Nelson Mandela Bay
Gqeberha
The largest city in the Eastern Cape, wrapped around Algoa Bay, with warm-water beaches on one side and the Addo game country an hour inland.
Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) forms the Nelson Mandela Bay metro together with Kariega and Despatch. It is the province's main port and its busiest arrival point, with an airport, the N2 running through it and a long beachfront along Algoa Bay.
The bay itself is sheltered and swimmable for most of the year, and the coastline north and south of the city runs into nature reserves and dune fields. Inland, the Sundays River Valley leads to Addo Elephant National Park.
Why people come to Gqeberha
- Algoa Bay beachfront and swimming beaches
- Addo Elephant National Park roughly an hour away
- Historic city centre and Donkin heritage sites
- Whale and dolphin watching in the bay in season
Things to do in Gqeberha
Where to eat in Gqeberha
Restaurant
Something Good Roadhouse
Gqeberha
A long-standing beachfront restaurant on Marine Drive with a big deck facing the sea, popular for breakfast and for watching the surf at Pollok Beach.
View detailsFine dining
Ginger Restaurant
Gqeberha
An established fine-dining kitchen in Summerstrand, generally regarded as one of the city's serious dinner bookings.
View detailsWhere to stay in Gqeberha
Hotel
The Beach Hotel
Gqeberha
A Summerstrand hotel directly opposite Hobie Beach and next to The Boardwalk, within walking distance of the swimming beaches and the promenade.
View detailsHotel
Radisson Blu Hotel, Port Elizabeth
Gqeberha
A large seafront hotel on Marine Drive in Summerstrand, used mainly by business travellers and by visitors flying in and out of the city.
View detailsCulture & heritage in Gqeberha
Museum & oceanarium
Bayworld
Gqeberha
Gqeberha's combined natural history museum and marine centre on Beach Road, covering Algoa Bay's sea life, the region's fossils and Eastern Cape social history under one roof.
View detailsPublic art trail
Route 67
Gqeberha
A walking trail of 67 public artworks climbing from the Campanile at the harbour up through the old town to the Donkin Reserve, each piece marking a year of Nelson Mandela's public life.
View detailsHeritage site
Donkin Reserve
Gqeberha
The hilltop park above the city centre with the 1820s lighthouse and stone pyramid raised by Sir Rufane Donkin in memory of his wife Elizabeth, after whom the city was originally named.
View details