Jan
10
A trip to Port Elizabeth
Founded in the 1820s by the British, Port Elizabeth boasts great weather and sandy beaches. Nowadays, it is a major seaport and seaside vacation destination. Located on the shores of Algoa Bay, the city is commonly known as ‘PE’. Served by Port Elizabeth Airport, the city is gearing up to be one of the host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Flights to Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth Airport doesn’t have any direct international connections at present. However, with the 2010 FIFA World Cup just around the corner, the runway at the airport is being extended to be able to accommodate larger aircraft. In the meantime, Port Elizabeth can be reached via air connections from the international airports at Cape Town and Johannesburg. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Port Elizabeth try Expedia.
There is public transportation in the form of buses from the airport to the city centre, but these buses are unreliable. There are minibus taxis, but these should not be taken alone, for safety reasons. Metered taxis are also available, but can be expensive. The best option is to hire a car to get to and from the airport, as well as for exploring the outlying areas around Port Elizabeth.
Port Elizabeth South Africa
Sightseeing in Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth is a major tourist hub, located right on the coast. Many people come to simply enjoy the sun and surf, while others are attracted to Port Elizabeth to explore the so-called Donkin Heritage Trail. This trail guides visitors to numerous historic monuments through the Donkin Reserve Park and Fort Frederick, following the footsteps of the first settlers who arrived in 1820.
Parks are a main daytime attraction of this city and two of the larger ones are: Settler’s Park in the city centre and St Georges Park, which is home to the famous Port Elizabeth Cricket Club. The parks are a great way to experience the different flora and fauna of South Africa.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
There is an abundance of good restaurants and bars in Port Elizabeth. The vibrant oceanfront area is full of outdoor places for dining and drinking; head to the Boardwalk for a vast range of eateries, shopping and activities. Brooke’s Pavilion is also a favourite. Located right on the sea front, it has great views of the ocean. There are plenty of restaurants here offering exotic local fare, western food and seafood.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Daytime activities are centred on the beach and ocean. There are plenty of water sports, including yachting, windsurfing and snorkelling, to be had. The calm waters here are excellent for scuba diving and learning to sail or windsurf.
There are three shopping malls to choose from, if you want to get away from the sun and sand. The Boardwalk is a favourite, with its many fast-food restaurants and shops, as well as a casino. The Greenacres Shopping Centre is the local favourite, while the Walmer Park Shopping Centre has many nice restaurants and shops.
Daytrips
Port Elizabeth is superbly located for outings out of the city. The Addo Elephant National Park can be easily accessed by public or by private transport. Home to the ‘big seven’, lucky visitors can expect to catch a glance of wild dogs and a wide variety of splendid birds.
The nearby Port Elizabeth Township shows visitors a glimpse of the real South Africa, with guided tours, historical sites of interest and a fascinating history that lay at the centre of the historic struggle for freedom at the end of the apartheid years.
Must-see attractions
The most popular attraction in Port Elizabeth is by far the Bayworld complex, which includes a great oceanarium, a snake park, a museum and is beautifully situated on the waterfront. Visitors can watch bottlenose dolphins perform as well as spot a huge variety of snakes and other reptiles in the snake park.
A popular way to explore the city is to stroll around the Market Square in the centre of the city. Dominating the area is the majestic City Hall, dating back to the mid-19th century. Other buildings of interest include the Prester John Memorial, the Victorian-Gothic Public Library and the Campanile, which visitors can ascend to enjoy panoramic views of the city.
Many visitors to Port Elizabeth enjoy snorkelling or diving at one of the nearby fantastic locations. Boat trips can be organised to Riy Bank Reef, which is teeming with marine life as well as sharks. Novices will enjoy the fabulous St Croix Island Scuba Trails, which are home to a vast number of fish and marine species.
Best time to go
Enjoying fewer rainy days and more hours of sunshine than any other of South Africa’s coastal cities, Port Elizabeth can be enjoyed as a holiday destination year-round. The moderate climate experiences temperatures averaging at 17°C in the winter, reaching around 23°C in the summer months.
The winter months are a fantastic time to surf in the world famous Jeffrey’s Bay while families will enjoy the annual Splash Festival, which usually takes place around Easter weekend.
Rainy day suggestions
Although most visitors to Port Elizabeth are unlikely to encounter many rainy days, there are a number of museums that are worth visiting. Exhibiting South African art, Oriental art and European art, the King George VI Art Gallery makes for an excellent visit for art lovers.
Depicting middle class family life in the 19th century, the No 7 Castle Hill Museum is also an interesting attraction. Other recommended but specialist museums include the South African Air Force Museum and the St Croix Motor Museum.
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