Updated Feb 18, 2026
KEY STATS
1.1M
Population
1,845 km2
Area
68 Mbps
Internet
15m
Elevation
UTC+02:00
Timezone
PLZ (3km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Gqeberha's harbor winds carry the scent of fresh seafood along its colorful Addo beaches, luring digital nomads to South Africa's Eastern Cape coast. Mild oceanic climate supports beachside co-working, with improving fiber and proximity to wildlife reserves.
QUICK FACTS
Country
South Africa
Region
Southern Africa
Population
1.1M
Timezone
UTC+02:00
Elevation
15 m
Currency
ZAR
Language
Afrikaans
Airport
PLZ
GPS
-33.96, 25.61
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Tech
68 Mbps internet — adequate for most digital work
Travel
PLZ airport just 3 km from the city center
A major city with a population of 1,050,078
INFRASTRUCTURE
3,598 total POIs 2.0 per km²
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
103
Cafes
44
Bars
30
Fast Food
78
Shopping
Supermarkets
61
Convenience
70
Shopping Malls
15
Healthcare
Hospitals
12
Clinics
19
Pharmacies
28
Education
Schools
233
Universities
14
Libraries
8
Recreation
Parks
214
Playgrounds
62
Sports
1,437
Cinemas
2
Museums
5
Theatres
4
Transport
Bus Stops
105
Train Stations
11
Fuel Stations
93
Services
Banks
26
ATMs
28
Post Offices
12
Police
11
Fire Stations
4
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
68 Mbps
Download
58 Mbps
Upload
23ms
Latency
13,463
Tests
3,264
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
Best time to visit: Apr - Oct
15°
J
16°
F
17°
M
18°
A
20°
M
21°
J
21°
J
21°
A
20°
S
18°
O
17°
N
16°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 18.2 C Range: 21.1 - 15.2 C Rain: 632 mm/year Sunshine: 3,603 h/year
CITY SCORES
86.5
Nomad Index
A
Livability
37.5
Culture
61.9
Overall
AIRPORT
PLZ
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport
3 km from center
Very close — ~5 min ride
FUN FACTS
It is the seat of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa's second-smallest metropolitan municipality by area.
Gqeberha was founded in 1820 as Port Elizabeth by Sir Rufane Donkin, who was the governor of the Cape at the time.
It is nicknamed "The Friendly City" or "The Windy City".
In 2019, the Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee recommended that Port Elizabeth be renamed Gqeberha, after the Xhosa and Southern Khoe name for the Baakens River that flows through the city.
It covers 251 square kilometers of the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan area, and is administered by South Africa's sixth-largest metropolitan municipality.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Gqeberha known for?
Gqeberha's harbor winds carry the scent of fresh seafood along its colorful Addo beaches, luring digital nomads to South Africa's Eastern Cape coast. Mild oceanic climate supports beachside co-working, with improving fiber and proximity to wildlife reserves.
How fast is the internet in Gqeberha?
Gqeberha has an average download speed of 68 Mbps and upload speed of 58 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Gqeberha?
Gqeberha has an average year-round temperature of approximately 18.2 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Gqeberha?
Gqeberha is served by PLZ (Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport), approximately 3 km from the city center.
What is the population of Gqeberha?
The population of Gqeberha is approximately 1.1M.
What infrastructure does Gqeberha have?
Gqeberha has 3,598 mapped points of interest, including 103 restaurants, 12 hospitals, 233 schools.
What country is Gqeberha in?
Gqeberha is located in South Africa.
