You can walk through Braamfontein hundreds of times without knowing whose work you are passing on the walls.

A two-hour walking tour offers a different way to see the neighbourhood, using its street art and graffiti as a starting point for exploring the culture around it.

Run by City Skate Tours, the Braamfontein Street Art & Culture Tour covers around 1.5 to 2km, with stops at murals, graffiti pieces and cultural spaces along the way.

The walls have some big names

This isn't simply a walk past colourful murals.

The route includes work by South African and international street artists, including Falko One from South Africa, Shepard Fairey's OBEY from the US, and Swiss artist Malik.

The guides also explain the difference between street art and graffiti and introduce visitors to the tags, styles and visual language that can easily go unnoticed when you are simply passing through the area.

On some City Skate Tours experiences, a local graffiti artist may even join the tour, depending on availability.

Braamfontein is part of the story

The art is only one part of the walk.

The tour also explores the neighbourhood's fashion, architecture, local brands, youth culture, entertainment and art spaces, providing some context for why Braamfontein has become such a visible part of Johannesburg's contemporary street culture.

A bit of old Joburg is also mixed into all that contemporary culture.

Thursday and Saturday tours can finish with a visit to Kitcheners Carvery Bar, which dates back to 1902.

Before You Go

• Where: Braamfontein, Johannesburg
• Duration: 2 hours
• Distance: approximately 1.5 to 2km
• Price: R550 per person
• Tuesday and Thursday: 14:00 to 16:00
• Saturday: 11:00 to 13:00
• Meeting point: Skinner Cafe, corner of Juta and De Beer streets
• Booking: Advance booking is recommended, although walk-ins may be accepted when space is available
• Children: Allowed on walking tours when accompanied by an adult

The operator is currently also advertising the code BRAAMHEAT for 20% off the Braamfontein tour. Because promotions can change, check that it is still available when booking.

The Bottom Line

Braamfontein's street art is easy to photograph. Understanding what you are looking at is a little harder.

For R550 and two hours on foot, this tour offers a chance to discover the artists, stories and street culture behind walls many of us would otherwise simply walk past.