Richmond Hill Port Elizabeth

One of Port Elizabeth’s original residential suburbs, Richmond Hill is a charming and unique area of Port Elizabeth and well worth a visit. Oozing with colonial charm and bohemian chic, Richmond Hill’s trendy ambience will hit you at once. Delightfully restored Edwardian and Victorian cottages line the streets and give visitors a sense of the Port Elizabeth of a bygone era. If exploring the area on foot or on a bicycle you can almost picture yourself having stepped back a couple of hundred years to the early days of this now busy city.

Many of the quaint 19th century buildings still have their original fretwork on the eaves as well as their traditional fireplaces and the area also commands some pretty spectacular views over the clear waters of Algoa Bay. If you are interested in witnessing an incredible sunrise or two, Richmond Hill is certainly the spot from which to do it. Head up to Callington or Stanley Street, or to the impressive Old Erica Building on the edge of Richmond Park (one of Port Elizabeth’s first schools for girls built in 1903) and from these spots you can be guaranteed an excellent vantage point from which to watch the sun creep out of the ocean and begin to light up the bay. After an early start for the sunrise, you are then in the perfect part of town to head to one of the many pavement cafes, restaurants or bakeries to enjoy a well deserved coffee and breakfast.

Richmond Hill is the perfect base from which to explore Port Elizabeth’s historical and trendy side. With a variety of old buildings, galleries, excellent, trendy shops and antique stores, you will find it easy to while away the hours in this charming suburb. Many fantastic cafes serve tasty meals and drinks during the day and Richmond Hill’s restaurant strip is home to some of the best restaurants in town, with a variety of cuisine to choose from. The area comes alive at night and is a vibrant, somewhat bohemian social hub of the city. There is also a good range of Guest Houses and B&Bs available in the area, some set in the wonderfully converted buildings, offering an excellent and central Port Elizabeth accommodation choice.