Ponte City & Hillbrow Tour: Johannesburg's Tallest Building

Ponte City rose 54 stories as a symbol of wealth, then became a cautionary tale: now it's being remade.

A guided tour of Ponte City, Johannesburg's tallest residential building, takes you inside the 54-story cylindrical tower for its history and a drink on the 51st floor, then walks you through the Hillbrow neighborhood. A live English-speaking guide leads the experience, which runs three times daily and includes transport, lunch (on the Hillbrow option) and entry to both sites.

Options for this experience

2 options

From US$ 62 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Ponte city Experience 09:00, 11:00 and 15:00 Guide in English Length: 3 hours. Transport: includes pickup and drop-off.

Ponte Tower and Hillbrow Tour 11:00, 13:30 and 14:00 Guide in English Entry to the Ponte City building. Length: 3 hours. Lunch included. Full tour. Pickup included, by van.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ponte City and Hillbrow

• Meet at community centre
• Learn Ponte City history
• Enjoy drink on 51st floor
• View Hillbrow Tower
• See Windybrow housing context

What’s included

• Private transportation between all stops.
• bottled water.
• entry to Ponte City.
• a drink on the 51st floor.
• lunch on the Hillbrow walking tour.
• gratuities.

Times

• Every day 09:00 11:00 13:30 14:00 15:00

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Before you book

Group Up to 20

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. You can choose from 22 pickup points.

Ages Adult (18 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years): free · Infant (under 2): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Wheelchair accessible Stroller-friendly Pets welcome Public transport nearby

Operated by Honest Travel Experience

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

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Traveler reviews

5.00 ★★★★★ Exceptional 17 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

The tour starts at a community center where your guide introduces the building's chronological arc: the early opulence of the 1970s, the government policies that reshaped the city, the years of urban decay, and the ongoing transformation that has brought Ponte back to life. You'll move through the building itself, absorbing the stories layered into its concrete and glass, then ride to the 51st floor for a drink with a view across Johannesburg. The Hillbrow Tower and the Windybrow (a housing complex from the apartheid era) provide context for how the neighborhood has changed and what it means today.

After the building, the walking tour takes you into Hillbrow itself, where the guide unpacks the district's role in the city's history and its present character. Lunch is included on this leg of the tour. The whole experience runs three hours, with private transport handling the logistics between stops so you focus on what the guide is telling you.

Two options let you choose your focus: the Ponte City Experience if you want the building and its views as the centerpiece, or the Hillbrow Tour + Ponte Tower if you want equal time in both the landmark and the neighborhood. Either way, the guide speaks English and everything (transport, water, entry fees, and the meal) is arranged.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years): free; Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Ponte City and why is its history so dramatic?

Ponte City is a 54-story cylindrical residential tower that opened in the 1970s as a symbol of wealth and glamour, then fell into severe urban decay before being revitalized in recent years. The building's rise, fall, and comeback mirrors major shifts in Johannesburg's economy and society, which the guide walks you through chronologically during the tour.

Do I get to go all the way to the top of Ponte City?

You ride to the 51st floor, where you'll have a drink and take in views across Johannesburg from inside the building. The tour focuses on the building's history and what those views reveal about the city rather than reaching the absolute peak.

What happens during the Hillbrow part of the tour?

After Ponte City, you walk through Hillbrow with your guide, who provides context about the neighborhood's past during apartheid and its role in Johannesburg today. The Windybrow, a housing complex from that era, is a key stop. Lunch is included on this walking portion.

How do I get to the tour, and is transport included?

Private transportation is included, so you'll be picked up and driven between the community center where the tour begins, Ponte City, and Hillbrow. The guide meets you at the starting point and handles all the logistics.

Can I do just the Ponte City building, or do I have to do both?

You can choose the Ponte City Experience if you want to focus on the building and its views, or the Hillbrow Tour + Ponte Tower if you want to explore both the landmark and the neighborhood. Either option runs about three hours.