48 Hours in PE – what to see, what to do!

MMid-morning activity – pre lunch

Work up the appetite for lunch back at Hobie Beach. The recently upgraded Shark Rock Pier shares centre stage pier with the Boardwalk Hotel complex and is a gathering place for people to watch the swimmers and surfski paddlers out at sea. Take the plunge and splash out on some ocean kayaking or surfing.

Lunch time stop

Hungry?! The Blue Waters Café is popular so book ahead for a table with a view and order the fresh linefish. Barney’s Tavern is always lively and serves up tasty pub food and cold draught beer. PE’s essential charm is that it’s laid back and unassuming, The Beershack exemplifies this and offers a range of craft beer paired with substantial burgers rated by locals as being the best in the area.

Afternoon fun for the families

After lunch, head southwards along Marine Drive to the Cape Recife Nature Reserve. This wild deserted stretch of pristine beach and fynbos vegetation is suitably tranquil after the hubbub of the beachfront, and is best explored on foot along well-maintained trails.

You certainly won’t miss the black and white striped lighthouse, which rises up from the rocky shore with a wide blue sky as its backdrop.

SSunsets and sundowners

Sidewalk café culture in the quaint suburb of Richmond Hill is five minutes away from the beachfront and Stanley Street, and offers an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars. Packed most nights of the week, its charming sidewalk café culture provides a unique snapshot of Port Elizabeth’s diverse society. Or head back to Barney’s Tavern for a live band, the venue rocks until the early hours.

Day 2…

If you have extra time to spend in beautiful Eastern Cape, there are many gorgeous places to visit just hours away from PE. From Addo Elephant Park to the Blue Flag beaches on the South Coast, there is no shortage of things to do and see during the holiday season. We suggest you take a drive on day 2 of this beautiful area and explore.  

A good way to start Day 2 is to visit The Donkin Heritage Trail, an easy 5km meander in the footsteps of the 1820 settlers, passing 47 historical sites in Port Elizabeth, including Donkin Lighthouse, Donkin Pyramid, the city market Square, City Hall and Fort Frederick. A map can be obtained from the tourist office located at the lighthouse. Donkin Heritage Trail is a joy to anyone who loves historical tours as the rich history is not only charming but also fascinating. 

If you really looking for some fun, drive to Sundays River for a day of adventure. Sundays River Adventures is 5 minutes away from Addo Elephant National Park and offers adventures and fun with sandboarding, boat cruises and watersport activities. Boat rides, boat cruises, sandboarding and watersports are available to anyone looking for a good time.