Swakopmund is Namibias principal coast town and adventure place

"Swakop" is sourrounded by the Namib Desert on three sides and the South Atlantic cold waters to the vest

After arriving in Namibia, we went directly to the coastal town of Swakopmund (Swakop), where we relaxed for three days. Swakop is reportedly Namibia´s premier holiday resort, but it is still a very relaxed town by any western standards. In the center of town, you see several old colonial "German" buildings.

In and arouns Swakop, there are lots of activities, and you can visit most places in town by foot (take a taxi at night).  Link to description of activities (link). Swakop has become known as a centre for adventure travel, and it´s attracting adventurous visitors seeking ‘adrenalin’ trips. There are numerous options, from free-fall parachuting to dune-bike riding and sandboarding. However, after a busy work year and just arrived in Namibia, we decided to use our time in Swakop to relax.

Not exactly relaxing,
our children climbing dune 7 outside Walwis Bay
A popular place to go sandboarding. Namibia 2019.

Sam´s Giardino

Booking late, we could not get accommodation the same place for all three nights. Thus, we stayed at "Sam´s Giardino" the first night (link). Sam´s Giardine is a comfortable old guesthouse in the outskirts of Swakop. We also stayed here 10 years ago and nothing has really changed. The owner is a very kind and talkative person full of interesting stories, but in order to go 10 more years with visitors, the place needs an update. Nevertheless, it was a nice place to stay.

Behind the wall at Sam´s Giardino, there is a nice garden
Swakopmund, Namibia 2019

Peacefull garden Sam´s Giardino
Swakopmund, Namibia 2019

Desert Breeze

Afterwards, we stayed two nights in the villa at Desert Breeze (link). This was really an extraordinary place. We had spectacular views of the Namib Desert’s sand dunes directly from our three bedrooms. The design is quirky and colorful and the facilities in the villa perfect.

Relaxation in front of the fireplace in the villa at Desert Breeze
An extraordinary nice place to stay in Swakopmund
Namibia 2019

Own enclosed patio at the villa Desert Breeze
Namibia 2019

View from the terrace at the villa Desert Breeze
Namibia 2019

The design, Desert Lodge, Swakopmund, Namibia 2019

The Mole area

On the Mole, Palm Beach Bay, Swakopmund, Namibia 2019

Strand Hotel Swakopmund, Farmhouse Deli
Nice place for lunch, Namibia 2019

First day, we walked around The Mole area in the center of town. The mole was intended as a harbor wall when first built, but the ocean currents continually shifted the sandbanks and effectively blocked the harbor before it was finished. The result is a protected area offering a good beach "Palm Beach". Yet, there is a warning against swimming everywhere and the water is very chilly due to the cold Benguela Current. There is also a children’s playground near the beach and nice restaurants and cafes nearby. We had especially good experiences with seafood at Ocean Cellar celebrating our 25 yrs. wedding day and a nice lunch at Farmhouse Deli nearby.

Kristall Galerie

Kristall Galerie, Swakopmund, Namibia 2019

Kristall Galerie, Swakopmund, Namibia 2019

Kristall Galerie, Swakopmund, Namibia 2019  

First morning, we visited the Kristall Galerie, which is housed in a modern building. The Galerie claims to have the largest crystal in the world. There are lots of  semi-precious stones, a replica of the original Otjua tourmaline mine, and a craft area. There’s a shop, of course, with semi-precious stones available in many guises. It’s well worth a visit by anyone fascinated by geology and Namibia.

largest crystal in the world on display?
Kristall Galerie, Swakopmund, Namibia 2019

Walwis Bay, dune 7

Walvis Bay (meaning ‘whale bay’) seems larger and more spaced out than Swakopmund, though also quieter and slightly lacking in character. Most of the town’s activities centre around the lagoon. There are many activities (link). We took a kayak trips in the lagoon at Pelican Point and visited "dune 7". You can also do boat trips from the yacht club.  You can read about the kayak trip in anoter blog (link)

Dune 7 was a nice stop, but there are many more interesting dunes in Namibia, especially in Sandwich Harbour

Dune 7, outside Walwis Bay, Namibia 2019