Hostels in SWAKOPMUND, NAMIBIA

City Swakopmund – Biggest Coastal Town and Summer Holiday Resort in Namibia

Located on the coast of north-western Namibia, the city of Swakopmund is the biggest coastal town of the country. Known for its pleasant summer climate, wonderful beaches and array of exciting activities, the city is visited by tourists belonging to all age groups.

Accommodation Options
Backpacker’s lodges and camping sites can be found in the downtown area. Self-catering bungalows and apartments near the beach are counted among good accommodations. Bed and breakfast and guest house options are also good to ensure a comfortable stay. Some of the budget hotels near the beach offer hot pools and rooms with good facilities. English and Afrikaans are commonly spoken, followed by German.

History
Swakopmund was founded by the German Captain Curt von François in the year 1892. The site was chosen to serve as a port in Germany-occupied Southwest Africa. Nearness to the Swakop River made it an ideal place as a harbour. Soon, it became one of the main ports of the region and acquired the municipal status in 1909. Swakopmund started prospering with the emergence of shipping and trading industry, but the prosperity soon declined when its control went to the Union of South Africa in 1915. By then, the city’s importance as tourism resort was recognized. Development of the world’s largest opencast uranium mine and a satellite tracking station further made the city popular in the world.

Popular Places
Numerous colonial buildings in the city are among the popular places of Swakopmund. Swakopmund Jetty, Woermann Haus and Hohenzollern House are some of the notable buildings in the city.  The beach museums, the art nouveau building, an old lighthouse and many more attractions can be explored in the city. An aquarium and a snake park are other interesting places. However, the main attraction of the city is its National West Coast Recreational Area.

Getting Around
No public transportation facilities are available in the city. Though, one would never complain exploring the city on foot. Taxis can also be found to visit various parts of the city. Ask the local people to guide you about the most interesting parts of the city.

Places of Entertainment
As mentioned earlier, the National West Coast Recreational Area is the main highlight of the city. Sand boarding and quad-biking are the fun-filled activities to explore the vast area covered by the sand dunes. Walking in the dunes or having a camel ride can make your trip to the city exciting. Other entertaining activities include dune carting, hot air ballooning and parachuting. In addition, there are activities like deep sea fishing, shark fishing and beach angling on the beach. Birding at the mouth of the Swakop River can be enjoyed to see some rare bird species. A number of nightspots can be visited to enjoy music and food.   

Currency
The official currency of the city is Namibian Dollar. It is available as coins of 5, 10, 50 cents, $1, $5 and banknotes of $10, $20, $50, $100, $200. Online news can help you learn about the currency exchange rates and other important things.    

Swakopmund group accommodation | Cheap hostels & budget hotels