Overview

Port Elizabeth is the second oldest and fifth largest city which is situated along the wonderful shores of Algoa Bay in South Africa. With total population of about one million the city is known for its commercial importance. Port Elizabeth is famous for its wildlife splendor, golden sandy beaches, amazing heritage and a distinctive coastal climate.

Being a popular and significant destination for water sports, Port Elizabeth also offers many historical attractions, such as the Historic Donkin Heritage trail, British heritage which is reflected in the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, and the Oldest Bowling Green in South Africa.

Top Tourist Attraction in Port Elizabeth

This exotic city has various tourist attractions for those who love with exploring history, culture and nature. Tourist can have experience of Cultural History Museum, Donkiun Heritage Trail, Snake Park, Tropical house, Campanille, Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth, Addo Elephant National Park and Sea View Lion Park. Among these some brief account of major tourist attractions of Port Elizabeth includes the following:

Bayworld Museum Complex:

Located along the Marine Drive Bayworld Museum Complex is one of major attractions of Port Elizabeth. This museum consists of the Snake Park, Oceanarium and Number 7 Castle Hill Museum. It is now considered to be one of the oldest existing Settler huts in Port Elizabeth.

Tropical House:

It is a place with rich green vegetation and is inhabited by hundreds of brightly colored birds. Tropical House is situated opposite the main beach. Tourist can get the opportunity to watch the endangered West African Dwarf crocodile.

Hobie Beach:

This attraction is most brilliant sightseeing areas of the town of Port Elizabeth. The calm waters of Hobie Beach are ideal for swimming. Tourist can have hundreds things to do at Hobie Beach. Right at the road from Hobie Beach, you can reach Entertainment Complex and the Boardwalk Casino.

Things to do in Port Elizabeth

Reputedly known as the 'Friendly City', Port Elizabeth offers many things to do to tourist which includes many entertainment activities around the city. These include bungee jumping, diving, swimming, watching the White Sharks and many more.

Go for a stroll in Victoria Park:

The Park offers beautiful setting gardens, attractive water lily ponds with old fashioned stone bridges where one can enjoy the solitude, as well as a large pleasant lawn area with shaded trees. You can also enjoy bird watching at the park as it is a favorite bird watching site.

No 7 Castle Hill:

It is now regarded as one of the oldest surviving settler cottages in Port Elizabeth. This area is full of early British settler history, with historic monuments and many more buildings where tourist can explore a lot.

Festivals and Events in Port Elizabeth

Throughout year Port Elizabeth offers visitors a rich collection of events and festivals that highlight its unique cultural identity and history.

Grahamstown National Arts Festival:

It is the largest event in South Africa and most colorful and cultural event so as tourist can experience a lot. This event held every year for 11 days in the end of June and remains in the start of July. The festival offers more than 500 shows from opera, cabaret, drama and jazz to stand-up comics and folk music.

Chilli Festival:

Chilli Festival takes place on the March every year. There are chilli plants and chilli trinkets but the emphasis is on food and plenty of exotic hot food.

Queenstown Annual Easter Family Festival:

A three day full of fun and lots of family entertainment Queenstown Easter Family Festival held every year on April 22nd to 24th. It includes family competitions, arts and craft stalls, food stalls, picnic area, comedy, poetry and lots more.

Hotels and Accommodation in Port Elizabeth

To put up a stay at Port Elizabeth there are various categories of hotel to suit the individual needs and the taste of the travelers. The categories of hotels range from 5 star hotels, 4 star hotels, 3 star hotels, budget hotels, cheap hotels, boutique hotels, business hotels and many others.

The Beach Hotel:

With fifty eight beautifully decorated rooms of Beach Hotel have all sorts of room facilities. The location of the hotel is on the beach front and is opposite the Hobie Beach. This hotel is the best place to organize private events.

Protea Hotel Marine:

This hotel is most suitable to both leisure and business travelers. There are sixty three guest rooms with air conditioning, complimentary newspaper, high speed internet ports, safe deposit box, direct-dial phone, satellite television and coffee or tea maker. Small conference and seminars can be arranged in this business center of this hotel.

Courtyard At Port Elizabeth Hotel:

The hotel is situated on Marine Drive, have an accommodation of 64 guest rooms with world class facilities. In addition to that business travelers can also get advanced facilities. It takes hardly 5 minutes to get to the hotel from the airport.

Getting in and around Port Elizabeth

By Air: International Tourists coming from all over the world can get in Port Elizabeth by air. To reach Port Elizabeth you have to board a flight to Cape Town or Johannesburg. From there you have to board a domestic flight to Port Elizabeth. Preferred Airlines to Port Elizabeth from UK are:

South African Airways, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Egypt Airway, Emirates Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, KLM and Air France.

Port Elizabeth Intentional Airport (PLZ) is located just a few kilometers out of the city and has regular flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and other South African airports.

When to visit Port Elizabeth

December and January (summertime) are the favorite months for a holiday in Port Elizabeth when the city comes alive with all sorts of fun in the sun activities. The best time to travel to Port Elizabeth, however, is just before or after the height of the season, when beaches are less crowded and the weather is just as good. Winters in Port Elizabeth are very mild and those from northern climes will still find it warm enough to enjoy the sun and sea.

Best Time to Book Cheap Flights to Port Elizabeth

In the off season Jan, Feb and Sep, Oct when there is less crowed you can reserve cheap flights to Port Elizabeth in this time. So plan your trip and holidays during these dates so as to get cheap flights to Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

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