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Port Elizabeth Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to Port Elizabeth

Founded in the 1820s by the British, Port Elizabeth boasts great weather and sandy beaches. Nowadays, it is a major seaport and seaside vacation destination. Located on the shores of Algoa Bay, the city is commonly known as ‘PE’. Served by Port Elizabeth Airport, the city is gearing up to be one of the host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Flights to Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth Airport doesn’t have any direct international connections at present. However, with the 2010 FIFA World Cup just around the corner, the runway at the airport is being extended to be able to accommodate larger aircraft. In the meantime, Port Elizabeth can be reached via air connections from the international airports at Cape Town and Johannesburg. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Port Elizabeth try Expedia.

There is public transportation in the form of buses from the airport to the city centre, but these buses are unreliable. There are minibus taxis, but these should not be taken alone, for safety reasons. Metered taxis are also available, but can be expensive. The best option is to hire a car to get to and from the airport, as well as for exploring the outlying areas around Port Elizabeth.
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Sightseeing in Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth is a major tourist hub, located right on the coast. Many people come to simply enjoy the sun and surf, while others are attracted to Port Elizabeth to explore the so-called Donkin Heritage Trail. This trail guides visitors to numerous historic monuments through the Donkin Reserve Park and Fort Frederick, following the footsteps of the first settlers who arrived in 1820.

Parks are a main daytime attraction of this city and two of the larger ones are: Settler’s Park in the city centre and St Georges Park, which is home to the famous Port Elizabeth Cricket Club. The parks are a great way to experience the different flora and fauna of South Africa.

Book Sightseeing Tours

Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
There is an abundance of good restaurants and bars in Port Elizabeth. The vibrant oceanfront area is full of outdoor places for dining and drinking; head to the Boardwalk for a vast range of eateries, shopping and activities. Brooke’s Pavilion is also a favourite. Located right on the sea front, it has great views of the ocean. There are plenty of restaurants here offering exotic local fare, western food and seafood.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
Daytime activities are centred on the beach and ocean. There are plenty of water sports, including yachting, windsurfing and snorkelling, to be had. The calm waters here are excellent for scuba diving and learning to sail or windsurf.

There are three shopping malls to choose from, if you want to get away from the sun and sand. The Boardwalk is a favourite, with its many fast-food restaurants and shops, as well as a casino. The Greenacres Shopping Centre is the local favourite, while the Walmer Park Shopping Centre has many nice restaurants and shops.


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