Top Tourist Places To Visit in Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth
South Africa

State Port Elizabeth lies in the province of Eastern Cape.
Country South Africa.
Currency Rand is the currency used here.
Geographic Coordination
Port Elizabeth is 33°57'29"S 25°36'00"E
Tourist Attractions - Best Places to Visit
Port Elizabeth is the plethora of tourists attractions and hangouts. The town has wide assortment of places to visit that will surely leave you spell bound. The most popular attraction is the beachfront that includes the Oceanarium, a museum, and a snake park.
- The Bayworld Oceanarium : - The Bayworld Oceanarium is popular amongst thousands of people for its Bottlenose dolphin shows. Besides this, there is also an aquarium tank where the visitors can watch a vast array of marine life through glass portholes.
- The Snake Park : - The Snake Park contains remarkable variety of indigenous reptiles in their natural habitat.
- The Museum : - The Museum exhibits the rich cultural and natural history of the town by displaying some of the notable models of sailing ships and giant replicas of dinosaurs that roamed here.
- Grahamstown : - Grahamstown is located in the northeast of Port Elizabeth, is presided over, from the top of Gunfire Hill, by the 1820 Settler's National Monument, an arts and theater complex.
- Addo Elephant Park : - Addo Elephant Park is a well known game reserve in the Port Elizabeth where there is more than 300 varieties of elephants.
- St George's Park : - St George's Park is a recreational center for the city boasting of awe-inspiring landscapes and beautiful surrounding gardens.
Area
The total area is 1,845 Km2.
Population The total population calculated in 2005 was 737,600.

Nearby Places

Port Elizabeth Overview

Port Elizabeth is South Africa's second oldest city and also the commercial capital of the Eastern Cape. It is located on the South Eastern Coast of South Africa. It is one of the major seaports and tourist destination and is fondly known as the "Friendly City". The town has numerous golden beaches, each with its own attractions and activities and wonderful shopping plazas. It is an excellent holiday Mecca, totally away from the hustle- bustle of the life having perfect weather and locations to relax.

Climate and Geography

Port Elizabeth enjoys a moderate climate, known to have the most sunshine and fewest rainy days of any of South Africa's seaside cities. There is little difference in average temperature between summer and winter, the sea remaining warm enough for swimming all year round.

Suitable Visiting Seasons ( months) : April to September is the perfect time to visit Port Elizabeth.

Transportation

Port Elizabeth has little or no public transport system and the existing bus service is erratic and unreliable, with schedules hard to come by and very few areas covered. The principal means of transport, as in most of South Africa, is the minibus taxi. These are usually crowded and drivers pay no attention to road rules, stopping wherever and whenever to drop off and pick up passengers. This makes them easy to catch and they are cheap, but are used at one's own risk. Passengers should not get into an empty minibus and should only travel in daylight, on well-known routes. Metered taxis are available, but are usually fairly expensive. Hiring a car is usually the best and easiest option

Local Transport : Port Elizabeth has a very well developed transport system. The city is visited regularly by a large number of tourists each year. The public transport of the city is very efficient and connects all major parts of the city. The principal means of transport is the minibus taxi which will take you around inside the city. The bus service is also available for traveling but is very erratic and unreliable with changing schedules. Metered taxis are a good option but are fairly expensive. Hiring a car is the easiest choice to tour around.

Getting Around : Port Elizabeth Airport is the major airport that serves the city of Port Elizabeth. Currently the airport has facilities for only domestic flights but soon it will serve international flights as well. The airport is also used for cargo flights. Elizabeth is well connected with most major cities is South Africa like Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban etc. Several airlines fly from Port Elizabeth to various cities in South Africa.

Shopping and Entertainment

Port Elizabeth all together offers a complete but unique shopping experience. It has all- flea markets, African crafts and antiques, up market boutiques and malls etc. Below are few acknowledged shopping destinations like : -

The Bridge Shopping & Entertainment Centre

The Bridge Shopping Centre make up one of the country's largest shopping attractions. It has all you need ranging from designer boutiques to cinemas, banking facilities to food court with numerous restaurants, coffee shops and fast food outlets etc.

Greenacres Shopping Centre

Greenacres is one of the Port Elizabeth's favorite shopping centers. There are numerous stores selling international brand here.

Walmer Park Shopping & Entertainment Centre

This is an excellent up market retail shopping complex.

Walmer Park Shopping & Entertainment Centre

This is full of antique and speciality shops. Also don't miss the shopping fun at the Rink Street, Parliament Street, Lawrence Street, Clyde Street, Pearson Street and Westbourne Road.

Entertainment : When the sun dips and stars glitter in Port Elizabeth, the rollicking frolicking fun starts. At night, the city is adorned with colorful bright lights and the rocking music setting everyone to its tunes. Local bands and local artists entertain people at various venues like beachfront pubs, cocktail bars, nightclubs and discos etc.