top of Africa' at the top of the Carlton Centre provides a great overview of the layout of Johannesburg. You can clearly see the layout of the gold mines from east to west, and there is a good view of Sandton to the north, and Soccer City near Soweto to the south. Entry fee is R30 per adult, and if you get your parking ticket stamped, parking is free in the Kruis Street basement parking garage.
Written August 8, 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.
travelleruk
Derbyshire554 contributions
Tallest Building in Africa
Sep. 2018
We stopped here whilst on the Red Bus tour. There was a group of us and we were taken to the entrance by a guide from the bus. At the time I wasn't too bothered but looking back it was quite a nerve wracking experience.
We got the lift up and walked around the top of the building to check out the views.
The views were vast which was great but my other half just wanted to leave.
We got the lift down and luckily our guide was there to meet us and get us back on the next bus.
Written August 7, 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.
Sachin K
New York City, NY5,857 contributions
The tallest building in Africa
Sep. 2018 • Family
Carlton Center is the tallest building in Africa which has 50 floors. Watching the building from street level is one thing and going to the top of the 50th floor to see the surrounding views is another. Certainly would recommend going to the top to get the best of the surrounding views and a better understanding of the geography of the entire region.
Written August 1, 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.
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CARLTON CENTRE - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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