Port Elizabeth: Tourism, shopping and much more!
Port Elizabeth (also shortened by locals to PE) is the most populous city in the Eastern Cape province. Located about 770 km east of Cape Town and 1,600 km south of Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth was founded in 1820 by British settlers. With its oceanic climate, Port Elizabeth has cool but mild winters, yet its summers are quite hot (even though they are less humid than other northerly parts of the east coast). Since extreme heat or cold is rare, it’s little wonder that PE is regarded as one of South Africa’s prime holiday destinations, and also one of the world’s top five cities for pleasant weather.
Being a hotspot for tourism, Port Elizabeth presents its share of attractions, which includes the city’s numerous structures crafted in “old-school” architectural styles like Victorian and Late Georgian. And approximately 40 km west of the city we find the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve that offers beautifully maintained paths for those seeking a hike, splendid views, and comfy picnic spots. But it’s the beaches scattered in and around the city that really aids in PE’s enticing reputation, most notably the two most popular swimming beaches: Kings Beach and Hobie Beach.
Locals and visitors up for game viewing in the PE area can count on the much-loved Addo Elephant National Park, a mere 72 km outside the city. Port Elizabeth is also known as a popular destination for whale watching, especially humpback whales, southern right whales, and Brydes whales.
But it’s not just the natural splendour that aids in the city’s reputation, as Port Elizabeth also caters to those in need of some proper retail therapy...
Port Elizabeth: Map for shopping
With numerous malls and stores scattered throughout the city, shoppers in Port Elizabeth certainly have options.
Like Greenacres Shopping Centre which has been known as a prime shopping destination since opening in 1981. Here, over 96 fashion- and food outlets are awaiting, including Cape Union Mart, Sterns, and Tidy Tucs.
Over in the more recently built Baywest Mall in Hunters Retreat, locals and tourists keep returning for the mall’s sublime mixture of fashion, food and fun via 180+ stores. Some of the retailers open for business include Billabong, Clicks, and House & Home.
Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre in Charlo presents a modern, clean and classic structure aiming to meet any shopper’s needs. Baby City, Dogz and Company, and Galaxy Bingo are just a few examples of retailers to be found here.
Those finding themselves near the leafy suburb of Walmer simply can’t miss the Walmer Park shopping centre. Consisting of more than 150 stores, Walmer Park is perfect for those seeking both national and international brands like Earth Child, Absolute Pets, and Kauai.
For something less sleek and glittery, try the Ezamaxhosa flea market. Situated in Summerstrand, Ezamaxhosa offers uniquely South African goodies (supplied by over 145 crafters in the Eastern Cape) like rural beads, ceramic products, and local foods and drinks.