Windhoek Travel Guide
Almost all travelers will pass through the compact capital of Namibia. Here’s how to spend a day or two in the city.
Windhoek tends to keep a low profile, and though it’s the capital city of Namibia it often has the feel of a sleepy country town. And that’s no small part of its charm.
While most visitors bypass the capital entirely en route to desert and safari destinations, the selection of boutique hotels and larger resorts make it a good option to recover from jetlag for a day, or spend a night before the flight home. A day, two at most, is enough to see all the city has to offer.
Spend your time in Windhoek getting to grips with Namibia’s chequered history.
Start at the Alta Feste, or ‘Old Fort’, which is home to the National Museum of Namibia. Next-door is the Tintenplast – ‘Ink Palace’ in German – that houses Namibia’s national parliament, while across the road you’ll find the iconic Christuskirche, the attractive Lutheran-style church that opened to worshippers in 1910.
Also worth a visit is the Independence Memorial Museum, where paintings and informative displays unpack the country’s colonial years, liberation struggle and path to independence in 1990.
For souvenirs and local art, the Namibia Craft Centre offers a wide range of local handicrafts, from hand-woven baskets to makalani kernels, ostrich-eggshell jewellery to Himba bracelets.
Fancy a swing? Windhoek is home to two of the country’s best golf courses: the Windhoek Golf and Country Club, and the impressive 18-hole track at Omeya residential golf estate, a 30-minute drive from the city.
No visit to Windhoek is complete without a stop at Joe’s Beerhouse, a quirky restaurant that’s as famous for its quirky décor – pull up a tractor chair at the bar – as the eclectic food menu. Here the focus is on mammoth portions of meat, with signature dishes including traditional German eisbein, and oryx schnitzel with homemade spätzle. Be sure to start with a platter of plump Namibian oysters
For a more elegant experience Leo’s at the Castle – set within the upscale Hotel Heinitzburg – marries continental fine dining with wonderful city views.
If it’s views you’re after, make time for sundowners at the Hilton Windhoek where the rooftop Skybar offers superb panoramas by the poolside. Alongside an excellent wine list, the impressive gin menu includes craft gins from South Africa, alongside artisanal local gins infused with indigenous botanicals.
Windhoek, like all of Namibia, is a relaxed destination with no time for formal dress codes. Pack for comfort, and don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat and a decent pair of walking shoes for sightseeing in the city. Despite the sunny days, winter temperatures can be cool, and often very cold in the early morning, so bring a thermal fleece and windbreaker.
If you’re heading to remote desert camps or safari lodges, Windhoek is the best (and the last) place to stock up on any essentials you’ve forgotten at home, such as clothing, medication or electronics. Ask your guide or hotel concierge to point you in the right direction.
For most travellers Windhoek is simply a waypoint en route to the deserts in the west or safari lodges up north, so plan your trip according to the weather at those primary destinations. However, a good rule for most of the country is to visit in winter and spring (May-October) when you can be assured of clear days and little rain. Daytime temperatures in Windhoek at this time are mild, although nights can be cold.
Windhoek is entirely malaria-free, and no prophylactics are required.
Windhoek is situated on a high plateau in the geographical centre of Namibia. Plan your visit, and get a sense of the distances involved, with our useful travel maps.
Hosea Kutako International Airport (IATA: WDH), 45-kilometres (28 miles) east of Windhoek, is the main international gateway to Namibia, with flights to domestic, regional and international destinations. In downtown Windhoek, Eros Airport is an important hub for private aviation with charter flights offering the easiest way to access remote lodges.
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