Port Elizabeth, or PE, is part of the Sunshine Coast, called this for its many sunny days every year. Port Elizabeth is the second largest city in South Africa with a population of 1.1 million. It is also called ‘The Friendly City’.

The beach

PE is known for its 40km sandy white beaches along the shores of Algoa Bay.

All that sunshine

PE has moderate temperatures and scattered rainfall throughout the year. Summers are warm and winters are mild. Water sports are possible round the year.

Convenience

Many visitors linger in Port Elizabeth without intending to. Not only is the city laid back, it is convenient. Many attractions, like the beach and game parks are nearby. PE is a good base from which to explore them. Also, it is a good place to get things done that you’ve been putting off on the trip – getting your visa extended, getting your legs waxed, doing your banking – all the admin that is best done in a city.

At a crossroads

Two low cost airlines, Kulula and 1time, fly into PE from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. This is useful if you want only want to explore parts of the coastline. From PE, you can venture down the coast into Jeffreys Bay and the Garden Route, up the coast into the Wild Coast or inland to Graaff-Reinett and Nieu Bethesda in the Karoo or Grahamstown, the home of the National Arts Festival.