26/03/2021
Inexpensive things to do in Port Elizabeth
South Africa’s friendliest city is also its most underrated. Port Elizabeth is a city on the sea with little to no traffic, great undercover restaurants, fresh sea air and easy access to incredible wildlife. In no particular order, here are our top budget-friendly things to do in Port Elizabeth and plenty of reasons to get up, out and exploring this special city.
Hip Stanley Street
The undisputed king of street cool, Stanley Street is Port Elizabeth’s answer to Jozi’s Maboneng, Durban’s Rivertown Precinct and Cape Town’s Bree Street. Choose from a variety of excellent restaurants. Set in Richmond, one of Port Elizabeth’s oldest suburbs, there is a friendly atmosphere with restaurant tables spilling out onto the sidewalk and fairy lights in the trees.
The wreck of the Sacramento
Visit the cannon of the wreck of the Sacramento and relive a piece of PE’s swashbuckling history. The Portuguese warship, The Sacramento, ran aground here at Schoenmakerskop outside Port Elizabeth on 30 June 1647. The 72 survivors attempted a perilous journey to a Mozambican port. Hire a guide for the day or go it alone with a copy of Guns of Sacramento by David and Geoffrey Allen. Entrance is free and there are wonderful coastal trails to do between Schoenmakerskop and Sardinia Bay.
Free tour of the Volkswagen AutoPavilion
Car lovers will be in heaven on a pre-booked tour at the Volkswagen Factory in Uitenhage. You’ll encounter the oldest kombi in South Africa, meet Herbie and see a car sliced in half by a laser!
Rhinos at Kragga Kamma
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. Even better, this is one of the free things to do in Port Elizabeth with your NMB pass! Kids under three years get free entry.
✔️
🏂