The Best Bars in Windhoek

A lot of Namibia safaris begin and end in Windhoek, so it makes sense to head to a bar and indulge in a little of the city’s culture. Although much of Namibia is known for being a bit of an arid destination, with wide open spaces between the towns and villages, the more populated areas are modern and full of fantastic places to get some grub. The country is also home to numerous breweries, and many of the most distinctly delicious beverages can be ordered in a bar in Namibia.

It is not at all difficult to find an amazing bar in Windhoek, one with a kicking vibe and awesome hospitality. Whether you are looking for a quiet spot where you can sip on a glass of wine and reflect on your time in Namibia, or if you are longing for a beer after a long, hot day spent exploring the great outdoors, here are just a handful of the bars that you can head to.

 

 

  1. Andy’s Pub and Restaurant

An incredibly popular place with locals and traveller’s alike, at Andy’s Pub and Restaurant there’s a bustling beer garden that is always full of life and has some of the best pizza in town. The inside of the pub is decorated with a couple of interesting choices and the joint is always full of people.

  1. Que Tapas!

Good food, good vibe, great drinks, Que Tapas! has so much goodness and it is certainly the kind of place that you will want to visit when you find yourself in town. Que’s is the perfect option for a night out, and you can sit outside under the trees, enjoying the salsa music and tucking into some really tasty food, while sipping on your favourite drink. As the name says, this is a tapas restaurant, but it also has all sorts of other Spanish inspired meals.

  1. DoubleMT

A place that is more of a night club than a bar, at DoubleMT you can look forward to great live music performed by some of Namibia’s top musicians. DoubtMT is definitely invested in the party scene, making it a great place for young people to dance the night away.

  1. The Wolf Shack

With a name like that you can expect a memorable time. At The Wolf Shack, you will feel right at home in the unassuming, made to be without pretence bar. There is quite a selection of craft beers and gin to be enjoyed here and some comfortable pallet furniture to relax on. The Wolf Shack also has quite an impressive red wine selection.

  1. Joker’s

Cold beer and a really good time spent enjoying the simpler things in life are what you can expect when you come to Joker’s. This bar plays host to some of the best live music as well, which means that for many this bar has become one of Windhoek’s must visit places if you are looking for a great time.

 

Shop Namibia

Namibia is best known for being a popular tourist attraction. Each year, thousands, if not millions, of travellers will pass through the country, attracted to the unbelievably magical landscapes, historical attractions and wildlife sightings. But for some tourists, there is also the opportunity to eat and shop, which is part of the fun of coming here for a holiday.

Namibia is a modern nation, and the towns and the country’s capital Windhoek, in particular, are home to some incredible local shops, all run by talented business people. When you do a little shopping in Namibia, whether you are looking for a couple of treasured pieces to take home with you, to look back on and fondly remember the time you spent on your Namibia tour, or if you are just looking for a couple of snacks to take with you on the road, here’s a mix of some of the best places to shop in Namibia.

 

Windhoek tour

 

  1. The Belgian Choclatique

Swoon-worthy hand-crafted Belgian chocolates fill the shelves in the Belgian Choclatique, and one bite will have you thinking you are in heaven. This little shop, owned by Adelaine Bruwer and situated in Swakopmund, sells more than 90 different types of Belgian chocolates and it is a fully Namibian brand. If you are a chocoholic, this is one shop you don’t want to miss. Make sure that you treat yourself when you next find yourself in Swakopmund.

  1. Namibia Craft Centre

Home to up to 38 craft stalls, most of which are from rural communities and proudly Namibian brands that uplift communities and ethnic groups alike. You will find a large range of goods for sale here, from jewellery to ornaments and so much more. There is also all sorts of the freshest Namibian food on sale here.

  1. Karakulia Weavers

Rugs and all sorts of other hand weaved items are available for sale from Karakulia Weavers, and there is also a lot to learn while visiting their shop. Situated in Swakopmund, this is an incredibly special place and absolutely worth stopping off at for a visit.

  1. Herrle & Herma Jewellers

If you want to take something extra special home with your after your Namibia safari, why not buy a piece of handcrafted jewellery from Herrle & Herma, a Windhoek based jewellery manufacturer? This shop stocks a selection of stunning pieces and if you can find something you like, they also offer the option of custom making something for you. The shop gets rave reviews from its clients and having a piece of jewellery from Namibia, something you wear every day, will be a treasured reminder of your time spent here.

  1. The Diamond Works

Another jewellery shop in Windhoek, but one that also offers a free Diamond Tour, a stop at The Diamond Works will blow your mind and have you day dreaming about its beautiful jewellery and breath taking diamonds and semi-precious stones. Here you can learn everything there is to know about the diamonds of Namibia and at the end up can buy something extra memorable to take home.

 

5 Reasons to Visit Windhoek

For those embarking on a Namibia tour, Windhoek is generally the tour’s starting point and ending point, and not an attraction in and of itself. But if you have some time to kill, you will find that the capital of Namibia is an exciting place with plenty to see and experience and can quite easily fit into your tour and become a memorable part of your trip.

The capital city of Windhoek is the nation’s business and cultural hub. It is full of people who are warm and welcoming, and who are always ready to show off their beautiful city. Windhoek is a lively African destination with a German twist, a legacy of its colonial past.

If you find yourself in Namibia, don’t be in such a hurry to hit the road. Instead, these are 5 reasons why you should take the time to explore this vast city.

  1. Katutara Township

Some of the best truly African vibes can be found in the close knit township communities. Forever on the move and filled with an eclectic culture that thrives on local music, food and friendly faces, guests who visit this township will be given a unique look at the beauty of Namibian city life.

In the Herero language, the name of the town means “the place where no-one wants to live” and it was given this name because it has a history of poverty and misery. Today, the township still struggles with poverty, but it is in a better place than it was during the Apartheid years.

It is best to visit the township in the company of a guide, to ensure your safety and to ensure that you don’t miss anything interesting.

  1. Daan Viljoen Game Park

A short 18km drive out of the city will take you to the Daan Viljoen Game Park where you can enjoy an authentic African safari. Here you can take a walk on one of three beautiful trails and along the way you can see giraffe, eland, gemsbok, zebra, warthog, and kudu, to name but a few. The game park is also a bird watchers paradise.

  1. The German Architecture

Since Namibia is a former German colony, a lot of the country’s architecture is influenced by the German style, including much of Windhoek’s buildings. A walking tour of the city will take you to some of the most famous buildings.

  1. The Old Complex Brewery

Craft beer has become popular the world over, and Namibia is no exception. If you are a keen beer drinker, and you’d like to get a taste of Namibian beer, you should pay a visit to the Old Complex Brewery. The brewery is the oldest in Windhoek and it not only sells a wide variety of beers but it also sells local crafts and a delicious selection of food.

  1. Museums

Much like South Africa, Namibia has a painful segregated past. If you are keen on getting a better understanding of the country’s most recent history, a visit to any one of the museums is a great starting point.