Soweto is a township of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng, bordering the city's mining belt in the south. It began as a group of townships laid out to the south-west of Johannesburg, separated from the white suburbs by a cordon sanitaire that was usually a river, railway track, industrial area or highway, and it was incorporated into the City of Johannesburg in 2002.
For a visitor, Soweto is not one uniform place but a collection of named districts, each with its own character and its own relationship to the sights. This guide covers which of those areas make sense as a base, and what each one is like to stay in. It does not name hotels, hostels or guesthouses; it describes areas only.
Best areas to stay in Soweto
1. Orlando West
Orlando West sits in the historic core of Soweto, in the Orlando area whose first houses were built from the latter half of 1930. It is the part of the township most closely tied to the events that made Soweto known internationally, and it is where several of the guesthouses listed for Soweto are located, on streets such as Inhlwathi St, Bacela St and Mampuru St.
This suits first-time visitors who want to be close to the township's history and to the main points of interest rather than commuting in from Johannesburg. It also suits travellers who prefer a residential setting with guesthouse-style accommodation over a commercial strip. As with anywhere in Soweto, plan how you will get to and from the sights, since the township is large and spread out.
2. Dube
Dube is a separate district within Soweto, and it appears in the accommodation listings for the township, with a guest house on Monyane St. It is a quieter, more residential base than the Orlando area.
It suits visitors who want a calmer place to return to at the end of a day of sightseeing, and those travelling with a car who are comfortable moving between districts. Because the sights are concentrated in other parts of Soweto, treat Dube as a base you travel out from rather than a place you walk to everything from.
3. Diepkloof
Diepkloof lies on the land that, together with Klipspruit, was to form the future Soweto. It is named in the accommodation listings for the township, with a guesthouse on Diepkloof Ext.
It suits travellers who want a straightforward base within Soweto and are not set on staying in the historic core. As with the other districts, the practical question is how you will reach the sights, so sort out transport before you book.
4. Kliptown and Pimville
Kliptown is the oldest Black residential district of Johannesburg, first laid out in 1891 on land that formed part of Klipspruit farm, and Pimville grew next to it, on the farm Klipspruit, after residents were moved there from the Brickfields area. The two are neighbours in the south-western part of Soweto.
This area suits visitors with a specific interest in the earliest history of Black settlement in Johannesburg, and those who want to understand how Soweto came to be laid out. It is a residential area rather than a tourist strip, so come prepared to arrange your own transport and to travel to the better-known sights elsewhere in the township.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: In Soweto the accommodation listed is guesthouse and bed-and-breakfast style, which is generally the most affordable way to stay in the township. Expect a room in a private house or small guesthouse in a residential district, with the host on site.
- Mid-range: Larger guesthouses and bed-and-breakfasts in the better-known districts, such as Orlando West and Dube, fall into this bracket. You are paying for a more established address and, often, a more convenient position relative to the sights.
- Splurge: Soweto does not offer the hotel-style top end you find in central Johannesburg. If you want full-service hotel accommodation, you would base yourself in Johannesburg and visit Soweto, rather than staying in the township.
Best area for a first visit
Orlando West is the best base for a first visit. It sits in the historic heart of Soweto, in the Orlando area where the township's first municipal houses were built, and it is where much of the accommodation in Soweto is concentrated. Staying here puts you closest to the history you have come to see, with the other districts a short trip away.
Frequently asked questions
Is Soweto part of Johannesburg?
Yes. Soweto is a township of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng, and one of the suburbs of Johannesburg. It was formerly a separate municipality and was incorporated into the City of Johannesburg in 2002.
What kinds of places can I stay in in Soweto?
The accommodation listed for Soweto is guesthouse and bed-and-breakfast style, in residential districts such as Orlando West, Dube and Diepkloof. There is no hotel-style accommodation named for the township itself.
Which areas of Soweto have accommodation?
The areas named in the accommodation listings are Orlando West, Dube and Diepkloof. Kliptown and Pimville are the oldest districts of Soweto but are not named as places to stay.
Do I need a car to stay in Soweto?
Soweto is a large township made up of separate districts, and it was historically separated from Johannesburg by a cordon sanitaire of river, railway, industrial area or highway. The districts are spread out, so plan your transport between your base and the sights before you book.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page.