Guidebook for Port Elizabeth
Shopping
ACRES B&B
Fabulous prepared meals, just around the corner from our Cottage, fresh bakes every day.
Greenacres Shopping Centre
1 Ring RdEverything you need just a stone throw away
The new mall in PE, with entertainment, movie theathers, ice ring, kids area and all the shops you would need while on holiday
149 locals recommend
Baywest Mall
100 Baywest BlvdThe new mall in PE, with entertainment, movie theathers, ice ring, kids area and all the shops you would need while on holiday
Entertainment & Activities
On the first Saturday of every month head to the Valley Market for spicy paella, gourmet boerie rolls, crisp pizza bases, freshly baked artisan bread and smoothies. The Valley Market is open from 8am to 2pm. All entry proceeds go back to the community. Corner of Alabaster and Lower Valley Roads, Baakens Valley.
Valley Market
On the first Saturday of every month head to the Valley Market for spicy paella, gourmet boerie rolls, crisp pizza bases, freshly baked artisan bread and smoothies. The Valley Market is open from 8am to 2pm. All entry proceeds go back to the community. Corner of Alabaster and Lower Valley Roads, Baakens Valley.
Watch the Kaizer Chiefs take on Ajax Cape Town this Saturday in this 46,000 seater, five-tier stadium. R80 for a grand stands ticket. Book at Computicket. The stadium is home ground to the EP Kings, Southern Kings and Chippa United and also hosts Bafana Bafana and the Springboks. Your NMB pass entitles you to a free stadium tour, prior booking required. Contact the stadium to book and request the NMB Pass special. 70 Prince Alfred Rd.
28 locals recommend
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
70 Prince Alfred RdWatch the Kaizer Chiefs take on Ajax Cape Town this Saturday in this 46,000 seater, five-tier stadium. R80 for a grand stands ticket. Book at Computicket. The stadium is home ground to the EP Kings, Southern Kings and Chippa United and also hosts Bafana Bafana and the Springboks. Your NMB pass entitles you to a free stadium tour, prior booking required. Contact the stadium to book and request the NMB Pass special. 70 Prince Alfred Rd.
Blue flag status belongs to the Kings and Humewood beaches, however Hobie Beach is a great spot to launch a boat, play an invigorating game of volleyball, wind surf, swim or bask in some sun. The small rock pools are also interesting to explore especially for kids. Hobie Beach, Marine Drive.
Get the blood pumping, air in your lungs and take part in P.E.’s favourite Saturday morning activity. Every Saturday morning at 8am hundreds of runners from the community come together to enjoy their city and the sun and sea views. It’s free to participate, just register online before your first run.
11 locals recommend
PE Hobie Beach parkrun
Marine DriveBlue flag status belongs to the Kings and Humewood beaches, however Hobie Beach is a great spot to launch a boat, play an invigorating game of volleyball, wind surf, swim or bask in some sun. The small rock pools are also interesting to explore especially for kids. Hobie Beach, Marine Drive.
Get the blood pumping, air in your lungs and take part in P.E.’s favourite Saturday morning activity. Every Saturday morning at 8am hundreds of runners from the community come together to enjoy their city and the sun and sea views. It’s free to participate, just register online before your first run.
Restaurants, movies, shops, gambling, shows and much much more
12 locals recommend
Boardwalk AMPHITHEATRE
Marine DriveRestaurants, movies, shops, gambling, shows and much much more
Visit these wonderful birds in tuxedos at the SAMREC marine bird rehabilitation centre situated in the Cape Recife Reserve. Visitors can visit the hospital to learn more about caring for the injured birds. 041 583 1830. Visitors to SAMREC are exempt from the entrance fee to Cape Recife Nature Reserve.
27 locals recommend
SANCCOB Seabird Rehabilitation Centre
Marine DriveVisit these wonderful birds in tuxedos at the SAMREC marine bird rehabilitation centre situated in the Cape Recife Reserve. Visitors can visit the hospital to learn more about caring for the injured birds. 041 583 1830. Visitors to SAMREC are exempt from the entrance fee to Cape Recife Nature Reserve.
As much of an adrenaline rush as snow boarding, but available all year round, weather-independent, sand boarding at the Sundays River will give you the ultimate buzz as you ramp up the speed on near-vertical dunes. NMB Pass holders receive a free 3 hour sandboarding tour at Sundays River for groups of 7 or more, and a 50% discount if there are under 7 persons in the group, unless there is a trip running already (then it will be free). This includes boat transfer to dunes and back, sandboarding lessons and board hire. Minimum of 4 persons required for boat to launch. Call Karl on 0711856565 to book.
Kirkwood
As much of an adrenaline rush as snow boarding, but available all year round, weather-independent, sand boarding at the Sundays River will give you the ultimate buzz as you ramp up the speed on near-vertical dunes. NMB Pass holders receive a free 3 hour sandboarding tour at Sundays River for groups of 7 or more, and a 50% discount if there are under 7 persons in the group, unless there is a trip running already (then it will be free). This includes boat transfer to dunes and back, sandboarding lessons and board hire. Minimum of 4 persons required for boat to launch. Call Karl on 0711856565 to book.
Take the kids to McArthurs Swimming Pool for safe family-fun with a water chute and splash pool and two open-air warm freshwater pools, change rooms and a couple of restaurants. Life guards are always on duty at the complex giving parents that extra peace of mind. In season the pools are open seven days a week, from September to the following April. 041 582 2285. Beach Road, Humewood.
22 locals recommend
McArthur Pool & Leisure Centre
33 Beach RdTake the kids to McArthurs Swimming Pool for safe family-fun with a water chute and splash pool and two open-air warm freshwater pools, change rooms and a couple of restaurants. Life guards are always on duty at the complex giving parents that extra peace of mind. In season the pools are open seven days a week, from September to the following April. 041 582 2285. Beach Road, Humewood.
Kick up some of P.E.’s golden sand and surf and go for a saunter along the beach. Heavenly Stables offers a one hour free horse ride through the Sardinia Bay Nature Reserve with your NMB pass. Bookings essential at least two days prior. The rides are weather dependent. Open 7 days a week, from 9am to 5pm. Plot 431, Sardinia bay Road, Lovemore Park, Port Elizabeth. 081 890 7080.
61 locals recommend
Sardinia Bay Beach
Sardinia Bay RoadKick up some of P.E.’s golden sand and surf and go for a saunter along the beach. Heavenly Stables offers a one hour free horse ride through the Sardinia Bay Nature Reserve with your NMB pass. Bookings essential at least two days prior. The rides are weather dependent. Open 7 days a week, from 9am to 5pm. Plot 431, Sardinia bay Road, Lovemore Park, Port Elizabeth. 081 890 7080.
Food Scene
This farm stall/ patisserie/ restaurant with literal grass growing on the roof and an array of delectable breakfast, lunch and tea options will win over your heart and your stomach. Don’t miss their pizza evenings on the last Friday of every month. Call 041 366 2379. Open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Sunday. Find it on Olive Tree Farm on the Cnr of New Seaview and Heron Rd, Sardinia Bay.
74 locals recommend
Grass Roof
792 Heron RdThis farm stall/ patisserie/ restaurant with literal grass growing on the roof and an array of delectable breakfast, lunch and tea options will win over your heart and your stomach. Don’t miss their pizza evenings on the last Friday of every month. Call 041 366 2379. Open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Sunday. Find it on Olive Tree Farm on the Cnr of New Seaview and Heron Rd, Sardinia Bay.
A great place to get together with friends over milkshakes and club grillers. Full on nostalgia. 330 Cape Rd, Port Elizabeth. 041 365 1688. Great Burgers and old style drive in facility also available
Grillers
330 Cape RdA great place to get together with friends over milkshakes and club grillers. Full on nostalgia. 330 Cape Rd, Port Elizabeth. 041 365 1688. Great Burgers and old style drive in facility also available
Unstuffy fine dining with a sweeping view of the Indian Ocean. Great service and a visual and gastronomic feast, this is one of the best restaurants in the city with outside and inside seating options. This is Michelin chef Jonathan Hodder’s pièce de résistance. Their cocktail menu is a mixologist’s dream. Don’t miss their gourmet food and wine pairing evenings. Find them at the Beach Hotel, Marine Drive. Call 041 583 1229 to make a reservation.
30 locals recommend
Ginger The Restaurant
Marine DriveUnstuffy fine dining with a sweeping view of the Indian Ocean. Great service and a visual and gastronomic feast, this is one of the best restaurants in the city with outside and inside seating options. This is Michelin chef Jonathan Hodder’s pièce de résistance. Their cocktail menu is a mixologist’s dream. Don’t miss their gourmet food and wine pairing evenings. Find them at the Beach Hotel, Marine Drive. Call 041 583 1229 to make a reservation.
At the first stop at Dockside Brewery you’ll meet the brew master and get to ask him questions about the brewing process, you’ll also taste four different beers, enjoy some baked beer bread, before heading over to Bridge Street Brewery to meet their brew master. This is followed by 3 beer tasters, a cider taster and a savoury snack. Lastly you’ll visit the Beer Yard, taste 4 beers and get to order one of their rad pizzas or hamburgers. A minimum of 4 people are required per tour unless the tour is running already. Please enquire when booking. Call Gecko Tours to book on 082 464 6022.
67 locals recommend
Bridge Street Brewery
1 Bridge StAt the first stop at Dockside Brewery you’ll meet the brew master and get to ask him questions about the brewing process, you’ll also taste four different beers, enjoy some baked beer bread, before heading over to Bridge Street Brewery to meet their brew master. This is followed by 3 beer tasters, a cider taster and a savoury snack. Lastly you’ll visit the Beer Yard, taste 4 beers and get to order one of their rad pizzas or hamburgers. A minimum of 4 people are required per tour unless the tour is running already. Please enquire when booking. Call Gecko Tours to book on 082 464 6022.
South Africans all over the country have fallen in love with the fresh bread and pastries at Vovo Telo. It all started in Raleigh Street, Richmond Hill with wafts of freshly baked artisan bread drawing hungry customers. Inspired by an experience in Vovo Telo, a village in Madagascar, this bakery has become a series of popular slow-food restaurants. Choose from fresh ciabatta, sour dough, coconut loaf, brioche, rustic and rye to take away or eat breakfast, lunch, tea or dinner sitting down. The coffee comes highly recommended. 16 Raleigh Street, central Port Elizabeth. Call 041 585 5606.
38 locals recommend
Vovo Telo
182 Richmond Hill StSouth Africans all over the country have fallen in love with the fresh bread and pastries at Vovo Telo. It all started in Raleigh Street, Richmond Hill with wafts of freshly baked artisan bread drawing hungry customers. Inspired by an experience in Vovo Telo, a village in Madagascar, this bakery has become a series of popular slow-food restaurants. Choose from fresh ciabatta, sour dough, coconut loaf, brioche, rustic and rye to take away or eat breakfast, lunch, tea or dinner sitting down. The coffee comes highly recommended. 16 Raleigh Street, central Port Elizabeth. Call 041 585 5606.
Sightseeing
Car lovers will be in heaven on a pre-booked tour at the Volkswaggen Factory in Uitenhage. You’ll encounter the oldest kombi in South Africa, meet Herbie and see a car sliced in half by a laser. Tours cost to be confirmed, which is the only automobile discovery centre on the continent and only the fifth worldwide. Daily pre-booked factory tours includes a free tour of the AutoPavilion, no bookings are required for the AutoPavilion. 103 Algoa Rd, Uitenhage. Call ahead to book a fantastic free tour. Call 041 994 5941. Open weekdays between 8h30 and 16h00 and every first Saturday of the month from 10h00 to 13h00. Closed all other weekends & public holidays.
Volkswagen Factory and Museum
103 Algoa RdCar lovers will be in heaven on a pre-booked tour at the Volkswaggen Factory in Uitenhage. You’ll encounter the oldest kombi in South Africa, meet Herbie and see a car sliced in half by a laser. Tours cost to be confirmed, which is the only automobile discovery centre on the continent and only the fifth worldwide. Daily pre-booked factory tours includes a free tour of the AutoPavilion, no bookings are required for the AutoPavilion. 103 Algoa Rd, Uitenhage. Call ahead to book a fantastic free tour. Call 041 994 5941. Open weekdays between 8h30 and 16h00 and every first Saturday of the month from 10h00 to 13h00. Closed all other weekends & public holidays.
The bones of the Algoasaurus, a unique dinosaur to the Nelson Mandela Bay Area related to the Brontosaurus, were discovered near Despatch in 1903. The Port Elizabeth Brick and Tile Company was quarrying for brick-making materials when the brickmakers stumbled across the bones, unfortunately they didn’t realise what they’d found and ground up some of the bones for bricks. Luckily quite a few remained which enabled the archaeologist Robert Broom to construct a likeness of the dinosaur. The museum is the third oldest of its kind in South Africa. Other interesting exhibits include a skeleton of the last Southern right whale harpooned in the bay, and a replica of the Dias Cross. Open Monday to Su
33 locals recommend
Bayworld
23 Beach RdThe bones of the Algoasaurus, a unique dinosaur to the Nelson Mandela Bay Area related to the Brontosaurus, were discovered near Despatch in 1903. The Port Elizabeth Brick and Tile Company was quarrying for brick-making materials when the brickmakers stumbled across the bones, unfortunately they didn’t realise what they’d found and ground up some of the bones for bricks. Luckily quite a few remained which enabled the archaeologist Robert Broom to construct a likeness of the dinosaur. The museum is the third oldest of its kind in South Africa. Other interesting exhibits include a skeleton of the last Southern right whale harpooned in the bay, and a replica of the Dias Cross. Open Monday to Su
There are awesome views of the city from the top of Donkin lighthouse, which now serves as a tourist office. Built in 1961, it’s over a 150 years old. Visit between 8am and 4:30pm weekdays and Saturdays 9:30am to 3:30pm. Belmont Terrace, Donkin Street. Call 041 582 2575.
68 locals recommend
The Donkin Reserve
There are awesome views of the city from the top of Donkin lighthouse, which now serves as a tourist office. Built in 1961, it’s over a 150 years old. Visit between 8am and 4:30pm weekdays and Saturdays 9:30am to 3:30pm. Belmont Terrace, Donkin Street. Call 041 582 2575.
The museum, run by volunteers, commemorates the tragic destruction of the once diverse South End community as a result of Apartheid. The floor of the museum traces the streets as they used to be and pays homage to broken lives and a ruptured community. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, and 10am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday. Cnr of Humewood Road & Walmer Boulevard, South End. No entrance fee but donations are encouraged for maintenance of the museum. Call 041 582 3325.
22 locals recommend
South End Museum
The museum, run by volunteers, commemorates the tragic destruction of the once diverse South End community as a result of Apartheid. The floor of the museum traces the streets as they used to be and pays homage to broken lives and a ruptured community. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, and 10am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday. Cnr of Humewood Road & Walmer Boulevard, South End. No entrance fee but donations are encouraged for maintenance of the museum. Call 041 582 3325.
You can explore the interior of this picturesque light house, or do the 9km walk around the reserve taking in unspoilt beaches, wild flowers and you might even spot some whales. Phone Pine Lodge Holiday Resort in advance to arrange a time and guide to visit the lighthouse. 041 583 4004. To enter the reserve you need to buy a permit at Pine Lodge Holiday Resort at the entrance. Or you can combine a trip to SAMREC with a 4×4 tour of the Cape Reserve and Grysbok Nature Reserve, free with a NMB pass- just contact Alan Tours to book in advance. 041 378 1486
22 locals recommend
Cape Recife Lighthouse (Est. 1851)
You can explore the interior of this picturesque light house, or do the 9km walk around the reserve taking in unspoilt beaches, wild flowers and you might even spot some whales. Phone Pine Lodge Holiday Resort in advance to arrange a time and guide to visit the lighthouse. 041 583 4004. To enter the reserve you need to buy a permit at Pine Lodge Holiday Resort at the entrance. Or you can combine a trip to SAMREC with a 4×4 tour of the Cape Reserve and Grysbok Nature Reserve, free with a NMB pass- just contact Alan Tours to book in advance. 041 378 1486
Parks & Nature
Just a short drive from the city is Kragga Kamma, a haven for free-roaming White Rhino, Buffalo, Cheetah, Giraffe, Zebra, Nyala, Bontebok and Lechwe. It’s possible to take a reasonably-priced game drive or do a self-drive.
131 locals recommend
Kragga Kamma Game Park
162 Christian RdJust a short drive from the city is Kragga Kamma, a haven for free-roaming White Rhino, Buffalo, Cheetah, Giraffe, Zebra, Nyala, Bontebok and Lechwe. It’s possible to take a reasonably-priced game drive or do a self-drive.
40km out of PE, Van Staden’s Flower Reserve protects rare and endemic plants. The gates are open from 7:30am to 6pm in summer at close at 5pm in winter (1 May¬31 August). There is no entry fee. While there be sure to visit the traditional Xhosa umzi (homestead) and learn about traditional Xhosa culture.
8 locals recommend
Van Stadens Wild Flower Local Authority Nature Reserve
40km out of PE, Van Staden’s Flower Reserve protects rare and endemic plants. The gates are open from 7:30am to 6pm in summer at close at 5pm in winter (1 May¬31 August). There is no entry fee. While there be sure to visit the traditional Xhosa umzi (homestead) and learn about traditional Xhosa culture.
Where else in the world can you see the big five plus the southern right whale and great white shark! This wide-spanning reserve also boasts the best elephant viewing in the country.
348 locals recommend
Addo Elephant National Park
Where else in the world can you see the big five plus the southern right whale and great white shark! This wide-spanning reserve also boasts the best elephant viewing in the country.
With your NMBT pass you get a free 2,5 hour river cruise on the Sundays River Ferry and an opportunity to explore the world renowned Alexandria/Colchester dune fields. 121 Aquavista Crescent, Cannonville, Sundays River Estuary, Port Elizabeth. Call 041 468 0140.
13 locals recommend
Sundays River Adventures
With your NMBT pass you get a free 2,5 hour river cruise on the Sundays River Ferry and an opportunity to explore the world renowned Alexandria/Colchester dune fields. 121 Aquavista Crescent, Cannonville, Sundays River Estuary, Port Elizabeth. Call 041 468 0140.
Essentials
Netcare Greenacres Hospital
Rochelle RoadFor the best medical care
Getting Around
Uber Port Elizabeth
Contact PE Uber for your traveling needs