Port Elizabeth

Fondly known as the ‘Friendly City’, Port Elizabeth gets more hours of sunshine than any other South African city. Apart from a good climate and amiable inhabitants, Port Elizabeth offers a beautiful coastline with safe and clean beaches, historical attractions, as well as great family entertainment.

The city is situated in Algoa Bay, which receives acclaim as the country’s water sport capital. The 40km coastline of the bay attracts year-round visitors for world-class scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing and fishing. The beaches stretch along the coast southeast of the city centre, providing golden sand, safe swimming, waterslides and beautiful walking areas. PE has five beaches with Blue Flag status, the two most popular being Humewood and King’s Beach. Other popular beaches are Hobie Beach and Summerstrand.

Entertainment attractions are concentrated on the beachfront and include the Bayworld Museum Complex, comprising a museum, oceanarium and snake park. The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex of shops, restaurants and a casino is set around man-made lakes and gardens. Top ranked in South Africa, Humewood Golf Course is close to Humewood Beach.

Port Elizabeth is well placed within the Eastern Cape as a good base for travelling around the province. It’s within one hour’s drive of the great game parks, Addo Elephant Park and Shamwari Game Reserve, and serves as a springboard for exploring the Garden Route and Sunshine Coast to the south.

History

Port Elizabeth, South Africa’s second oldest city, was founded by the British in 1820. During the nineteenth century, the port city attracted British settlers moving into the interior of South Africa, and became a hub for the wool, mohair and ostrich feather industries until the gold rush in 1896.

Architectural remnants from this Victorian past remain, including the Feather Market Centre, the Opera House and the Public Library. These buildings feature in the Donkin Heritage Trail, which takes visitors on a five-kilometre ramble through Port Elizabeth’s 47 historical sites.

Port Elizabeth occupies an important place in recent South African history, having been home to some of the country’s most iconic figures including Thabo Mbeki, Steve Biko, Chris Hani, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and other apartheid struggle heroes. Nelson Mandela also lived in the city, and now Port Elizabeth, along with towns Uitenhage and Dispatch, form part of Nelson Mandela Bay.

Culture

The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum exhibits South African, British and Asian art, and has a good collection of contemporary local work.

The Port Elizabeth Museum, part of the Bayworld Museum Complex, displays cultural and natural history.

Parks and gardens

St George’s Park is a green space in the city centre, with an open-air theatre, art galleries and a public swimming pool. It’s a popular picnicking spot.

Settlers Park Nature Reserve is located in the heart of the city and has 100 species of South African birds and numerous small animals within 80 hectares of indigenous growth. There are walks, hiking trails and mountain-biking paths.

Ten minutes away from the city, Cape Recife Nature Reserve is great for bird watching and nature walks.

Nightlife

Several drinking and nightlife spots can be found in the beachfront suburb, Summerstrand. The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex on the beachfront is a popular after dark hangout, with restaurants, bars and casino entertainment.

Barney’s Tavern on the beachfront next to Hobie Beach has live music and live sports screenings.

Toby Joe’s is a pub by day and a club by night, with live music and DJs.

Getting around

The best way to get around is by hiring a car.

Car hire
Europcar has a branch in the CBD and one at the airport. Tel +27-41-581-4214.
Tempest Car Hire has a branch at the airport. Tel +27-41-581-1256.
Sixt has two branches. Tel +27-41-581-1123.
Avis has two branches. Tel +27-41-501-7200.

Train
There is a Metrorail service from Port Elizabeth to Uitenhage. Visit www.metrorail.co.za for route maps and timetables.
Take the Apple Express, a tourist train that goes from Humewood Road to Thornhill Village.

Call to hire taxis
Hurters Cabs. Tel +27-41-585-5500.
Kingcab. Tel +27-41-368-5559.
Magic Cabs Taxi. Tel +27-41-582-2800.
Minibus taxis can be hailed and are found around the city.

Stadium

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, with a capacity of 48 000, was built for the 2010 World Cup. The stadium will host a total of eight matches, including the match for third place, as well as a quarter-final. It has a unique roof-structure built to withstand Port Elizabeth’s high wind speeds and offers a spectacular view overlooking North End Lake. The stadium is located two kilometres from the coast, close to the N2 highway and Port Elizabeth’s hotels.
Fan Parks
The sport stadium at St George’s Park in Park Drive is the venue of the Official FIFA fan park.

The fan park will run from 11 June to 11 July 2010, and will show live broadcasts of every football match on big screens. Between matches, entertainment and activities will be on offer, as well as food and beverages. Entertainment will include live musical performances as well as interactive activities for the entire family. The fan park has a capacity of 17 500.