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South African port city
Photo: Martinvl, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Port Elizabeth (PE), officially Gqeberha since 2021 (though this name is rarely used), is South Africa's fifth largest city. It is on the Indian Ocean coast half-way between Cape Town and Durban, in the Eastern Cape, about 260 km from Knysna. It lives up to its reputation as the friendly city and the windy city.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
In memory of Rufane Donkin and his wife Elizabeth, after whom the city is named. The lighthouse built in 1861 is open to the public. PE tourism has their office here
The largest coastal dune field in the southern hemisphere is located just outside PE at the villages of Colchester and Cannonville.
See Town Hall, Feather Market Hall, the Old Post Office, Fort Frederick, Donkin Reserve, Settlers Park, and the Horse Memorial in one tour.
Catholic cathedral, completed in 1866.
One of three branches of the SAAF Museum, with the others being located at Cape Town and Pretoria. The Gqeberha branch is fairly small.
Has a museum, oceanarium and snake park. It no longer offers dolphin performances.
A selection of South African art, especially from the Eastern Cape.
Dating back to 1827, it is the oldest Settler cottage in PE.
The South End Museum offers glimpses of the lost past. From its walk-on map, to historical photographs and displays of the life and times of the people of South End, the museum provides a living memorial to the victims forcibly removed by the infamous Group Areas Act.
South Africa's oldest Test ground, first hosting a Test match in 1889. With a capacity of 19,000, it's distinctive for its lively brass band in the crowds.
Offers a selection of birds and wildlife to view including cheetahs and servals. Braai and picnic places available.
Hobie, Humewood, Kings and Wells Estate Beach are the main swimming beaches. Humewood, Wells, Kings and Hobie have all been awarded Blue Flag status.
Have a meal and go sailing
A 100-km narrow-gauge classic steam trip with a stop on the Van Stadens River Bridge.
You can either sleep in the camp or take self drives during the day. White rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and others. Excellent value small park.
Whale watching, Penguin Island cruises and fishing charters.
Climbs, walks and a rock climbing school.
There are a number of hiking trail, and walks in and around the city: Maitland Nature Reserve, Aloe Hiking Trail and more.
View the southern skies.
9-km circular trail.
The Maitland dune mountain is one of the largest in the country and perfect for sand boarding.
The Pipe at Pollok Beach is where you want to go for surfing.
The Walmer Township is one of the only areas in South Africa that avoided forced removals Tours leave every hour on the hour Monday to Friday. If you contact them before visiting, they will include a Xhosa Culture presentation. You will also be able to view a children's project, and locals will be available to take you into the township to see shacks and local life first hand.
Day guests can experience the day safaris, which are conducted all year round. Each package is tailored to the needs and wants of the individual group, but individual safari times will depend on the season. Visitors can look forward to seeing cheetahs, rhinos, elephants, hippos, lions, buffaloes, white lions, leopards and a host of other exciting animals.
One of the oldest dive schools in South Africa. PADI courses, own training center with indoor pool.
Well priced and has an excellent view of the ocean.
Indulge yourself in succulent prawns, calamari, fish & chips and curries.
Fantastic pizza, and has a very pleasant atmosphere.
Seafood restaurant with classy and elegant decor; serves good sushi and other seafood meals.
Just off Cape Road, it is one of the classier restaurants in Port Elizabeth.
Located in the harbour. The seafood is particularly tasty. Very popular - if you want to get a table you must make a reservation.
Tea, coffee, light meals and fantastic pastries and cakes in a great location looking out over the sea.
The atmosphere is friendly, airy and chic and the food a combination of the finest, fresh ingredients with an Eastern Cape influence.
Port Elizabeth's most exclusive sushi restaurant, this place is trendy, intimate and friendly. Located in the upmarket, historic area of Richmond Hill and very centrally located.
A very trendy pizza restaurant ideally located on the beachfront.
Does a splendid Seafood Extravaganza.
Lively pub. It overlooks Algoa Bay and is a stone's throw away from the water's edge. The pub has a great balcony, with good draughts and food. A local favorite, many Johannesburg travellers' first stop is at this watering hole to catch up with friends. Live music is available most weekend nights.
For African Jazz
Tour the beer brewery and have a couple of pints at the Bay and Barrel afterwards.
It is at the Boardwalk and is always lively and full. They serve good food, and it is a nice place to catch a drink.
This is an excellent place for Indian food. The ambiance is nice, and the staff is extremely friendly. It is a great idea to catch a dinner at Rasoi when in PE.
Port Elizabeth's most exclusive nightspot - definitely not to be missed!
Cool little backpackers with friendly staff. The staff can arrange safari trips to Addo and Schotia Safari Parks for around R1000 (this is R200 more expensive than doing it yourself, but it does include travel to and from the parks, which are approx 30 miles away.
Offers private single and double rooms, dorms and a pool.
Dorms R120.
6 to 8 beds per dorm.
8 bed dorms.
6 bed dorm.
In the upmarket seaside suburb of Summerstrand - 200 m from the beach and in close proximity to the airport, university, golf course, restaurants and casino. Tourists and business people alike enjoy a relaxing stay at Algoa Guest House. All suites are private and comfortable with a mini kitchenette and their own entrances and patios. Suites are serviced daily and have free internet access, TVs and DVD facilities.
100 m from Summerstrands Beach, near Marine Drive. It features a wonderful garden and some rooms have sea-view. ADSL is available in all rooms
Offers you self-catering accommodation in private en-suite units that sleep 2, family unit sleeping 4-5, and a 1 bedroom apartment with views sleeping max 3; 500 m from the beach, close to the Humewood Golf course and Hobbie Beach; self-contained, fully equipped and with complimentary Wi-Fi
Large sheltered swimming pool, BBQ facilities, off-street parking, laundry service. 150 m from Pollock Beach, 5 min from golf course, university, or boardwalk casino.
60 m from the beach and 400 m from the Boardwalk. 4 star.
Bishops Inn offers superior rooms and 1&2-bedroom self-catering suites opposite Kings Beach. All rooms have Wi-Fi access.
4-star accommodation. Saltwater swimming pool, 2 minutes walk from Kings Beach, off-street parking, laundry service, WiFi. Close to golf course, university and boardwalk casino.
On the northern end of the Donkin Reserve. May have seen better times but still offers Edwardian style and wonderful views over the Donkin Reserve to the Ocean.
Close to King's Beach. The hotel is a short walk away from Bayworld Aquarium.
Luxury tents, thatched chalets, log cabins and thatched lodges. Book for two nights or more and get a free game drive
3 star log cabins in the Cape Recife Nature Reserve
Build in 1935.
Free transfers to and from the airport
The four-star hotel offers homely comfort in its 58 spacious, en-suite bedrooms with all modern amenities, a stunning pool deck and three superb restaurants.
Luxury five-star hotel in the classic country house tradition. Imagine a bygone era of colonial charm, good conversation and the fine dining.
Traditional Xhosa dolls
Browse African art
Offers several shops, arcade, movie theater, fast-food restaurants, hotel and a casino.
An excellent place to spend a Saturday at around noon. There are many, many shops and plenty of restaurants. There is a lively vibe over the weekend, and the mall can be reached easily. It is also commonly referred to as "The Bridge", because it is joined to the mall of that name.
A nice place to eat at, and there are a few nice shops.
Port Elizabeth's largest mall, with some high-end retails brands that are not found at the other centres. A little further out than the other shopping centres, but trading times are longer. There are arcades, movie theatres, extensive food court with a big screen TV, and an ice rink.
By train
MetroRail operates frequent commuter trains to Uitenhage and the surrounding suburbs during weekdays, with a reduced service over weekends.
By car
Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth is easily accessible by motorways from Cape Town (790 km) via the Garden Route, Bloemfontein and East London (310 km). Of course, you can also drive from Johannesburg.
By bus
All major South African coach companies offer regular schedules to Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth. The city is also on the Baz Bus route.
Public bus
There is a public bus transport system within the city. You wait no longer than 15 minutes to get a bus. Use the Algoa Journey Planner to find your bus.
By taxi
The main form of transportation for most people is the (minibus) taxi.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) · International · PLZ
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