Port Elizabeth, also known by its isiXhosa name Gqeberha and nicknamed The Friendly City, is a major port city on the coast of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. It is a working city first, home to the port and to the country's automotive manufacturing industry, but its beaches are the reason many visitors come to stay.
Why visit
The city is known for its beautiful beaches, which give it a relaxed seaside character. Walking or driving along the coast is a simple way to see the shoreline and the city together. Visitors who enjoy the ocean will find the beaches the most natural place to spend time.
Around the city
Port Elizabeth is part of the Garden Route tourism corridor, a stretch of coast that many travellers explore by road. This makes the city a practical base or stopover for those wanting to continue along the coast after their time in town.
- Beaches along the coastline, suited to a slow, sea-focused visit
- A working port city, offering a view of the country's industry
- Its place on the Garden Route, for onward coastal travel
If you are planning a trip to South Africa's south-east coast, Port Elizabeth makes a sensible destination. Plan your time around the beaches, allow a little extra for the drive along the Garden Route, and expect a city that is more practical and industrial than polished, with a warm welcome that gives it its nickname.
