Swakopmund is the premier holiday destination in Namibia. During summer holidays Namibians flock to the coast to escape the heat of the interior, to relax and enjoy the various cafes and bistros that grace the town. The town is most commonly called Swakop or Swakkies although one of our friends likes to call it ‘that grey little town’ (more on the reasons for that later).
For many tourists, Swakopmund is not what they would expect from a Namibian town. Swakopmund has a distinctly Germanic flavour which reflects in the architecture, cuisine and a significant proportion of German speakers. Even the weather plays along – Swakopmund is often grey and misty. The cooler weather occurs because Swakopmund perches between the hot Namib Desert and the cold Atlantic Ocean. This positioning causes some sort of weird weather pattern resulting in Swakopmund not being the tropical beach paradise most people anticipate.
The town itself is a typical holiday town; it has pleasant arcades, plenty of restaurants, pubs, cafes and bistros and an array of curio shops.
Swakopmund jetty
Peter’s Antiques
Accommodation – Accommodation is abundant in Swakopmund, and there are establishments for all tastes and budgets. Booking in advance is always advised and essential during the busy Namibian summer school holiday period (December & early January)
Food – We’ve already touched on the towns German heritage, and several restaurants offer typical Germanic food – think schnitzel, sauerkraut, eisbein and currywurst. But the choice of food is plentiful with seafood restaurants, pizzerias and restaurants serving modern international cuisine.
Drink – The Brewer & Butcher at the Strand Hotel (overlooking Swakops main beach) serves craft beer on tap. As with the rest of Namibia Windhoek Lager is available everywhere along with a great selection of South African wines and international and local spirits.
Transportation – So long as your accommodation is not too far from the town centre, it is easy to walk around. However, at night it may be better to drive or take a taxi.
Apr 17, 2020