If you are thinking of traveling to Windhoek, Namibia, you are in the right place. Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia, is the largest city in the country. It is located on the Khomas Highland plateau at an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level. It is a city that attracts attention with its historical buildings, wide streets, pleasant squares and safari tours.
Windhoek, which is seen as the social, economic, political and cultural center of the country, welcomes approximately 60 percent of the foreign tourists coming to Namibia every year. This is one of the biggest indicators of its contribution to the country’s economy.
Windhoek has a semi-arid climate. Although the weather is very hot during the day in summer, evenings are cold. The annual average air temperature is 19.7 degrees. There is no precipitation in the winter months of June, July and August. However, temperatures during this period range from -5 to 18 degrees. During the daytime, the highest temperature in July is 20 degrees, while it can be seen as 31 degrees in January.
Where is Windhoek?
Let us share with you some of the things you need to know when traveling to Windhoek. Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia, is the largest city in the country. It is located on the Khomas Highland Plateau at an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level.
How To Get To Windhoek?
Hosea Kutako International Airport is located 45 kilometers outside the city. Flights are available via Cape Town, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, Amsterdam or Luanda. It is possible to take a taxi from the airport to the city center for 350 Namibian Dollars.
When To Go To Windhoek?
Windhoek has a semi-arid climate. Although the weather is very hot during the day in summer, evenings are cold. The annual average air temperature is 19.7 degrees. There is no precipitation in the winter months of June, July and August. However, temperatures during this period range from -5 to 18 degrees. During the daytime, the highest temperature in July is 20 degrees, while it can be seen as 31 degrees in January.
Place To Visit In Windhoek
You could say that everything in Namibia is headed towards Windhoek. In addition, Windhoek, which is a city that can be determined as the starting point for tourists coming to the country, has the charm of discovering the country’s huge natural wealth and making it worth a few days’ trip.
Among the places he owns; The National Museum of North Korea, the Parliament Building, the gardens, and the most prominent landmarks are the brightly painted Christuskirche. If we are going to talk about the real attractions of the city, then this list will not be so long. Among the real reasons to spend time in this high-altitude and slow-paced city is the country’s cultural background.
Browsing churches, shopping, dining, being next to Christuskirche can be interesting in this city centre. The real adventure starts when you get to Katutura Suburb. Daan Viljoen, a large area where wild animals continue their natural lives, is located near the city.
Christuskirche
This church, which is called Christ Church in English and means the Church of Jesus in Turkish, is a church affiliated with the Lutheran monkhood. It is the main attraction point of the city with its architectural feature rather than its religious function.
It is one of the main reasons why many tourists come to this city every year. The construction of this brightly painted building, which is impossible to miss while visiting the city center of Eindhoek, was laid in 1907 after the war between the German colonialists and the local people. It was consecrated and put into service in 1910. Its first name is the Church of Peace, meaning Church of Peace.
The structure is made of quartz sandstone. The sandstone used in its construction was mined around the Avis Dam. The spire of the Gothic tower of the building, which I can describe as a mixture of Neo-Romanesque, Art Nouveau and Gothic Revival styles in terms of its architectural features, corresponds to a length of 24 meters.
The church, whose columned entrance was made of Carrara marble imported from Italy, was brought from Germany. The three bronze bells of the church were made by Franz Schilling. The inscriptions on them “Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe” mean “victory belongs to the Most High God,” “Friede auf Erden” (peace in the world), and “Den Menschen ein Wohlgefallen” means “goodwill to mankind”.
Daan Viljoen Nature Reserve
Daan Viljoen Nature Reserve is Namibia’s smallest park. Located in the town of Khomas Hochland, the natural park attracts many visitors due to its proximity to Windhoek city centre. The location of the park, which is 25 kilometers away from the city and suitable for daily visitors, is not the only factor in this increase in the number of visitors. Locals also frequently visit here to escape the city and be alone with nature.
The park, which also includes a reservoir, is open to the public from sunrise to sunset throughout the year. One of the main attractions of Daan Viljoen Nature Reserve is that visitors are allowed to walk around the park. In other words, unlike other natural parks in Namibia, unfortunately, it is only possible to travel in a vehicle in these parks, and of course, it is not allowed to get out of the vehicles for safety reasons.
There are two very famous climbing areas. There are also routes for cycling up the mountain. However, there is a very important point that we should remind you that it is essential to reserve your entrance ticket in advance to enter this park, which is a favorite of domestic and foreign tourists all year round.
Alte Feste (Old Castle)
Alte Feste is a castle and museum, which means Old Fortress in Turkish. The castle was designed by Captain Curt von François. The original purpose of construction was to create a base that functions as the headquarters for the German Schutztruppe (German Colonial Army). The center of the army, which was responsible for controlling not only Namibia but the whole region during the entire colonization process of Southwest Africa, was taken to this city and this fortress.
Windhoek’s location at the time explains this preference very well. It was the strategic prediction that this city, which was completely abandoned and destroyed by the colonial wars, would create a safety zone between the local tribes that were being fought against and the German colonial powers, as there were no people living in this city. However, the fort has never been part of any war, has never been attacked or used for an offensive. Therefore, it has been completely preserved from an architectural point of view.
The foundations of the building were laid in 1890 by Gustav Tünschel, a German colonial army soldier. In its early years, the building had to be redesigned many times. The construction of the final plan was completed in 1915.
Schwerinsburg (Schwerin Castle)
Schwerinsburg (English and Schwerin’s Castle) means Schwerin Castle in Turkish. Schwerinsburg (Schwerin Castle), the largest of the three castles in the city of Windhoek, is now dedicated to the personal residence of the Namibian Ambassador to Italy. After the construction of the Old Castle, named Alte Feste, began in 1890, the tower of Schwerinsburg was built by Captain Curt von François, who was the architect of the Alte Feste.
One of the highest enforcers of German imperial power in all of Southwest Africa, the captain only designed the tower. In 1904, Schutztruppe (German colonial army) sold the building to German architect Wilhelm Sander, and the new owner transformed the structure into an open-air pub called the beer garden, which you can think of as a tea garden with beer sales. In its new function, the structure is named Sperlingslust.
In 1913 Hans Bogislav Graf von Schwerin, governor of the German-controlled south-west Africa’s Gobabis province, bought the Sperlingslust building from Sander and asked him to turn it into a fortress. After the conversion was completed, the building was named Schwerinsburg by its new owner.
Heroes Acre
Tintenpalast
National Library of Namibia
Transportation In Windhoek
When you travel to Windhoek, you should also know how to get there. Only shared taxis are used for public transport in Windhoek. They have certain routes, but since there is no stop logic, it is possible to get off wherever you want. However, if you wish, there are also taxis that you can keep privately. Since the majority of hotels and hostels are located very close to the city center, you can also reach by walking.
Windhoek Cuisine
Your trip to Windhoek continues, if you can’t decide what to eat, then it’s time to talk about what to eat in Windhoek. Namibian cuisine is shaped by the cooking techniques of the local tribes and by British, African and German influences. Local tribes often use fruits, nuts and vegetables in their cuisine. Hunting is an important activity in the food consumption of local people. Many wild animal meats, from crocodile to buffalo meat, are cooked by local tribes.
Classic beer and schnitzel can be found in the cuisine of German origin. The kitchen has not been developed much because of the limited agricultural opportunities in the country. Smoked meat is consumed a lot. Vegetables and fruits such as avocado, banana, orange, tangerine, pineapple, peanut, tomato, kiwi, beans, onions, potatoes, celery; millet, corn, rice and wheat are grown from cereals.
Popular restaurants
- La Dolce Vita
- Pick’n Pay, Sardinia
- Tim Sum
- Luigi and the Fish.
Tip:Even though the waiters in places in Namibia do not expect a tip, they will be happy if you leave 10 percent of the bill as a tip.
Shopping In Windhoek
Wouldn’t you like to beautify your Windhoek trip with shopping? Windhoek city is one of the best places for shopping in Namibia. While you may encounter many boutique shops on the street walks, there are also many modern shopping centers in the city. Maerua Mall, Wernhill Park or Gustav Voigts Center are some of them.
If you are into handmade crafts, you should stop by the Namibia Craft Center, located in an old building in the city centre. It is possible to find kden here. Another popular store in the city center is Jennys Place. Here you can find many products from oil paintings to local jewellery.
Windhoek Nightlife
Nightlife in Windhoek city is based on bars. It is not possible to see a nightclub or disco. Even some bars are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. After Wednesday, they are quite active. You can choose Funky Lab, Joes Beer Garden, Wine Bar, Blitzkrieg Bunker Bar or Bump. The only nightclub in the city is Cheztemba, which is open even on Sundays. It is worth mentioning that the prices in the venue in Independence Square are high. When you travel to Windhoek, do not leave without tasting the nightlife!
Windhoek Festivals
- Oktoberfest (October)
- Independence Day Celebrations (21 March)
- Carnival (April)
- Jazz Festival (November)
- Arts Festival (May)
Windhoek Public Holidays
- New Year (January 1)
- Independence Day (21 March)
- Good friday
- Easter
- Labor Day (May 1)
- Cassinga Day (May 4)
- Africa Day (25 May)
- Heroes’ Day (26 August)
- International Human Rights Day (10 Dec)
- Christmas (25 December)
- Goodwill Day (26 December)
Useful Information For Windhoek
- Emergency help: 112
- Fire: 112
- Police: 112
