Port Elizabeth: Art, Route 67 and City History

Port Elizabeth combines a distinctive urban history with public art. Route 67 leads from the city centre via the steps at St Mary’s Terrace to the Donkin Reserve and the Great Flag on the hill. Historic buildings, a monument in the square and diverse art collections add further dimensions to the city. You can plan your trip around whether you mainly want to explore architecture and culture or also include destinations in the wider Nelson Mandela Bay area.

Route 67 and views of the city

In the wider destination of Nelson Mandela Bay, Route 67 comprises 67 public artworks. They symbolise Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of service to the cause of South African freedom. The specific route section in Port Elizabeth runs via the steps at St Mary’s Terrace to the Donkin Reserve and the Great Flag on the hill. The Donkin Reserve offers views of Gqeberha, the harbour and Algoa Bay. The art trail and the viewpoint offer different highlights: one focuses on artistic commemoration, the other on views of the city and coast.

Guided tours of Route 67 are available from the Donkin Visitor Information Office in the lighthouse building. Check whether they are available before your visit. If you would like to learn more about the artworks, a guided tour may be of interest when planning your trip; you can also follow the route using the locations mentioned above.

Squares, architectural history and collections

The colonial-style City Hall stands in Vuyisile Mini Square. The building dates from the mid-19th century, and its clock tower was added in 1883. The City Hall was recognised as a National Monument in 1973. A replica of the Diaz Cross stands in the same square. It commemorates Bartholomew Diaz’s arrival in Algoa Bay in 1488. Architectural and maritime history meet here in one place, without the need to artificially separate these themes.

No. 7 Castle Hill tells a different story of city life. The building was completed in 1825 and opened as a museum in 1965 after renovation work. Located on Castle Hill Road in Central, it features yellowwood floors and beams, as well as a restored slate roof. Exhibits include a doll’s house, lacework and a kitchen. Check current access arrangements separately before visiting.

The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum offers another cultural highlight. Its collections include South African art, particularly from the Eastern Cape, British art and international prints. There is also Oriental art, including Indian miniatures and Chinese textiles. The range brings together regional connections and art from other contexts. If you like to plan your trip around different artistic perspectives, you will find a different focus here from the monuments and historic buildings.

More to explore in the wider Nelson Mandela Bay area

The landscapes and nature destinations of the wider Nelson Mandela Bay area can also add to your plans. Algoa Bay, the coastal region of Nelson Mandela Bay, has 40 kilometres of beaches. The Donkin Reserve combines views of Gqeberha, the harbour and the bay with the urban setting of Route 67; the coastal region offers a distinct scenic highlight.

Kragga Kamma Game Park encompasses coastal forests and grasslands, home to white rhinos, lions, buffalo, cheetahs, giraffes and zebras. Guided game drives and self-guided wildlife viewing are among the activities on offer there. Sightings of individual species are not guaranteed; also check the current arrangements before visiting. Nature and wildlife viewing are quite different from a day spent exploring the city’s artworks, squares and collections.

In Uitenhage, also in the wider Nelson Mandela Bay area, the Drostdy Museum documents the historical development of the town and surrounding districts. It is located at 50 Caledon Street and houses exhibitions on toys, porcelain and clothing, as well as an archive library. The museum broadens the perspective on regional history with a dedicated site and a different collection.

When choosing a holiday rental, it may help to decide on your priorities first: city history and art in Port Elizabeth, or additional destinations in the wider Nelson Mandela Bay area as well.

Discover more destinations: Clarendon Marine, Uitenhage.

View the wider travel overview: Nelson Mandela Bay.