Sights and landmarks in Swakopmund

Sights and landmarks in Swakopmund

1. See

   Altes Gefängnis

   Built in 1909, it still functions as a prison. However, it's built in the same style as much as the rest of downtown (much prettier than a modern prison) and has been a national historic landmark since 1973.

2. See

   Barracks

   Kaserne

   Built in 1903 as housing for the troops of the engineer corps who constructed much of the early infrastructure. The lobby is decorated with German coats of arms. Nowadays the building functions as a youth hostel.

3. See

   Haus Hohenzollern

   An Art Nouveau building constructed in 1906 as a luxurious hotel, today it is an apartment building.

4. See

   Kristall Galerie

   Crystal Gallery

   The world's largest quartz crystal and many other gems and minerals are on display. The gallery also has two shops where you can buy some crystals as souvenirs.

   Mon-Sat 09:00-17:00·N$20

5. See

   Lighthouse

   The 25.6m-high lighthouse is one of the most visible buildings in the city.

6. See

   Lutheran Church

   Built by the Germans in 1912, this Evangelical-Lutheran church is another building which looks like it has been transplanted from somewhere in Germany.

7. See

   Martin Luther Steam Engine

   A road locomotive abandoned in the desert just outside Swakopmund. Imported in 1896 to pull freight in the region, replacing oxens, it wasn't even able to travel the way from the port of Walvis Bay to Swakopmund, where it was supposed to be based, before breaking down in the desert. It was left there and soon became an odd attraction. It has been renovated a couple of times, and a protective building was built around it.

8. See

   Old railway station and casino

   Built in the Wilhelminian style in 1902 as a railway station for the new line to Windhoek, it nowadays hosts the Swakopmund Hotel, exhibition centre and casino.

9. See

   State House

   Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht

   Built as a courthouse in 1902, nowadays it is the Swakopmund residence of the Namibian president.

10. See

    Swakopmund Jetty

    Jutting 300 m out in the Atlantic Ocean. Originally it was smaller and built out of wood. Later on, the current concrete jetty was built, but after WWI it fell into disuse. Renovated in 2005, it is a popular attraction, especially for viewing the sunset.

11. See

    Swakopmund Museum

    The largest private museum in the country, founded in 1951. It showcases the cultural and natural history of the region from prehistoric time to the colonial period. Included among the exhibits is a reconstructed 19th-century chemist shop, a dentist's practice and an old household.

    Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow·N$30 adults, N$10 children

12. See

    The Marine Monument

    Memorial to the German soldiers who died during the campaign against the Herero People between 1904-07.

13. See

    The National Marine Aquarium of Namibia

    Rays, turtles, sharks and other marine life can be seen here. There is a daily feeding at 15:00.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-16:00·N$30

14. See

    Woermannhaus

    A German half-timbered house in the colors of the desert with a 25m high tower and arcaded inner yard. Built by the German trading company Woermann in 1905 as their headquarters for German Southwest Africa. In 1972 the building was declared a national historic landmark and nowadays it functions as a public library.

15. See

    Monument to the fallen in both World Wars

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Swakopmund (CC BY-SA 4.0).