Windhoek has the colour, sounds and tempo of a modern African city

Around Windhoek

Namibia’s capital Windhoek is often described as a city with a “continental” atmosphere. This can be ascribed to its architecture - historical buildings dating back to German colonial rule - as well as to its cuisine, culture, dress and educational institutions. At the same time Windhoek has the colour, sounds and tempo of a modern African city. Pavement displays of African drums and wood carvings from the north contrast with elegant shops offering sophisticated Swakara Garments and Namibian gemstones set in individually designed pieces of jewellery. While some shops display clothing, silver and glassware imported from Europe, others stock casual and colouful clothes from West Africa.

Because of the area’s plentyful hot springs, Windhoek was initially known as Ai-gams (spelt /Ais//Gams to indicate the click sound), a Nama word meaing “firewater”, “steam” or “smoke”, and Otjimuise, a Herero word meaning “the place of steam”. The Nama captain, Jan Jonker Afrikaner, gave the town the name it carries today. In the early 1840s Afrikaner settled where the most powerful spring reached the surface. It is thought that, in a moment of nostalgia, he named the place after Winterhoek, the farm in the Cape where he was born. During the German colonial administration the town was known as Windhuk, which later became Windhoek.

Sidewalk cafes where Namibian -style breakfast known as “Frühschoppen” can be enjoyed with a glass of chilled, sparkling wine or draught beer are a special feature of the city. Namibia’s excellent range of locally brewed beers can be enjoyed at several traditional beer gardens. In addition to steak houses and wide variety of à la carte restaurants offering German, Portuguese, Italian, Greek, African and Chinese cuisine.

Public transport consists mainly of taxis, while a bus service takes passengers between Katutura and Khomasdal to Windhoek and its various suburbs.

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