City
Swakopmund
Namibia's adventure and coastal capital
Swakopmund may not be Namibia’s official capital, but it's undoubtedly the country’s adventure and extreme-sports capital. A popular holiday destination, and affectionately known as ‘Swakop’ among locals, this small town lies 4 to 5 hours west of Windhoek, north of Namib-Naukluft National Park. Its appeal includes a pleasant summer climate, the exquisite seaside setting, its distinctly German flavour, and the myriad adventure activities on offer.
Highlights
1
Experience the town’s real Germanic flavour, with colonial buildings, German-style restaurants, and a historic lighthouse dating back to 1902.
2
Explore the towering sand dune called ‘Dune 7’ – the highest dune in the coastal dune belt.
3
Indulge in the European-style café culture with loads of small sidewalk eateries and diners.
4
Discover the long coastline of surf and sand that extends for kilometres.
5
Meander along to Walvis Bay, where you can find a lagoon that’s constantly engulfed by colourful flamingos.
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Best time to go to Swakopmund
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Namibia experiences very little rainfall throughout the year. Despite the little showers that arrive at the end of summer, typically in March, expect to keep dry for the majority of your stay. Swakopmund, therefore, is considered an all-year-round destination. Summer can be hot but still pleasant enough, and winters can be drastically cooler but not freezing. The town also experiences some bizarre weather in the form of heavy fog which descends upon the coast throughout the year. Historically, this fog has caused numerous shipwrecks along the coast, giving the coastline the nickname Skeleton Coast.
Featured Swakopmund stays
Beach Hotel Swakopmund
Situated just 50 m from the Atlantic Ocean, within walking distance of Swakopmund centre
From$43 /ppn
Facilities