EXPERIENCE PORT ELIZABETH
Overview
The port city of Port Elizabeth was established in 1820 as a British settlement around Fort Frederick, which was built in 1799 and is the oldest British building in southern Africa, it was incorporated as a town in 1861. The city was named by Sir Rufane Donkin who was the acting governor of the Cape Colony, for his deceased wife, Lady Elizabeth. It officially became a city in 1913 after the completion of the Kimberley Railroad in 1873 which sparked the development of the port
Port Elizabeth or P.E. now renamed Gqeberha in 2021 is also known as the “Friendly City”, “The 10-minute City”, and the “Windy City”. It is a seaside city with an artsy feel with world-class beaches, the Big 5 of the animal kingdom, boat cruises, fascinating museums, and an oceanarium. P.E. is the most populous city in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa and is the seat of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, which is South Africa’s second smallest metropolitan municipality by area.
This city is an outdoor lover’s dream and is home to scenic beaches and wildlife reserves, a beautiful coastal city, the 5th largest city in the country with cultural and historical landmarks, and is considered an important economic center in the region. There are a plethora of attractions found in Port Elizabeth including historical landmarks, and stunning natural wonders. This breathtaking stretch of coastline runs for just under 25 miles along Algoa Bay, a region of Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape.
PE is a vibrant, artsy city with spectacular, scenic beauty, cultural richness, and a dynamic urban environment. It is a popular port, making cruises popular here, and a high chance of spotting marine life such as dolphins, whales, and African penguins throughout the year. The city is nestled on the Indian Ocean coast halfway between Cape Town and Durban at the end of the picturesque Garden Route along the Cape Coast.
Things to see and do
Port Elizabeth is the finish line for South Africa’s Garden Route, they complement each other perfectly. When driven west to east PE sits on the western end of the Sunshine Coast boasting its wide sandy beaches, warm temperatures, and beautiful shores lapped by the waves of the Indian Ocean. This is a very popular destination along the famed route and a spectacular destination for water sports.
The city is home to many historical attractions including the Historic Donkin Heritage Trail, a hilltop park that is home to a lighthouse boasting spectacular views over the city. The trail takes its visitors on a journey along the footsteps of the settlers of 1820. There is a pyramid-shaped memorial beside the lighthouse which is the memorial to Elizabeth Donkin, the city’s namesake, the wife of the governor of the Cape Colony during the 1820s. Sir Rufane Donkin erected the monument to commemorate his wife after passing away.
There are additional historical attractions linked by the Donkin Trail including the
Route 67 is a walking trail that consists of 67 public artworks created by Eastern Cape artists and one symbolizing each of the 67 years that Nelson Mandela dedicated to the country’s fight for freedom. Visitors can follow the heritage trail leading between the monuments and artworks dotting the park, this can be covered on foot on a 2-3 hour guided or self-guided tour. These artworks are a celebration of South African culture and history, they are scattered throughout the route beginning at Campanile, up the stairs to the Vuysile Mini Market Square, and then to the large South African flag at the Donkin Reserve.
Port Elizabeth sits on the beautiful Algoa Bay and is reputed as the Bottlenose dolphin capital of the world, as it is home to 20,000 bottlenose dolphins. Guided boat trips to see these smart, inquisitive mammals are offered from the city’s port for close-up views of these playful pods
This beautiful bay also provides a home for the largest breeding colony of African penguins in the world, they cluster along the shoreline. From August to December there may also be orca, and southern right, Bryde’s, minke, and humpback whales breaching the waves.
The sparkling 25-mile stretch of coastline in Port Elizabeth ensures holiday-goers are never far from the beach. The sheltered bays and the inviting warm Indian Ocean make ideal conditions for swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports. There are several spectacular beaches found in the city including the upmarket Summerstrand Beach offering a generous stretch of sand with a laid-back vibe. Kings Beach is a lively place with plenty of dining and entertainment options. On Sundays, there is a vibrant market set up along the sand selling handmade crafts, clothes, and artwork.
The Addo Elephant National Park is located in the wider surrounding area of PE and boasts some spectacular game-viewing opportunities. Visitors just head north 45 miles to the north near the Zuurberg mountain range.
There are various fascinating museums and libraries dotted around the city that document the long history and heritage of this area, as well as the entire Eastern Cape. There is a Red Location Museum and Art Gallery found in the major townships of New Brighton and Zwide. There are graves of fallen heroes in Zeide Cememtery, North End, and Papenkuil. A memorial to the men who sank with the SS Mendi was found at a traffic circle adjoining the major streets of Mendi, Ferguson, and Feya Kulati in New Brighton.
Shopping
There are a lot of shopping options to choose from when visiting Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape area. There are plenty of large shopping malls in Port Elizabeth along with small boutique shops in Richmond Hill and country-style shops in the Gamtoos Valley, when it comes to the eastern cape there is a wide range of shopping opportunities to explore. Port Elizabeth is nestled on Algoa Bay in South Africa and is one of the most popular ports in the country famous for its beaches.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting, there are bustling authentic markets to explore and some spectacular shopping centers and malls such as the Walmer Park Shopping Center. This is an exclusive shopping center ideally situated in the city offering an excellent and diverse range of retail stores, and restaurants located in the Walmer suburb with 150 retail stores and restaurants to choose from. Pier 14 is another spectacular shopping center with a sea of choices for retail and other services set in the historical heart of the city, it's a vibrant hub of fashion stores, homeware stores, and restaurants to keep you entertained for hours. Baywest Mall is jam-packed with a wide variety of retail outlets, a Fun Factory, and a Food Court. Boardwalk Mall Shopping Center is a family-centric shopping destination home to over 94 tenants and the best brands. There are also many fast food outlets, an arcade, a movie theater, a hotel, and a casino. Bay West Mall is the largest mall in Port Elizabeth boasting some high-end retailers not found at any other malls. There are arcades, movie theatres, an extensive food court with a big-screen TV, and an ice rink.
Beaches
Port Elizabeth is extremely proud of its international Blue Flag status awarded to King’s Beach, Wells Estate Beach, and Humewood Beach. There is a great selection of stunning beaches to choose from in the area with family-friendly, relaxing stretches of sand dotted along the 25-mile stretch of pristine shoreline. The wonderful tropical weather and warm temperatures draw beachgoers to PE’s beaches offering clean white sandy beaches, excellent water quality and lifesaving standards, plenty of parking, and stunning views. Explore the endless stretches of golden sands in Port Elizabeth which is part of Nelson Mandela Bay and lapped by the enticing turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, all of these combined make for the perfect beach destination.
There are six swimming beaches that stretch from Bluewater Bay towards Grahamstown, to Sardinia Bay in the west. The water temperatures on average in the bay are between 64-73 F degrees in the summer and 57-66 in teh winter. There are lifeguards on duty during teh busy summer months and the beaches here are particularly good for swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, and sailing. The most popular beaches in Port Elizabeth are Kings Beach, Pollock Beach, Humewood Beach, and Hobie Beach which are great for families. They can all be found along the main beachfront stretch which lies on the doorstep of Summerstarnd and Humewood neighborhoods.
Dining
The city of Port Elizabeth is well known for its friendly hospitality and excellent dining choices in the Eastern Cape. There are options to choose from elegant dining establishments, casual shoreline cafes, and artsy venues. The vibrant coastal city is home to a plethora of fantastic restaurants offering delectable cuisine which is a reflection of the waves of settlers that have come to the country since the 17th century. There are some amazing restaurants and other dining establishments that offer spectacular views over the beaches and the ocean in the city. These establishments also boast amazing ambiance and top-notch service, serving up new and exciting flavors to satisfy your culinary cravings.
Visitors can choose from a variety of menu items like a hearty steak, a traditional bobotie, or a rich, creamy bowl of chowder. The culinary influences found at restaurants have strong influences from British, Dutch, Green, German, and African dishes. Port Elizabeth is a hotspot for all the national and tourists alike, it is home to some of the best restaurants in the country. The exquisite cuisine in the city and its culinary delights make it the best spot for food lovers from around the globe.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Port Elizabeth is made up of several worthwhile places to visit, it's made up of a melting pot of music and dance culture. There are bustling bars, laid-back lounges and restaurants, live music venues, and more to spend a night out on the town. There are some excellent beachfront establishments to visit at night in Port Elizabeth with sensational views over Algoa Bay. There are some fantastic locations to capture a spectacular sunset with a drink in hand. There are many popular nightclubs to dance the night away. Plenty of bars and pubs to keep the drinks flowing and plenty of entertainment. There are also many speakeasy (shebeens) bars in Port Elizabeth. The city fills the evening air with sounds to suit a multitude of musical tastes and nightlife vibes.
Sports
Port Elizabeth is the “Water Sport Capital” of South Africa, there are many exciting events and activities held here throughout the year such as World IronMan, which draws in sports enthusiasts from all over the world. The epic waves of Algoa Bay attract surfers to the beautiful blue flag beaches and many surf competitions take place in PE. Nelson Mandela Bay offers an excellent variety of sporting facilities such as the state-of-the-art multipurpose Nelson Mandela Stadium home to the Super Kings Rugby team. The Port Elizabeth prestigious St Georges Cricket Stadium is home to the Warriors. The Fairview Race Course provides entertainment and excitement for both locals and tourists alike. There are many different sports clubs that host a variety of sporting events such as squash, volleyball, badminton, tennis, roller hockey, cricket, motor racing, horse racing, soccer, hockey, golf, bowling, and rugby all year round. Nelson Mandela Bay is the proud host of the Iron Man Africa event which is held here annually and attended by thousands of participants and spectators. The Ocean Racing Series is the largest family beach event in Africa which is held in Port Elizabeth as well as the African Premier Indian Ocean Swim, and the Bellbuoy 5K sea swim. The River Mile and The Herald Cycle Tour are two other popular events.
Being dubbed the “Water Sport Capital” there are a number of action-packed activities to participate in when visiting PE. Try out surf lifesaving, rubber ducking, jet-skiing, canoeing, surfing, paragliding, and power-boating which are all held on a regular basis. The neighboring coastal town of Jeffreys Bay is world renowned as the “Surf Mecca of the world", home to the best right-hand surf break in the entire world. Visit Shark Rock pier located at Hobie Beach to watch the vibrant sails of the Hobie cats and the windsurfers that skim along the pristine waters. Scuba diving is very popular in PE, the dive sites here are of world-class quality boasting beautiful vibrant reefs, spectacular shipwrecks, and an abundance of spectacular fish, and colorful soft coral. Algoa Bay is a protected bay with warm waters that provide divers with some of the most exciting and diverse range of diving sites in the entire country. Visibility can reach up to 98 feet with reefs and pinnacles that range from depths of 32-98 feet.