Location: South Africa » Eastern Cape » Sunshine Coast » Port Elizabeth Region » Port ElizabethThe San and Khoisan were the first inhabitants of the Algoa Bay area thousands of years ago. In the 17th and 18th centuries the Xhosa moved south to the Eastern Cape.
The first Europeans to visit the bay were the Portuguese in 1488, when Bartolomeu Dias landed at St Croix Island. The bay renamed unnamed for centuries, marked on the map simply as “landing place with fresh water”. The bay became part of the Cape Colony in 1652, first ruled by the Dutch and then the British. During the 1800s the Eastern Frontier say a 100 years of warfare between the British and the Xhosa – Fort Frederick was built in 1799 and many other fortifications throughout the eastern frontier followed. It was also at this time that thousands of British and German Settlers arrived to settle in and stabilise the colony, the largest group being the 1820 Settlers.
Port Elizabeth was founded as a town in 1820 as a centre for the newly arrived British Settlers at Algoa Bay. It was founded by Sir Rufane Shaw Donkin, acting Cape Governor, who named the new settlement for his wife Elizabeth. The settlement grew, and in 1873 the railway line from Kimberly reached the port. The Donkin Heritage Trail takes visitors to historic settlers sites, centred around the old suburb of Central.
The apartheid years also took their toll on this quiet coastal city, with the Group Areas Act resulting in forced removals in the early 1960s from PE’s South End. Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko was beaten so badly by police in Port Elizabeth that he later died in police custody. During the 1960s and 1970s the PE city centre went into decline, partly because of the moving of the university from the centre to the outskirts of the city and partly due to the building of a series of highways passing over the old city centre, causing it to be dark and unsightly.
Since the end of apartheid and the first democratic elections in 1994 PE has experienced many of the challenges as the rest of the country, including reintegration and reconciliation, poverty, HIV/AIDS and crime. However, because of the city’s status as the largest in the province, a major auto industry and a booming tourism industry, PE is continuing to grow and develop. The old Central area near the city centre is undergoing a revitalisation, with beautiful old buildings being restored and partly thanks to the Donkin Heritage Trail.
Accommodation in and around Port Elizabeth La Cigale Country Estate - Conference & Wedding Venue accommodation in Port Elizabeth
La Cigale is a All In One Venue, specialising in weddings, conferences, self-catering accommodation and corporate functions.Conveniently located on a sea facing nature reserve only 10 minutes away from Port Elizabeth Airport and the city ce... More
 Aqua Sands Guesthouse accommodation in Port Elizabeth
Spacious air-conditioned rooms with silk or velvet bed throws and percale cotton for the discerning guest. Gourmet breakfasts and unique ocean view from an architecturally spectacular patio start your day. Relax at the large heated pool. Sauna... More
 80 on Brighton accommodation in Port Elizabeth
80 on Brighton is a luxury bed and breakfast establishment offering 5 star accommodation in the up market beachfront suburb of Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth. It reflects the owner’s love of gardening, creating a tranquil, relaxed atmosphere from... More
 Admiralty Beach House accommodation in Port Elizabeth
The Admiralty Beach House is a guesthouse offering tourists & the discerning business person choice modern accommodation. Eight unique, luxury units offer style, comfort and privacy. All have full bathrooms, separate entrances, private patios and... More
 Houtbosch Bay accommodation in Port Elizabeth
Houtbosch Bay, highly recommended by the AA and with a three star grading by the Tourism Grading Council, can accommodate up to 40 people and is therefore ideal accommodation for tour groups, functions, conferences and weddings... More
 Sandkasteel accommodation in Port Elizabeth
Situated 30m from Dolphin Beach and close to the world famous Supertubes Surfing break you will find the Mediterranean styled holiday resort, Sandkasteel. We invite you to sit back, soak up the sun, enjoy the relaxed... More
 Savoy Hotel - Jeffreys bay accommodation in Port Elizabeth
Our 3-star hotel is 100m from the main beach & in the centre of the shopping mecca. The emphasis is on comfort/family enjoyment. 37 Rooms with TV. Staff are dedicated to your comfort & pleasure. Dine to the rhythm of the ocean in El Savore a ... More
 Homeleigh Halt accommodation in Port Elizabeth
Homeleigh Halt Guest House offers you luxury accommodation in the beautiful garden suburb of Walmer, Port Elizabeth, within 15 minutes from all major attractions.All rooms are ensuite with own entrances, satellite TV (DSTV commercial bouquet), fans, ... More
 Loerie Lodge accommodation in Port Elizabeth
This private property has been opened to travelers and tourists seeking a quiet restful place away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We are a mere ten minutes from the airport and shopping centers situated in the nearby suburb of Walmer. The la... More
 Hazeldene Guest House accommodation in Port Elizabeth
A warm welcome at Hazeldene Guest House awaits visitors from the manager, Lindi Philps, to this comfortable haven. Hazeldene is a luxury guest house in the City of Port Elizabeth, in Nelson Mandela Bay and just five minutes from the Humew... More
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