Gqeberha, still widely known by its old name of Port Elizabeth, is the big city of South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Most travellers use it as a springboard to the nearby Addo Elephant National Park, or as the end point of a Garden Route drive, and hurry on. But the self-styled Friendly City has enough of its own to justify a night or two. So is Gqeberha worth stopping for? For most, the honest answer is a qualified yes, and as a warm-but-restless sort myself, I have a soft spot for a place that leads with friendliness.

This guide covers the best of Gqeberha itself, plus the wildlife on its doorstep that makes it such a useful base.

Beaches in the City

Gqeberha’s biggest asset is its long, warm-water beachfront on Algoa Bay. Blue Flag beaches like Hobie Beach, Kings Beach, and Humewood offer sheltered swimming, surfing, and a lively promenade, all close to the centre. Few South African cities put good, safe beaches quite so near downtown, which makes the city an easy place to relax between longer legs of a trip.

History on Donkin Hill

The historic Donkin Reserve is the heart of the old town and its best walk. Here you will find the stone pyramid that Sir Rufane Donkin built in the 1820s in memory of his wife Elizabeth, after whom the city was named, and the Donkin Lighthouse of 1861, which now houses the tourist office. The Donkin Reserve anchors the Route 67 public art trail, sixty-seven artworks marking the sixty-seven years Nelson Mandela gave to public life, and history-minded as I am, I found it a genuinely moving way to spend a morning. For a fuller list of ideas, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism has a good round-up of things to do.

The Gateway to Addo

The real draw nearby is Addo Elephant National Park, less than an hour from the city and home to more than 600 elephants, along with lions, buffalo, and zebra. It is one of the country’s best and most accessible reserves, malaria-free and easy to explore on a self-drive safari. Gqeberha is the natural base for a visit, and the combination of a Big Five park an hour from a beach city is hard to beat.

Other Attractions

• Bayworld, a museum, oceanarium, and snake park on the Summerstrand seafront.
• The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, built for the 2010 World Cup, which offers behind-the-scenes tours.
• Boat trips out into Algoa Bay, home to large populations of penguins and dolphins around St Croix and Bird islands.

You can read more about the city’s history and its recent renaming on its Wikipedia page.

Where It Fits on a Trip

Gqeberha marks the eastern end of the Garden Route, so it pairs naturally with the Tsitsikamma forests around Storms River and the lagoon village of Wilderness to the west, with many travellers driving the whole way from Mossel Bay. From here, most continue inland to Addo or fly onward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gqeberha worth visiting? Yes, for a night or two. Its Blue Flag beaches, the historic Donkin Reserve and Route 67 art trail, and its role as the gateway to Addo Elephant National Park make it more rewarding than its reputation suggests.

What is Gqeberha the gateway to? Addo Elephant National Park, a malaria-free Big Five reserve less than an hour away, as well as the eastern end of the Garden Route.

Why was Port Elizabeth renamed Gqeberha? The city was officially renamed Gqeberha in 2021 as part of a broader move to replace colonial-era names, though the old name Port Elizabeth remains in common use.

Final Thoughts

Gqeberha will not top many bucket lists, but it is friendlier and more rewarding than its workaday reputation suggests. With beaches in the city, history on Donkin Hill, and elephants an hour away, the Friendly City earns its place on an Eastern Cape itinerary.