Gqeberha Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Hobie Beach which includes a sandy beach, general coastal views and a coastal town
Bayworld featuring art and outdoor art
Port Elizabeth showing bird life and a pond
Hobie Beach which includes café lifestyle, a beach and a coastal town
Hobie Beach showing waves and rocky coastline

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 kilometres) 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 centre 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 organised 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 centre. 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.

Where to stay in Gqeberha

Hobie Beach featuring landscape views, rocky coastline and general coastal views

Summerstrand

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Summerstrand. A stop by The Boardwalk Casino & Entertainment World or Hobie Beach might round out your trip.

Summerstrand
Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth Central

2.5/5(2 area reviews)

While visiting Port Elizabeth Central, you might make a stop by sights like St. George's Cricket Ground and Port Elizabeth City Hall.

Port Elizabeth Central
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Humewood

Uncover some of the top draws of Humewood like its waterfront views and beaches. If you're hoping to see more of the larger area, stop by King's Beach or Bayworld.

Humewood
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Walmer

4/5(8 area reviews)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Walmer and surrounding area, you can visit Greenacres Shopping Centre and St. George's Cricket Ground.

Walmer
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New Brighton

New Brighton might not have many top sights, but Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and Greenacres Shopping Centre are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

New Brighton
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Pollok Beach

4/5(12 area reviews)

Seaside views, waterfront views and restaurants are some highlights of Pollok Beach. Make a stop by Hobie Beach or Piet Retief Monument while you're exploring.

Pollok Beach
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 £78 per night from 18 Jul to 19 Jul
£78
18 Jul - 19 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Gqeberha. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Piet Retief Monument and Lighthouses ...
8/10 Very Good! (748 reviews)
Great spot
"I arrived after dark and was happy to have a clean quiet room, and in hotel restaurant. The bar was quiet and not staffed, given this was off season this was staffed lighter than may have been during busier times of the year. Light renovations were ongoing to improve the building non impacted me. ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Port Elizabeth
Road Lodge Port Elizabeth Airport
Road Lodge Port Elizabeth Airport
1 out of 5
Cnr of De Havilland and Airport West Rd, Port Elizabeth Airport, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape
Fully refundable
The price is £34 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
£34
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Gqeberha. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Ron Belling Art Gallery and St. ...
8/10 Very Good! (457 reviews)
"Incredibly convenient for our overnight stay to catch our 7am flight. The hotel is literally steps from the airport. We walked with our bags to check-in. Very nice staff. Clean room, comfortable bed. Hotel food good."

Reviewed on 18 Jun 2025

Road Lodge Port Elizabeth Airport
The Boardwalk Hotel
The Boardwalk Hotel
4 out of 5
Beach Road, Summerstrand, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape
The price is £109 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
£109
5 Aug - 6 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Gqeberha. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions The Boardwalk Casino & Entertainment ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (258 reviews)
"This hotel is absolutely GORGEOUS! Every detail is solidly and thoughtfully constructed, from the chair rail lining the hallway to the sliding bathroom door. But form without function is of little value, and the staff brings the function in spades. Everyone we met went out of their way to answer ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2025

The Boardwalk Hotel
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.
302 On Old Seaview Road Chelsea
302 On Old Seaview Road Chelsea
3.5 out of 5
302 Old Seaview Rd, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape
Stay at this 3.5-star residence in Gqeberha. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Kragga Kamma Game Park and Holmeleigh Farmyard ...
302 On Old Seaview Road Chelsea
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 Wi-Fi, free parking and Netflix. Popular attractions Museum of Bay World and Bayworld are located ...
Paxton not so luxury apartments
"For the price paid for a “luxury” establishment extremely dissatisfied! NO AIRCON OR FAN 32degree days, oh its a new place was the response…huh😡 I booked into the wrong Paxton the actual hotel is R700 per night cheaper in a better area with AIRCON!!"

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2024

Paxton Luxury Apartments
Room-luxury Room, Double Bed and Sleeper
Room-luxury Room, Double Bed and Sleeper
3 out of 5
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Stay at this 3-star villa in Gqeberha. Enjoy a garden and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Museum of Bay World and Bayworld are located nearby.
Room-luxury Room, Double Bed and Sleeper
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

Things to do

Reviews of Gqeberha

3.8
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
7
5 - Excellent 20%
4 - Good
17
4 - Good 49%
3 - Okay
8
3 - Okay 23%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 9%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Loved it - great vibe

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great place to visit especially for cricket!

4/5 - Good

Jon

If you're travelling without a car, do make sure you have Uber. Taxis are hard to find considering it is a fair-sized place and are relatively expensive by SA standards

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The cricket experience at St Georges Park was very good

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Enjoyed the beach, and especially Raggy Charters boat trip

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Best kept secret of South Africa