Lion prides, gold-rush history and a skyline that turns pink at sunset, all for €477 return. Ethiopian is flying Madrid to Johannesburg with one stop, and this is one of the cheapest fares out of Spain to southern Africa this year.
✈️ The Deal
- From: Madrid
- To: Johannesburg
- Airline: Ethiopian
- Stops: 1 stop
- Price: €477–€499 return
- When: August–September 2026
Example dates:
24/08/2026 - 21/09/2026
01/09/2026 - 14/09/2026
03/09/2026 - 21/09/2026
💰 How far does your money go?
A local beer in Joburg runs around R53, about the same as a caña back in Madrid. A kota, the hollowed-out bread loaf stuffed with fillings that Soweto street vendors have perfected, costs around €3. And a proper sit-down dinner in Rosebank comes in at roughly €12, not far off a menú del día at home, except here it comes with grilled boerewors instead of merluza.
☀️ The Weather
September in Johannesburg sits at the edge of spring, with highs around 26°C and cool nights near 9°C. Expect long sunny days, over 11 hours of light, and only the odd shower as the rainy season starts to build.
🏨 Where to Stay
Options for every budget, all within easy reach of the city's main sights.
Once in Joburg — 8.4/10 · From €25/night A colourful hostel in the Maboneng arts district, ideal for travellers who want street art and nightlife on the doorstep.
Radisson Blu Sandton — 8.7/10 · From €90/night Solid mid-range base in Sandton, Joburg's business hub, with easy access to the Gautrain for day trips across the city.
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff — 9.3/10 · From €310/night Terraced suites overlooking the city from Westcliff Ridge, with a spa and views that make the price forgivable.
🎯 What to Do
A city built on gold, with more layers than most visitors expect.
Apartheid Museum — One of the most powerful museums in Africa, tracing the country's history through photographs, film and personal testimony.
Soweto and Nelson Mandela House — Walk or cycle through the township where Mandela lived, past Vilakazi Street and its street food stalls.
Gold Reef City — A theme park built on a real 19th-century gold mine, with rides above ground and tours below it.
44 Stanley — A cluster of 1930s industrial buildings turned into boutiques, galleries and cafés, the best spot for a slow afternoon.
🗺️ Where to Go From Here
Johannesburg is less a final stop than the gateway to the rest of southern Africa.
Kruger National Park — South Africa's flagship safari reserve, a short domestic flight to Skukuza or a drive from the city. Search flights
Cape Town — Table Mountain, the Winelands and the Atlantic coast, around two hours away by air. Search flights
Sun City and Pilanesberg — A malaria-free game reserve and resort complex, about two and a half hours by road.
Victoria Falls — One of the world's largest waterfalls, straddling Zambia and Zimbabwe, a short flight north. Search flights
Fares like this out of Madrid to southern Africa don't sit around for long. Check the dates and lock it in.
Get every flight deal we find, on your favourite app.
Pick how you want to hear from us — or all three. Free, no spam.
