Popular Tourist Attractions in Lüderitz, Namibia

Posted by Yolande Pienaar Oct 15, 2009

Namibia is a country with wide-open spaces, long distances between towns and enough tourist attractions to keep a tourist busy for months on end. One of the most popular coastal towns is Lüderitz in the south west of the country.

As Lüderitz is situated at the end of a road leading nowhere else, many tourists do not make the effort to visit the small settlement that has so much to offer by way of tourist attractions. With the Namib Desert surrounding the town and the Atlantic Ocean on the other side, Lüderitz could easily be mistaken for a desolate place when in fact it is a hub of activity during tourist season.

What to See and Do in Lüderitz, Namibia

Diamond mining contributed to the origin of Lüderitz and today the operations of Namdeb Mining Company is still visible just outside the town. Tourist attractions relating to the diamond mining industry includes:

At Kolmanskop ghost diamond mining town tourists can step back in time to investigate the old diamond mining techniques and the harsh conditions the Namib Desert subjected the miners to.

Guided tours into the Namib Desert to view other ghost towns like Elizabeth Bay south of Lüderitz, as well as the operations between Lüderitz and Walvisbaai where remnants of the miners' activities were left desolate in the vast ocean of sand.

Nature lovers can explore the Lüderitz peninsula with its coastal bays and pay a visit to the monument at Diaz Point where the lighthouse has been restored. A small coffee and curio shop offers refreshments to visitors and on days when the wind does not howl over the platform where the cross is erected, tourists can see seals frolicking in the water and baking in the sun on the rocky islands in the ocean.

One of the aspects that make Lüderitz unique is the many historical buildings, which has been restored to their former glory. Upon entering Lüderitz, tourists cannot miss the prominent facade of the Goerke House with the striking sundial on the left. The Lutheran Church towers above the town from a small hilly outcrop and is visible even from the peninsula some distance away.

Sharks Island Resort is rich in history involving wars, concentration camps and bloody battles. Today the resort at Sharks Island (Haifisch Island) offers a view over the small harbor as well as monuments to attest to its largely unknown history.

Accommodation in Lüderitz, Namibia

Lüderitz offers tourists to Namibia a variety of accommodation, including camping, guesthouses and B&B and luxury accommodation in hotels. For such a small town the accommodation options available are astounding. Whether tourists want budget accommodation or luxury accommodation in hotels, self-catering or fully catered, Lüderitz has something to suit every discerning traveler.

With all the tourist attractions offered by Lüderitz town in Namibia, tourists should spend at least a couple of days to explore the town.