Gqeberha

Travel Guide
Bayworld showing outdoor art and art
Explore exciting game reserves, historical museums and miles of beaches in “The Friendly City”, a beach-loving city on South Africa’s Sunshine Coast.

Port Elizabeth is known for its beautiful beaches, charming downtown area and wildlife spotting opportunities. The city sits along the shores of Nelson Mandela Bay, at the western edge of the Sunshine Coast. Founded by British settlers in the early 1800s, Port Elizabeth’s history, scenery and clean surf breaks make it a haven for backpackers, surfers, families and young couples alike.

Port Elizabeth features 25 miles (40 kilometers) of pristine beaches, which stretch along Algoa Bay and Nelson Mandela Bay. Swim in the calm waters of King’s Beach and learn about the Eastern Cape’s underwater world at Bayworld. Enjoy family-friendly beach fun at Humewood Beach, one of South Africa’s oldest Blue Flag beaches. Hobie Beach is an exciting destination for surfing, windsurfing and scuba diving. Spot migrating whales from Shark Rock Pier and join local cultural festivals.

Discover Port Elizabeth’s history on the Donkin Heritage Trail, a self-guided walk past approximately 50 historical city center sights. Among these are Market Square, Donkin Reserve, No. 7 Castle Hill Museum and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum. Follow Route 67 to discover 67 public works of art that celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 67-year contribution to politics and anti-apartheid movements. Learn about local apartheid struggles at the South End Museum. Step onboard military aircraft at the South African Air Force Museum.

Rent a car or join an organized tour and visit the nearby wildlife centers for the chance to spot Africa’s famous “big five” animals. See buffalo, cheetahs and giraffes roaming free at Kragga Kamma Game Park. Get up close to lions at Seaview Predator Park. Find Addo Elephant Park, Amakhala Game Reserve and Shamwari Game Reserve within 90-minutes’ drive from the city.

Reach Port Elizabeth by flying to Port Elizabeth International Airport, just a 10-minute drive from the city center. Get around using public buses, low-cost taxis or a rented car. With plenty of outdoor activities, average temperatures of 63°F (17°C) and the mild water of the Indian Ocean, Port Elizabeth is a true year-round destination.

City Lodge Hotel Port Elizabeth
City Lodge Hotel Port Elizabeth
3 out of 5
Cnr Beach & Lodge Roads Summerstrand, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape
Fully refundable
The price is $51 per night from Oct 8 to Oct 9
$51
per night
Oct 8 - Oct 9
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Gqeberha. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Humewood Beach and The Boardwalk Casino ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (135 reviews)
The beach and deck life
"Beautiful setting right across from the beach. Very nice cafe on site also with a deck. Rooms were clean and comfortable"

Reviewed on Apr 14, 2023

City Lodge Hotel Port Elizabeth
Radisson Blu Hotel, Port Elizabeth
Radisson Blu Hotel, Port Elizabeth
4 out of 5
Corner of Marine Drive And Ninth Avenue, Summerstrand, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape
The price is $101 per night from Oct 22 to Oct 23
$101
per night
Oct 22 - Oct 23
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Gqeberha. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Piet Retief Monument and Lighthouses ...
8/10 Very Good! (634 reviews)
Big room
"Stayed one night. We were not informed about load shedding, therefore we experience, admittedly a very period of time in the dark but wish we had known it was going to happen as it was scary trying to find a phone the dark. The breakfast staff were very friendly."

Reviewed on May 22, 2023

Radisson Blu Hotel, Port Elizabeth
Courtyard Port Elizabeth
Courtyard Port Elizabeth
4 out of 5
Corner Lodge Road & Beach Road, Summerstrand, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape
Fully refundable
The price is $73 per night from Oct 8 to Oct 9
$73
per night
Oct 8 - Oct 9
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Gqeberha. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Humewood Beach and The Boardwalk Casino ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (241 reviews)
"I never thought that you have not included breakfast and that have disappointed me."

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2023

Courtyard Port Elizabeth
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
First Group Brookes Hill Suites
First Group Brookes Hill Suites
4.5 out of 5
Lower Brookes Hill Street, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Gqeberha. Enjoy free parking, WiFi, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Bayworld and Museum of Bay World are ...
First Group Brookes Hill Suites
Paxton Luxury Apartments
Paxton Luxury Apartments
4 out of 5
1 Humewood Rd, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Gqeberha. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and barbecue grills. Popular attractions Museum of Bay World and Bayworld are located ...
7.8/10 Good! (7 reviews)
"Staff were extremely friendly. Excellent location. Views are lovely. Drain in the shower was extremely smelly and most unpleasant. Found cockroaches in two of the rooms, floors were not cleaned, there were bits of chips next to the couch and even after cleaning the room the next day the chips were ..."

Reviewed on Jan 7, 2023

Paxton Luxury Apartments
Wilmot Cottages
Wilmot Cottages
3.5 out of 5
13 Bradley Rd, Summerstrand, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape
Stay at this 3.5-star cottage in Gqeberha. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Piet Retief Monument and Lighthouses Tenpin Bowling ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
Wow Amazing
"Neat,clean Friendly people."

Reviewed on Sep 28, 2022

Wilmot Cottages
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Gqeberha

4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
10
" "5 - Excellent 26.31578947368421%
4 - Good
19
" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
7
" "3 - Okay 18.42105263157895%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 5.2631578947368425%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Sep 1, 2019

Nice city during the day. Lots of people (including locals) think it isn’t safe in the evening. The beach was pleasant.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Aug 12, 2019

Pelliington Bay is a real gem!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jul 12, 2019

It’s a quiet beach town with cute restaurants & a low key vibe. In addition to the area next to the B&B I’d recommend checking out Stanley street for delicious restaurants like Kindred Kitchen and Upstairs.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
May 7, 2019

We arrived late and only stayed one night, left early so no opinion on Port Elizabeth

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 1, 2019

Beautiful sunrise over the ocean.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Apr 27, 2019

It must off been nice at some point

Cities near Gqeberha