{"id":103619,"date":"2018-07-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-07-02T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelstartblg.wpenginepowered.com\/port-elizabeth\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:55:01","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:55:01","slug":"port-elizabeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/port-elizabeth\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Reasons to Visit Port Elizabeth, One of the Coolest Cities in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Updated July 2020]<\/p>\n

Port Elizabeth is fast becoming one of the coolest cities in South Africa. Even the sassy folk from Cape Town and Joburg can\u2019t seem to resist its sunny boulevards and easy charm.<\/p>\n

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Image courtesy of @nelsonmandelabay<\/a> via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is a big city with a big personality, a secret underground creative culture<\/strong>, some of the coolest bars and eateries this side of the equator, and great stories<\/strong>, one of which involves a sultan and a ewe.<\/p>\n

But here is a list of 10 reasons why we<\/em> think you should visit Port Elizabeth, one of the coolest cities in South Africa.<\/p>\n

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Image courtesy of @neliajoubert<\/a> via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. The beautiful haunted Opera House<\/h2>\n

The city has a lot of beautiful old architecture, but the Victorian Opera House is one of the most interesting. The oldest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, this grand cabaret-style theatre was opened in 1892 and is said to have been built on the site of an old gallows<\/strong>. Its history of hauntings is long and colourful, much like its history of hosting spectacular ballets, operas, and musicals.<\/p>\n

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Image courtesy of @pietwiet_boshoff<\/a> via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Opera House<\/strong> hosts regular productions and performances.<\/p>\n

Tip. Another amazing piece of architecture from way back when is the Gothic public library<\/strong> in Market Square<\/strong>. It is currently closed for renovations.<\/em><\/p>\n

Did you know: <\/strong>The Grand Hotel is said to have once hosted famous guests such as Mark Twain<\/strong> and Winston Churchill<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Image courtesy of @charmainelindhorstjoubert<\/a> via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Cradle for creativity<\/h2>\n

Port Elizabeth is famous for Route 67<\/strong>, an art journey that celebrates the years Nelson Mandela devoted himself to the freedom struggle, but that is just a tip of the artsy iceberg. Colourful murals and artwork hidden under bridges hint at a creative culture that is giving rise to a new generation of homegrown artists.<\/p>\n

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Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum<\/strong>, The Athen\u00e6um<\/strong>, and artEC Community Centre<\/strong> are just three institutions that are helping the creative movement find its voice. Live performances, poetry evenings, exhibitions, book launches, doodle nights, and walkabouts with artists are regular events.<\/p>\n

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The Underculture Contemporary Art Gallery<\/strong> hosts several pop-up exhibitions throughout the year that challenge the norm by presenting powerful, relevant, and captivating exhibitions by young conceptual artists. Galerie NOKO<\/strong> is another popular gallery that is known for its abstract and socio-political themes.<\/p>\n

But it extends beyond that too. Even the restaurants and tattoo studios have become hubs for talent and creativity to bloom.<\/p>\n

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3. South Africa\u2019s hot new food scene<\/h2>\n

A few years ago, the food scene in Port Elizabeth was still finding its groove, but today it is blossoming into something quite spectacular. Some of the coolest bars and restaurants in Port Elizabeth are in Richmond Hill<\/strong>, which is the heart of the culinary magic.<\/p>\n

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ASADA<\/strong> is a seafood grill and smokehouse and the place to be if you want to try Creole and Argentinian fire pit cuisine. If you prefer to spend your evenings with a taco in one hand and a margarita in the other, Tilting Heads Taco Cafe and Margarita Bar<\/strong> is a top-notch Mexican cantina.<\/p>\n

And if sushi is more your thing,\u00a0FUSHIN<\/strong>\u00a0has won numerous awards for its exotic dishes and is known to make the best sushi in Port Elizabeth.<\/p>\n

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The Valley Market & Goodnight Market<\/a> and Baakens Food Truck Funday<\/a> are also a must-visit if you want an afternoon of artisanal food, live entertainment, and general shenanigans.<\/p>\n

We recommend:<\/strong> Explore the caf\u00e9 culture of Stanley Street during the day and come back in the evening to experience the dinner ambience and nightlife bustle.<\/p>\n

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4. Beertopia<\/h2>\n

Creativity has even spread to the microbreweries in Port Elizabeth. Local breweries such as Bridge Street Brewery<\/strong>, Dockside Brewery<\/strong>, and Richmond Hill Brewing Co.<\/strong> are experimenting with bold artisanal brews that beer lovers will find wildly interesting and worth the trip.<\/p>\n

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Image courtesy of @kellieharris30<\/a> via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the non-beer drinkers:<\/strong> the hard lemonade called Jane Doe from Richmond Hill Brewing Co. or get your hands on locally made Rhino Rum from Brickmakers Distilling Co. <\/em><\/p>\n

We recommend:<\/strong> The Hop on Beer Route<\/strong> will take you to Bridge Street Brewery, Dockside Brewery, and Beer Yard<\/strong>, where you can taste the local brews and experience the vibe of the city.<\/p>\n

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Image courtesy of @bymybootstraps<\/a> via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. Oldest coffee roastery in South Africa<\/h2>\n

Even the coffee devotees will find warmth and happiness on a visit to Port Elizabeth.<\/p>\n

Mastertons, legendary purveyors of hand-roasted coffee, opened their first tea and coffee house in Port Elizabeth in 1924, making them the oldest roastery in South Africa. The city even has its own Mastertons blend known as Blend of the Bay<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Address:<\/strong> 92 Main Road, Walmer, Port Elizabeth<\/p>\n

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6. Bottlenose dolphin capital of the world<\/h2>\n

Home to thousands of playful bottlenose dolphins and a hotspot for visiting orcas and humpback dolphins, Algoa Bay was named the ‘Bottlenose Capital of the World’ <\/strong>in 2016. The city even hosts an annual Dolphin Festival to celebrate its flippered friends.<\/p>\n

We recommend:<\/strong> Join\u00a0a boat cruise to get up close and personal with the dolphins of Port Elizabeth.<\/p>\n

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Image courtesy of @peopleofpe<\/a> via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7. Nightlife made for good times<\/h2>\n

By night, the city comes alive with fairy lights and music as the taprooms<\/strong>, cocktail lounges<\/strong>, and bars<\/strong> fill up with people. Whether you are looking for a nightcap after dinner, live music and a few drinks, a rowdy good time, or dancing until 4am, the nightlife options are varied and promise a fun night out.<\/p>\n

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Image courtesy of @samantolik<\/a> via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Music Kitchen<\/strong>, Beer Yard and<\/strong>\u00a0Beer Shack <\/strong>all host live music nights and are great places to hang out when the sun goes down. Pool City<\/strong>, a pool lounge in Walmer, regularly hosts live bands and tribute nights to rock \u2018n\u2019 roll legends.<\/p>\n

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CLASSIC NIGHT OF BLUES! Gerald Clark, Michael Canfield, Joe Van Der Linden and James Smith.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

A post shared by The music kitchen PE<\/a> (@musickitchenpe) on