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Makhanda

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City
—°8
Makhanda (South Africa)
ℹ️

Practical info — Makhanda

▾

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • If attending the National Arts Festival (July), book your accommodation and tickets months in advance.
  • Church Square is the heart of the city; most historical sights are within walking distance from here.
  • Visit the 1820 Settlers National Monument for its unique architecture and sweeping views over the city.
  • Enjoy the animated student atmosphere and coffee culture in the cafes along High Street.
  • Be mindful of water restrictions, as the region frequently experiences drought conditions.

🍽 Food

🍽
Student Pubs

Look for eateries near the university for affordable and filling meals with a local vibe.

🍽
Venison Biltong

Surrounding farms produce excellent dried game meat, available in local delis and farm stalls.

🍽
Artisan Coffee

The city has several micro-roasteries serving excellent locally roasted coffee blends.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
High Street

The go-to area for bookshops, independent boutiques, and locally themed souvenirs.

🛍
Bathurst Street Markets

Visit the street markets on Saturday mornings for unique local crafts and fresh produce.

🧘
Botanical Gardens

One of the oldest botanical gardens in South Africa, offering a beautifully maintained and quiet retreat.

🧘
Grey Reservoir

A popular spot for hikers on the edge of town with a very peaceful and natural atmosphere.

Makhanda, officially known as Grahamstown until 2018, is a premier educational and cultural hub in the Eastern Cape province. Established in 1812 as a military outpost following the Fourth Frontier War, it evolved into a major settler town and later an academic center dominated by the prestigious Rhodes University, founded in 1904. The town is famously called the "City of Saints" because it houses over 40 places of worship, most notably the Cathedral of St Michael and St George, which features the tallest spire in South Africa. Every July, Makhanda hosts the National Arts Festival, Africa's largest arts festival, which transforms the quiet university town into a bustling cultural marketplace. Historically, the area was the site of the 1819 Battle of Grahamstown, where Xhosa forces led by Makhanda ka Nxele attacked the British garrison. Today, the town's blend of Victorian architecture and modern academic life makes it a unique intellectual lighthouse in the region.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Apr, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C222321191714141516181921
Rain mm676266472623294435586156

Geography

Population
91,548 (2026)
Coordinates
-33.31060, 26.52060

Facts

  • Founded in 1812 by Colonel John Graham as a military headquarters.
  • Rhodes University was established in 1904 and is a major research institution.
  • The National Arts Festival has been held annually in the town since 1974.
  • The Cathedral of St Michael and St George features the highest spire in SA.
  • The town was officially renamed from Grahamstown to Makhanda in 2018.
  • It was the site of the Battle of Grahamstown on April 22, 1819.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Bushman's River MouthBushman's River Mouth43 km · SExplore →
Port AlfredPort Alfred47 km · SEExplore →
Addo Citrus FarmAddo Citrus Farm54 km · SWExplore →
Addo Elephant National ParkAddo Elephant National Park68 km · WExplore →
AddoAddo79 km · WExplore →
WinterbergWinterberg90 km · NExplore →
HogsbackHogsback90 km · NEExplore →
Port of NgquraPort of Ngqura94 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Makhanda (8)

Fort Selwyn🛡️ fortress

Hexagonal stone fort built in the 1830s on Gunfire Hill overlooking Makhanda.

Observatory Museum🏛 museum

The Observatory Museum in Makhanda features a Victorian camera obscura and a collection of astronomical instruments.

Beethoven Room🎭 culture

A small museum room in Makhanda devoted to Ludwig van Beethoven, featuring memorabilia and music history.

TCP Aquaponics👨‍👩‍👧 family

A working aquaponics farm in Makhanda offering tours of its fish and vegetable systems.

Albany History Museum🏛 museum

A museum in Makhanda tracing the history of the Albany region.

Amazwi South African Museum of Literature🏛 museum

A museum in Makhanda dedicated to South African literature and writers.

Makana Botanical Gardens🌳 park

Botanical gardens in Makhanda showcasing indigenous Eastern Cape flora.

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. George⛪ religious

The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. George in Makhanda is an Anglican cathedral featuring one of the tallest spires in South Africa.

Frequently asked questions

How long to stay in Makhanda?
Three days are well-suited to experience the spirit of the city and the museums.
Best time to visit?
Summer and autumn are most pleasant for cultural visits.
How to travel to Makhanda?
Easily reachable via the N2 highway.
Culinary delights in Makhanda?
The city is known for its small, quaint cafes.
Is Makhanda family-friendly?
Yes, the cultural and academic environment is inspiring for children.
Makhanda: where is it located?
Makhanda is located in South Africa.
Makhanda: what is there to see?
Highlights include Fort Selwyn, Observatory Museum, Beethoven Room.
Makhanda: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Apr, Dec.
Makhanda: why is it worth visiting?
Makhanda, officially known as Grahamstown until 2018, is a premier educational and cultural hub in the Eastern Cape province.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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History & landmarks

Port Elizabeth City Hall — Makhanda (South Africa)
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A historic government building featuring a prominent clock tower in the center of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).
Addo — Makhanda (South Africa)
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World-famous for its Elephant National Park, Addo offers unparalleled wildlife safaris in the malaria-free Eastern Cape.
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium — Makhanda (South Africa)
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
A multi-purpose stadium in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) featuring a distinctive roof design.
Owl House — Makhanda (South Africa)
Owl House
A fascinating house and sculpture garden created by outsider artist Helen Martins in Nieu-Bethesda.

More places

Addo Citrus Farm — Makhanda (South Africa)
Addo Citrus Farm
Discover the cultivation of citrus fruits in the Addo region.
Addo Elephant National Park — Makhanda (South Africa)
Addo Elephant National Park
A well-known park for its elephant herds.
Addo Elephant National Park — Makhanda (South Africa)
Addo Elephant National Park
Reserve famous for its massive elephant herds.
Winterberg — Makhanda (South Africa)
Winterberg
A mountain region in the Eastern Cape with cooler temperatures.
Port of Ngqura — Makhanda (South Africa)
Port of Ngqura
A deep-water port adjacent to the Coega Industrial Development Zone, designed to handle new generation vessels.
Suurberg Mountains — Makhanda (South Africa)
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A mountain range in the Addo Elephant National Park area.
Amathole Mountains — Makhanda (South Africa)
Amathole Mountains
A forested mountain range in the Eastern Cape.
Port of Gqeberha — Makhanda (South Africa)
Port of Gqeberha
Formerly known as the Port of Port Elizabeth, it is a key facility for the automotive export industry.