Port Elizabeth

The climate of “The Windy City” is subtropical, with light rain throughout the year. Port Elizabeth has an oceanic climate (Cfb) according to the Köppen climatic classification.

The region is sandwiched between the Western Cape’s winter rainfall, Mediterranean climatic zones and eastern South Africa’s summer rainfall areas. Summers are warm but not as scorching as they are in more northerly portions of South Africa’s east coast, while winters are temperate but moderate. The temperature is generally consistent throughout the year, with just a few instances of intense heat or mild cold. The Chatty, the Shark, and the Baakens rivers all run through Port Elizabeth.

PE, also known as “The Friendly City” or “The Windy City,” is a 16-kilometer strip of land along Algoa Bay and one of South Africa’s main seaports. Port Elizabeth is the African continent’s southernmost significant city, located just south of Cape Town.

Historically, Port Elizabeth handled the bulk of the region’s commerce. At least five ships delivered commodities to Europe on a regular basis in the 1830s. In 1832, it became a free port. Around 50 boats passed through the harbor in 1833. In 1828, 55,201 pounds of commodities were imported via the port, rising to 12,845 pounds the following year. In 1828, Port Elizabeth exported 41,290 pounds, and in 1829, it exported 86,931 pounds. Wine, brandy, vinegar, ivory, hides and skins, leather, tallow, butter, soap, wool, ostrich feathers, salted meat, wheat, candles, aloe, barley, and other products were all exported.

Port Elizabeth, the heart of South Africa’s automobile sector, is home to the majority of car assembly factories, as well as General Motors, Ford, Continental Tyres, and a slew of other automakers. The majority of Port Elizabeth’s other sectors cater to the automobile industry, supplying components such as wire harnesses, catalytic converters, batteries, and tyres to car makers.

Port Elizabeth is also a large seaport, with some of the world’s most important mineral loading facilities. A new Industrial Expansion Zone with improved port facilities is being created at Coega as part of the continuing development.

The Port Elizabeth Airport is about two miles south of the city’s core business sector. Because it is reported to be less than 10 minutes’ driving from most main districts of the city, it has acquired the nickname “Ten Minute Airport.” out of town, with daily flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and other South African airports.

The major railway station is located near the harbor in the city center.

Shosholoza Meyl runs intercity trains to Johannesburg and Bloemfontein on a regular basis. You can also reach to Cape Town, Kimberley, Pietermaritzburg, and Durban (by changing trains in Bloemfontein), East London (by changing trains in Noupoort, Colesburg, or Bloemfontein), Mthatha (by changing trains in Noupoort and Amabele), and Grahamstown (by changing trains in Noupoort and Amabele) (by changing trains in Alicedale).

Premier Classe offers twice-weekly luxury trains from George to Cape Town via Oudtshoorn.

During the week, MetroRail runs numerous commuter trains to Uitenhage and the neighboring suburbs, with a reduced service on weekends.

The Apple Express is a narrow-gauge (2 feet/610 mm) tourist train that departs from a stop on Humewood Road near King’s Beach. It leaves on a regular basis towards Thornhill Village over the Van Staden’s River bridge, the world’s tallest narrow-gauge rail bridge.

All of the main South African bus operators provide frequent services to and from Port Elizabeth. The city is also served by the Baz Bus.

Minibus cabs from Port Elizabeth depart at the Norwich Minibus rank, which is located at the intersection of Strand Street and Flemming Street. Minibus taxis operate between Knysna and Cape Town.

Motorways connect Port Elizabeth to Cape Town (790 km) through the Garden Route, Bloemfontein, and East London (310 km). You may, of course, drive from Johannesburg.

Within the city, there is a public bus transportation system. The system has undergone a substantial overhaul for the World Cup 2010, with new buses, and you should expect to wait no more than 15 minutes for a bus. Online schedules are available at http://www.algoabus.co.za/port-elizabeth-bus-routes/route list/schedule.aspx.

The (minibus) cab is the most common mode of transportation for most people. Toyota Hiaces or VW Caravelles or similar vehicles, adapted to fit as many seats as feasible, will get you about town for around R7.00. Some are still more of a menace on the road than anything else, but a recent clean-up in the taxi sector indicates that their standards are improving.

Each cab follows a predetermined path. They are more common during the day than at night.

How to proceed. Place yourself on a busy road’s bend. When a cab comes, its headlights may flash to ‘ask’ whether you wish to travel. Simply extend your hand.

How to get away. When you pay, you may be able to tell the ‘bouncer’ your preferred location, but in any event, just tell the driver “next stop” in a clear, strong voice, if you can make yourself heard over the music hammering from the sound system.

It should be noted that this is not always a safe mode of transportation.

The city is home to all of the major national vehicle rental companies.

MARKET / SUPERMARKET

RESTAURANTS

ENTERTAINMENT

PERSONAL CARE

CLOTHES / SHOES

TRANSPORTATION

Tourist (Backpacker) – 38 $ per day. Estimated cost per 1 day including:meals in cheap restaurant, public transport, cheap hotel.

Tourist (regular) – 113 $ per day. Estimated cost per 1 day including:mid-range meals and drinks,transportation, hotel.

The clean and magnificent beaches of Port Elizabeth are the city’s most valuable asset. Summer water temperatures range from 18 to 21 degrees Celsius, while winter temperatures range from 14 to 19 degrees Celsius. Except when the South Easterly wind blows, the sea conditions in the bay are normally calm. All beaches are manned by professionally trained lifeguards. Apart from the more “traditional” activities, the city’s moderate climate, unspoiled beaches, and warm seas make it ideal for exhilarating watersports.

Algoa Bay has 40 kilometers of beautiful beaches and is one of the top sailing destinations in the world, with its ideal mix of warm water, calm seas, and gentle winds. It is also a hotspot for beach and watersports aficionados.

The Southern Beaches provide safe and sheltered swimming, body surfing, sunbathing, boardsailing, excellent waves and surfing opportunities, as well as interesting intertidal sealife, whereas the Northern Beaches provide vast stretches of sand and dunes ideal for long beach walks, as well as excellent angling and swimming opportunities.

• Donkin Reserve. Rufane Donkin and his wife Elizabeth are remembered as the city’s namesakes. The public may visit the lighthouse, which was completed in 1861. Here is where the Office of Tourism for the Province of Prince Edward Island is located.
• Townships: The Tourist Information Center offers planned trips. However, there is a safety problem with township visits.
• Alexandria Dune Fields. The communities of Colchester and Cannonville, just outside of PE, are home to the world’s biggest coastal dune field.
• Tour Nelson Mandela Bay City, Dickens Street, Central Port Elizabeth,+27 41 373-7758. See Town Hall, Feather Market Hall, the Old Post Office, Fort Frederick, Donkin Reserve, Settlers Park, and the Horse Memorial all in one fabulous tour.
• Wezandla African Arts and Crafts Gallery, 27 Baakens Str,  +27 41 585-1185, fax: +27 41 585-1186. Browse African Art

• South Africa Airforce Museum, +27 41 505-1295, fax: +27 41 505-1403. Open 8AM to 3:30PM Mon to Fri and 10AM to 6PM on Sun. Entrance is free.
• Bayworld, Marine Drive, Humewood,  +27 41 584-0650. Open 9AM to 4:30PM.. There is a museum, an oceanarium, and a snake park here. At this time, there are no dolphin shows scheduled.
• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, 1 Park Drive, Central (St George’s Park entrance),  +27 41 506-2000. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa-Su 2PM-5PM. A collection of art from South Africa, mostly from the Eastern Cape.
• No 7 Castle Hill Museum,  +27 41 582-2515. Open 10AM to 1PM and 2PM to 5PM, Tuesday to Friday. 2PM to 5PM on Mondays and 10AM to 1PM on Saturdays. It is the oldest Settler cottage in PE, dating back to 1827. There is an R6 entrance charge.
• Red Location Museum,  +27 41 408-8400, fax: +27 41 408-8401, e-mail:nhoza@mandelametro.gov.za. 10AM to 4PM Tues to Fri and 9AM to 3PM Sat and Sun. The museum that connects the past with the future R12, pensioners, disabled, and unemployed: Free on Wednesdays between 12 and 4 p.m., students get a discount.

PE is an excellent starting point for game watching. Addo Elephant National Park, as well as several privately owned wildlife reserves in the vicinity, are home to elephants and other birds and animals.

• African Dawn (Wildlife Sanctuary), Thornhill,  +27 42 2860-710. 9AM-5PM. Cheetahs, Servals, and a variety of other birds and species may be seen at the African Dawn Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary. There are braai and picnic areas accessible.
• Beaches. The primary swimming beaches are Hobie, Humewood, Kings, and Wells Estate Beach. Blue Flag status has been conferred to Humewood, Wells, Kings, and Hobie.
• Algoa Bay Yacht Club. Have a meal and go sailing
• Apple Express, +27 41 583-2030. A 100-kilometer narrow-gauge steam excursion that includes a halt at the Van Stadens River Bridge. Adults pay R130, while children under the age of 13 pay R60.
• Boardwalk Casino,  +27 41 507-7777, e-mail: boardwalk@sunint.co.za.
• Kragga Kamma Game Park (Follow the M15 west from the city center for about 15 minutes), +27 41 379-4195, e-mail: cantor@worldonline.co.za.Gates are open from 8AM to 5PM. During the day, you may either sleep at the camp or go on self-drives. Other animals include the white rhinoceros, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, and zebra. Small park with great value. Entrance is R30.
• Links Humewood Golf course.
• Raggy Charters,  +27 41 378-2528, e-mail: raggycharter@mweb.co.za.Whale Watching, Penguin Island Cruises and Fishing Charters
• The Mountain Club of South Africa,  +27 41 365-5543, e-mail:mcsaeas@mcsa.org.za. Climbs, walks and a rock climbing school.
• Voetsac Hiking Club,  +27 41 581-2109. Maitland Nature Reserve, Aloe Hiking Trail, and other hiking trails and walks may be found in and around the city.
• The Peoples Observatory, cnr Westview and Macfarlane, Newton Park, +27 41 363-9040. Every first and third Wednesday of the month, at 8 p.m., there are meetings. Look towards the southern horizon.
• Roseate Tern hiking trial, Next to Pine Lodge Resort off Marine Drive, Summerstrand, +27 41 585-9711. 9 km circular trail.
• Sandboarding,  +27 41 586-2276, e-mail: theboardroom@axemail.co.za.The Maitland dune mountain is one of the country’s biggest, and it’s ideal for sandboarding.
• Surf. The Pipe at Pollok Beach is where you want to go for surfing.
• Eastern Cape Wilderness Motorcycle Tour (Central Port Elizabeth, Dickens Street), +27 41 373-7785, e-mail: info@lathita.co.za. A motorbike journey that starts and ends in Port Elizabeth and takes you through South Africa’s beautiful Eastern, Southern, and Western Cape districts.
• Chelsea Mashie Golf Club (Chelsea Mashie Golf) (Follow the M15 west from the city center for about 15 minutes, Next to ‘Kragga Kamma Game Park’),  +27 82 774 7679.
• Sakhume Museum & Xhosa Culture Centre, Human Dignity Centre (On the road leading from Walmer 10th Ave to Schoenmakerskop (Victoria Drive) Beyond and opposite the Walmer Country Club.),  +27 76 978-6627, +27 14 366-2082. 9-15H00. The Walmer Township is one of the few places in South Africa where forcible removals were not carried out. The welcoming community is eager to introduce you to their culture and share their history with you. From the 14th of June 2010, tours will depart every hour on the hour, Monday through Friday. If you notify us ahead of time, we’ll make sure you get a Xhosa Culture presentation. A children’s project will also be on display, and locals will be ready to accompany you into the township to witness shacks and local life firsthand. R20
• Pumba Private Game Reserve,  +27 46 603-2000. Day visitors may participate in Day Safaris, which are available all year. Each package is customized to the requirements and desires of the specific party, however safari times vary depending on the season. Cheetahs, rhinos, elephants, hippos, lions, buffaloes, White Lions, leopards, and a variety of other fascinating species await visitors.
• Soith End Museum, Cnr.Humewood & Walmer Blvd (South End),  +27 41 582-3325. 09.00 -16.00. The South End Museum provides a window into the past. The Museum presents a living tribute to the victims forcefully relocated by the terrible Group Areas Act, from its walk-on map to historical images and exhibitions of the lives and times of the people of South End.

Brooke’s Pavilion boasts a fantastic view of the beach and the ocean. For a brunch with a view, any of the eateries are a wonderful choice.

• Blue Waters Cafe. It’s reasonably priced and offers a great view of the ocean.
• Fishmonger, The Broadwalk, Marine Drive, Summerstrand, +27 41 583-6895. Succulent prawns, calamari, fish and chips, and curries are all available.
• Leonardo’s, The Broadwalk, Marine Drive, Summerstrand,  +27 41 583-1302, fax: +27 41 583-1304. The pizza is fantastic, and the environment is quite nice.
• Ocean Grill, Mercado Centre, Corner of Admiralty and Strandfontein Roads, Summerstrand. Sushi and other seafood dishes are served at this beautiful and elegant seafood restaurant.
• Old Austria. Is one of Port Elizabeth’s most upscale restaurants, located just off Cape Road.
• The Oyster Catcher,  +27 41 582-1867, fax: +27 41 582-1869. Located in the harbour. The fish is quite delicious. It’s really popular, so make a reservation if you want to eat there.
• Tiffany’s, Brookes Hill, Beach Road, Humewood,  +27 41 584-0696. Tea, coffee, light dinners, and delectable pastries and cakes are served in a beautiful setting with a view of the sea.
• Ginger Restaurant, Marine Dr,  +27415831229. The cuisine is a blend of the freshest, fresh ingredients with an Eastern Cape flavor, and the ambience is welcoming, airy, and elegant.
• Fushin Sushi & Eastern Cuisine, Shop 5, Stanley on Bain, Stanley Street, Richmond Hill. This is Port Elizabeth’s most exclusive sushi restaurant; it’s hip, private, and welcoming. The hotel is conveniently placed in Richmond Hill’s affluent, historic district.
• Primi Coastal, Marine Drive, Humewood. A contemporary pizza restaurant with a fantastic beachside location.

Port Elizabeth boasts coffee that is on par with the finest in the world. It’s a city with a small number of baristas who are fiercely competitive in their pursuit of the ideal brew.

Vovo Telo Corner Raleigh and Irvine Street, Richmond Hill. Phone: +27 41 585-5606 Hours: Monday to Friday from 07h15 to 15h00. Locals gather to get their dose at this artisan bakery, which is the pride of the community. The meal is filling and delicious. The Vovo almond croissant (when available) is a strong favourite, as are the breakfasts, particularly the velvety scrambled eggs with smoked salmon or bacon on Ciabatta. Samora and Xolani will make you a cup of coffee that is tailored to your preferences. Enjoy the old section of PE, listening in on the residents going about their daily lives and taking in the ambience, which is half African, part European.

Brioche 181 Main Rd Walmer. Phone +21 41 581-2136 Hours: Mon to Sat 7h00 to 15h30 The coffee is excellent, and the Brioche area is stunning. The cinnamon buns will stay with you for a long time. The menu is simple and flavorful, and the whole restaurant smells like freshly baked artisan breads. On a hot day, you may come here to enjoy the coolness of an ancient South African’stoep.’ Also, friendly service.

Urban Express 25 6th Avenue, Walmer. Phone +21 41 581-3390 Hours: Mon to Sat 7h00 to 15h00. Donovan McLagan, South Africa’s No. 1 coffee taster, owns this establishment. Just one taste of the brew, which is presented in 175ml glasses, demonstrates this. He placed 5th in the international Coffee Tasters Competition while representing South Africa. Port Elizabeth is delighted to be a part of the nation’s coffee heritage. Urban, which is connected to the famed Pastryworks, offers excellent coffee as well as delectable breads, sandwiches, and pastries. The atmosphere is industrial, and the service is warm.

• The Boardwalk, Marine Drive, Summerstrand, +27 41 507-777, e-mail:boardwalk@sunint.co.za. Provides a variety of stores. eateries specializing on quick food and a casino
• Greenacres Shopping Centre. A wonderful way to spend a Saturday around noon. There are several businesses and eateries. Weekends have a bustling ambiance, and the mall is conveniently accessible. It is also frequently referred to as “The Bridge” because to its connection to the same-named mall.
• Walmer Park Shopping Centre. It’s a pleasant spot to dine, plus there are a few pleasant businesses.

• Barney’s Tavarn, At the Boardwalk, +27 41 583-4500. Pub with a lively atmosphere. It has views of Algoa Bay and is located only steps from the water’s edge. The bar has an excellent balcony and serves excellent draught beer and meals. A local favorite, this watering place is often the first stop for Johannesburg travelers looking to meet up with friends. On most Saturday evenings, live music is featured.
• Ekhaya Pub,  +27 41 586-1156. For African Jazz
• Ibhayi Brewery Tours, 47 Kohler St,  +27 41 404-3527, e-mail:jenni.dewet@za.sabmiller.com. After touring the brewery, stop by the Bay and Barrel for a few of drinks.
• News Cafe. Located on the Boardwalk, this bar is usually bustling with activity. They provide wonderful meals and it’s a pleasant spot to get a drink.
• Blackbeards Tavern, Within The Chapman Hotel. Does a splendid Seafood Extravaganza.
• Rasoi, 79 Heugh Road, Walmer,  +27 41-581-0333. This is an excellent place for Indian food. The ambience is pleasant, and the personnel is quite pleasant. When in PE, it’s a fantastic idea to stop by Rasoi for supper.
• Cubana – Port Elizabeth, Marine Drive, Humewood,  +27 41 582 5258.Port Elizabeth’s most elite nightclub Is a must-see!