Swakopmund

Get around

As with other Namibian cities, there is no public transport in Swakopmund. But the city is small enough to get around easily on foot. All the major attractions and facilities are in the centre. It´s hard to get a taxi in city centre (there are no taxis on a Saturday after 19:00), but once you get one it takes you wherever you want for the same rate as the Windhoek Taxis. A trip to Walvis Bay shouldn´t be more than N$40.

Do

Swakopmund is Namibia's adventure capital, and there's a great selection of activities to try out on land, sea and in the air. Tours and activities may also be booked once you're in Swakopmund.

Buy

thumb|Brauhaus Arcade Many Namibians travel to Swakopmund for shopping. While the selection is not as wide as in the capital, you can really buy everything you need here. There are several nice shops in Swakop selling souvenirs and art; in particular if you're interested in traditional African silver jewelry. There is also a very good craft market near the lighthouse, which has a lot of items which are difficult to find elsewhere in Namibia.

Eat

Typical local cuisine is a combination of the hearty German cuisine, and fish and seafood of the ocean. Being a resort city, many restaurants are located in hotels. For some of the most popular ones you will need to book a few days ahead, especially on weekends and holidays.

An average sit-down restaurant meal costs around N$150-300, and on top of that it's customary to leave a tip of 10%. thumbnail|Sam Nujoma Avenue

Drink

thumbnail|Homebrewed beer from a street vendor is also an option This is Jägermeister country and don't forget to sample the famous, locally brewed Hansa Draught. There is also a local independent craft brewery, called Namib Dunes.

Stay safe

Swakopmund is generally a safe city, though you should follow some basic rules: Don't leave valuables visible in your car. Park at guarded parking lots if possible. It's customary to tip the guards N$5, and N$10-20 for a multiple hour stay. Guards knock off when the restaurants close; park at your accommodation overnight. Avoid walking alone at night and deserted streets. Strangers that may come and talk to you on the street are often up to no good. This is a frequent occurrence and may involve aggressive or persistent panhandling. New arrivals are especially targeted. Sunburn is a real risk for everyone (you're in the tropics!), particularly on a cold and foggy day where you do not notice how much UV is hitting your skin.

Be careful when swimming in the ocean. There is a strong northwards current (the Benguela Current), the water just a few meters away from the beach is icy all year round, and the waves are forceful. Locals swim right opposite Strand Hotel where the breakwater protects them, and so should you.

Go next

Swakopmund is a good starting point for trips up the Skeleton Coast. A good day-trip would be south from Swakop to Walvis Bay, Namibia's port town. The road to Walvis Bay provides good views of the Namib dunes meeting the Atlantic. thumb|Cape Cross Seal Colony 120 km north of Swakopmund lies Cape Cross, where every October to December about 100,000 of the Cape Fur Seals breed. The sight and the noise (and also the smell) is absolutely breathtaking! The name Cape Cross comes from a stone cross erected 1486 by the Portuguese Diego Cáo. Entry fee to the nature reserve is N$10. Accommodation at the Cape Cross Lodge. For hobby botanists a half day trip to the south east on the Moon landscape drive will take you to the legendary Welwitschia mirabilis, as well as other desert-adapted plants, abandoned mining equipment, and an unbelievable landscape. The drive crosses the Swakop River, and there is no bridge. There is also no water in the river, we're in Namibia after all! An ordinary sedan can achieve the river crossing (deep sand) with deflated tyres and an experienced driver. Don't forget to bring a pump, or else the rest of the rather challenging road will destroy tyres and the rims. In a place where there is no rain for decades the only water source the Welwitschia uses is humidity. They can become over 1000 years old and only live in this part of the Namib desert, up to 120 km away from the coast. Be careful not to walk too close to the plants (roots easily destroyed) or even t…