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The coastal town of Swakopmund
where desert meets the ocean

accommodation, activities...

Swakopmund (history of Swakopmund) with its colonial atmosphere is the Namibian seaside resort. The people of Namibia like to retire there. With its cool and pleasant climate the locals like to go there, especially over Christmas when the heat in the interior gets unbearable. Due to the cold Benguela current that originates from the Antarctic region, Swakopmund is often covered in mist during the winter months. Also during winter when a cold front moves into the interior Swakopmund can get strong Easterly desert winds and hot temperatures.
Even today most inhabitants of Swakopmund speak German. Only recently most of the German street names got renamed.
While staying in Swakopmund you shouldn’t miss to visit one of German Cafés (for example "Café Anton" in the Schweizer Haus or "Café Treff" in the main road) in order to enjoy a Blackforest Cake on the border of the Namib desert.
In the industrial area you can enjoy a visit to the "Karakulweberei" and watch the weavers there. Or do some shopping in the "Tannery" where you can buy the famous veldskoen made of Kudu leather.
A visit to the Swakopmund Museum near the "Strandhotel" is also a must. Just next to it you can find the indoor swimming pool. Along the beach you can walk to the huge Aquarium. Don’t miss the feeding of the sharks there!
The lighthouse is a landmark of Swakopmund. Enjoy a nice view over the town or sundowner at the restaurant/bar.
Near Swakopmund (on your way to Hentiesbay) and Walvis Bay (near the lagoon) salt is being produced. The offshore islands towards Walvis Bay are known for their guano production.

sightseeing in Swakopmund

the railway station (1901)
the Woermannhaus – now a library (1894/1903)* don’t miss to climb up the tower (Damara-Turm)
the lighthouse
the Jetty, the famous landing stage of Swakopmund (a section is open for the public)
the Amtsgericht (1908)
the Otavi railway station
the barracks (1905)
the prison
the tannery, famous for leather products
the "Karakulweberei"
the "Kristallgalerie"
the museum (scientific collection, minerals, ethnological collections...)
"Martin Luther", a historical steam engine that was supposed to be used to transport goods from the coast into the interior – unfortunately it broke down soon after its arrival
take a tour or a drive into the desert to see the "moon landscape" and the endemic „Welwitschia mirabilis“ (permit required)

history of Swakopmund

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