Port Elizabeth, South Africa
48 hours in Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Where to stay, eat and play in Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth, nicknamed the Friendly City, is located on South Africa’s Eastern Cape coastline. Now officially renamed Gqeberha – though locals still lovingly call it PE – is a city with a sea-salted heart and a strong sense of community. Here, the beaches are big and blissfully uncrowded, the wildlife is wild in the truest sense and the pace? Wonderfully slow. Give it 48 hours and PE reveals its quiet charisma. There’s history and art hidden in the old stone buildings of Central, a surprisingly creative food scene bubbling up in unassuming spots, 16 kilometres of blue-flag beaches and more than 300 days of sunshine annually. Whether you’re here for the start of a Garden Route road trip, a pre-safari pause or just chasing the sunshine, this city is worth exploring. Let’s dive into what to do, where to eat and how to make the most of two full days in South Africa’s underrated coastal gem.
Day 01
15.00
Sleep in style at Singa Lodge
Singa Lodge is a 4-star boutique hotel situated in the seaside suburb of Summerstrand. Just a short stroll from the beach, this lodge offers a city retreat with a blend of Asian and African design elements. Handcrafted ceramic tiles underfoot and interchangeable silkscreen panels make the common lounges feel like shifting art installations, while a mosaic fountain splashes colour into the breakfast room. The lodge features 12 individually decorated suites with their own private patios overlooking the gardens, some of which feature deep soaking tubs framed by the lush garden visible through floor-to-ceiling glass doors. Outside, you’ll find a pool surrounded by wicker loungers and African sculptures. By night, the lantern-lit lapa and braai area invite you to sit back and sip on a single-malt whisky or local craft beer while enjoying the starlit skies.
Singa Lodge
15 Scarborough St
Summerstrand
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
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Photography courtesy of Singa Lodge
16.00
Sip something unexpected at Bohemia Art Galley & Wine Bar
Art, wine, good vibes – that’s what you’ll find at Bohemia Art Gallery & Wine Bar. As you step in, you’ll find the show-stopping wine wall – rows of wine bottles refilled weekly with fresh flowers, like a constantly evolving floral installation. Behind this wall, Bohemia unfolds – walls filled with a curated selection of art, quirky antiques and shelves stocked with rare wine bottles that blur the line between décor and display. Every element of the interior design was handpicked by the owner and brought to life with the help of Strukt Architects. Striking design features include the bespoke wallpaper, featuring the Vase of Flowers painting by Jan Davidsz De Heem, pink marble tables and two grand antique mirrors. The wine list? Eclectic and exciting – over 250 labels with a focus on boutique, small-batch and experimental wines.
Bohemia Art Gallery & Wine Bar
29 8th Avenue
Walmer
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Bohemia Art Gallery & Wine Bar
17.30
Golden hour cocktails at Sorella
Sorella Cicchetti & Cocktail Bar channels Italian la dolce vita through its laid-back, chic setting, located in the city’s edgy, industrial-chic Baakens Valley. Founded as the sister venue to Remo’s Italian Restaurant, Sorella is inspired by Italian culture and family traditions with a menu of Venetian-inspired small plates and inventive cocktails. The bar’s interior features industrial accents – exposed brick walls and wooden beams – alongside terrazzo floors, sculptural lighting and colourful furniture with iconic Italian wall décor. Behind the bar, you’ll find the lead mixologist Remo shaking up their signature craft cocktails. The Sorella signature cocktail is a must-try – Stambecco Maraschino liqueur, Campari, Fabri Maraschino cherry syrup, cranberry and lemon juice – simply delicious.
Sorella Cocktail & Cicchetti Bar
2 Alabaster St
South End
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Sorella Cocktail & Cicchetti Bar
19.00
A taste of Italy at Remo’s
Remo’s Italian was established in 2007 by brothers Renzo and Franco Scribante in memory of their late sibling, Remo Giuseppe Scribante. This Italian-inspired eatery brings people together with authentic, feel-good food inspired by traditional Italian cuisine, made by passionate people with real, quality ingredients. The interior features reclaimed wood tables, Edison-style lightbulbs and artful tiling that nods to traditional trattoria aesthetics. On the walls, you’ll see black-and-white family photos and original Scribante paintings, making you feel like you are in an Italian family home, not a restaurant. Start with the arancini stuffed with gorgonzola and chicken-liver bruschetta, inspired by recipes handed down by the Scribante brothers’ mother. For mains, try the Corsicano pizza – chorizo, gorgonzola and red-onion marmalade on a wood-fired crust – and Renzo’s Pasta, penne tossed with bacon, peppers, chilli and a house sauce. Pair that with an espresso martini – the best in town.
Remo’s Italian
1 Alabaster St
South End
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Remo’s Italian
Day 02
09.00
Try the best eggs Benedict in town
The Old Stamp House Café is a local favourite, housed in a refined heritage building. The Old Stamp House Café is chef Gustav’s latest venture, serving a café menu focused on authenticity and excellence, spotlighting local produce. The café’s vintage mid-century building was renovated and features reclaimed-wood tables, moody lighting and dark green walls that are adorned with local art. The space features separate dining rooms, each with only one or two tables, creating a cosy and intimate atmosphere. While the building and interiors are bursting with character, the breakfast is what locals rave about. This is the go-to spot for your eggs Benedict fix – their version of this breakfast classic is served on a rösti (Swiss version of hash browns) and we can confidently say no one makes a better hollandaise than them.
The Old Stamp House Café
180 Main Rd
Walmer
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
Photography courtesy of The Old Stamp House Café
11.00
Experience the city’s creative pulse
The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum was originally opened in 1956 as the King George VI Art Gallery and was renamed in 2002 to honour South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela. Framing the entrance to St George’s Park, its two buildings – the 1927 Arts Hall and the 1947 memorial wing – feature Art Deco ornamentation with neoclassical pilasters and ornate cornices. Inside, over 6,500 works span from 18th- and 19th-century oils, prints and works on paper to contemporary Eastern Cape art, British paintings and Oriental miniatures. Thematic displays showcase early Port Elizabeth depictions by Thomas Baines and Thomas Bowler alongside refreshing contemporary dialogues. The museum’s design also caters to reflection – high clerestory windows fill minimalist display cases with natural light, while the mezzanine café terrace invites you to pause while overlooking the park.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum
1 Park Dr
Port Elizabeth Central
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum
13.00
Lunch with a side of heritage
Heritage Café sits within a restored colonial-era precinct where original sash windows and lofty ceilings recall the area’s 19th-century roots. The café’s shaded courtyard and indoor-outdoor flow create an inviting ambience to enjoy a lunch basked in sunlight. Inside, the décor is an eclectic curation of upcycled furniture, vintage portraits and contemporary art, all set to a relaxed playlist that transitions seamlessly from morning chatter to afternoon repose. True to its name, this café takes heritage seriously and you’ll see that in the menu. Their open-faced sandwiches are a must – try the avocado and feta topping or if you’re up for trying something unique, go for the spicy chicken liver topping. Pair your lunch with their unique masala chai latte.
Heritage Café
25 Constitution Hill
Central Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Heritage Café
15.00
Take a stroll along the coast
The Sacramento Trail is a flat and easy 7.9-kilometre circular route through Sardinia Bay Nature Reserve between Schoenmakerskop and Sardinia Bay. The trail starts and ends at the bronze cannon memorial to the Portuguese galleon wrecked here on 30 June 1647. The path follows the coastline, offering uninterrupted sea views on one side and vegetated dunes and coastal scrub on the other. Along the way, you’ll encounter freshwater seepages and some of the largest living stromatolites in the world – bio-chemical rock formations dating back over 3.5 billion years. During the winter months, you might spot whales or dolphins offshore and a flurry of spring wildflowers dotting the dunes. You can opt to climb the dunes once you reach Sardinia Bay for stunning panoramic views of Algoa Bay – trust us, it’s worth the climb.
Sacramento Trail
1 Marine Dr
Schoenmakerskop
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Leon Janse Van Rensburg
19.00
Dinner that plays with flavour
Muse Restaurant is one of the restaurants that you cannot skip in Port Elizabeth – it’s the Eastern Cape’s fine-dining gem. Muse Restaurant was opened in 2015 by husband-wife duo Allan and Simone Bezuidenhout, with the vision of bringing nouvelle comfort cuisine to Port Elizabeth. They have been incredibly successful since their opening day, earning numerous accolades, including the latest crowning as the best restaurant in the Eastern Cape by South Africa Restaurant Awards. Muse’s kitchen is entirely in-house – from hand-rolled pastas and scratch-made sauces to in-house hydroponic vertical gardens growing vegetables and herbs – each component reflects a green footprint philosophy. Our favourite dishes include the fish cake starter with nori salt and roasted garlic aioli and the signature smoked pork belly plated with cashew stir-fry and maple jus.
Muse Restaurant
182 Main Rd
Walmer
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Muse Restaurant
Day 03
09.00
Breakfast under a living roof
Grass Roof is a farm-to-table café, bakery and market stall located in the leafy Lovemore Park suburb – immediately identifiable by its living grass-covered rooftop. The ethos here is simple – traceable ingredients, minimal waste and a menu that evolves with the farmers’ harvests. Breakfast must-haves include the farm-egg frittatas, house-made quiches and the farmhouse omelette filled with chorizo and cheddar cheese, all accented by fresh herbs from the on-site greenhouse. The bright, open dining room features reclaimed-wood tables, exposed beams and expansive windows that frame views of vegetable plots and pastures where rescue donkeys and barn cats roam freely. After breakfast, pop in at the adjoining farm stall where you’ll find homegrown produce, cut flowers and artisanal preserves.
Grass Roof
792 Heron Rd
Lovemore Park
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Grass Roof
Day 03
10.00
Spot some wild at Kragga Kamma Game Park
Just a 15-minute drive from Port Elizabeth’s city centre lies Kragga Kamma Game Park, a 203-hectare private reserve established in 2001 that houses South Africa’s iconic wildlife in a coastal forest and grassland setting. You can opt for a self-drive safari or join a guided game drive, navigating winding gravel roads for up-close views of white rhinos, African buffalo, cheetahs, giraffes and zebra herds. You can also take a stroll on the boardwalk through the monkey enclosure, which leads to a hide overlooking waterholes where nyala and bontebok gather. The park also offers cheetah-walk experiences, with insights into conservation efforts for this vulnerable species and bird-watching trails that crisscross coastal fynbos.
Kragga Kamma Game Park
259 Kragga Kamma Rd
Theescombe
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Kragga Kamma Game Park
12.00
A relaxed last lunch
Merak, the latest venture from the team behind Nolio Italian Bistro and Ozlo Tapas & Wine Bar, is one of Port Elizabeth’s latest trendy hotspots. The bright interior is contemporary with muted terracotta walls, brass accents and artful tilework. Merak offers a fusion of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, featuring small plates such as baba ganoush, lamb koftas and Moroccan steak tartare. Their wood-fired pizza oven produces crisp-edged flatbreads topped with inventive flavour combinations and upstairs you’ll find a modern sushi bar. They serve a special menu for lunch with dishes like lamb ragu pasta, red Thai curry mussels and a goat cheese salad for something lighter – we think the beef fillet medallions are a winner.
Merak
261 Main Rd
Walmer
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Merak
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