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Swakopmund is a city on the Atlantic coast of northwestern Namibia. It’s the second biggest town of the country and is considered by many Namibians to be the country’s only real holiday resort. The town spreads from the mouth of the Swakop River out into the surrounding desert plain. Climatically more temperate (in fact very cool during my stay in July 2008) than the interior, the palm-lined streets, old buildings and well-kept gardens give Swakop a unique atmosphere.
 

The town feels like a German coastal city and its colonial past is omnipresent. Old colonial buildings like the Old Courthouse, a Lutheran church or the Woermannhaus Building form the townscape. There’s still a big German community and you can buy German fancy foods like Black Forest Gateau or brown bread. Until the end of my stay I couldn’t decide whether I should find this German ambiance either funny or embarrassing. Anyway, it’s definitely strange to listen to German folk music while having dinner in a Namibian restaurant.
 

The town has also established a name for itself as a centre for adventure travel. Options range from free-fall parachuting and dune-bike riding to sandboarding. Many of these activities take place at Long Beach or the dunes that loom from the beach. But don’t expect a busy place! These activities don’t change the town’s very tranquil atmosphere.