During my trip to Namibia I spent a few days in Windhoek, the capital. It is a beautiful green and calm city, 40 minutes drive from the airport. I headed to this lovely city after a spectacular road trip to the Namib Desert (click here to read about it), so this was my last stop before leaving the country.
Panoramic view from the National Museum of Windhoek, NamibiaBefore visiting this city I had no clue about what to see, so it could be useful to have this short guide during your Namibian trip! 🙂
STAYING AT AVANI HOTEL WINDHOEK
After my wonderful road trip to the Namib Desert (click here to read about it) I drove with my friend to Windhoek, where I spent a few days. I had the pleasure to stay at the Avani Hotel Windhoek, perfectly located in the city center!
I stayed in the Presidential Suite, the most luxurious room you can get at the Avani Hotel Windhoek. It was stunning indeed! The view of the city was absolutely splendid, during the day as well as night!
The suite has 2 connected rooms, separated in the middle by a classy living room. Each room has its own TV + an additional one in the lounge as well.
In each room there is a shower and a bath, with a full kit of soaps and creams. Wonderful!
Also, the staff was incredibly attentive and helpful, very appreciated their effort and professionalism!
Everything was really clean and elegant, I really enjoyed staying there!
DINING AT AVANI HOTEL WINDHOEK
Avani Hotel Windhoek offers 2 dining experiences: The Pantry at Avani and The Dunes Restaurant.
The Pantry is a casual cool bar/restaurant where you can get great cold and warm dishes. It is popular also for business meetings and celebrations! Very hype vibes! Perfect for breakfast, lunch and brunch!
Moreover, you can also enjoy great cocktails in the evening, especially on Fridays when they have also live music performances! Absolutely a must! 🙂
The Dunes restaurant is located on 1st floor and it offers a delicious buffet. The food was so fresh, especially seafood was remarkable! Everything was actually very good, with a wide range of choice! highly recommended!
WHAT TO SEE IN WINDHOEK
If you have the chance to spend at least half day in Windhoek, I really recommend to visit a few museums. For me it has been a great opportunity to learn more about the history of this country!
THE INDEPENDENCE MEMORIAL MUSEUM
The Independence Memorial Museum is a historical museum in Windhoek, Namibia. It focuses on the anti-colonial resistance and the national liberation struggle of Namibia. The museum was inaugurated on 21st March 2014, the twenty-fourth anniversary of independence of the country, by President Hifikepunye Pohamba.
This museum is flanked by two statues: the Sam Nujoma Statue and the Genocide Statue, also built by Mansudae. The Sam Nujoma Statue sits on the site of the German-era Reiterdenkmal equestrian statue.
Overall, it is a very well organized museum, where you have the chance to learn a lot thanks to the great narrative path of each floor. Lots of pictures and descriptions. Outstanding.
One of my favorite rooms has this piece on the wall. Overwhelming and meaningful.
THE NATIONAL ART GALLERY OF NAMIBIA
A cool little museum full of Namibian Contemporary Art, very interesting! It’s not possible to take pictures inside, but I’d like to let you know that I really enjoyed all the artworks there!
THE CHRISTUSKIRCHE CHURCH
Christuskirche was built in the early 1900s in the heart of Windhoek, and it became very iconic. It is know also as “Christ Church”. This is a beautiful church, inside and out. It is based on the idea of a basilica, which is a rectangular church with a rounded end and 2 aisles. The walls have been constructed from Windhoek sandstone and the portal is of Italian Carrarian marble, features that complement the neo-Romanic style, combined with an art nouveau influence. It became a National Monument in 1974!
SPA DAY AT GOCHEGANAS LODGE
Following a long and tiring road trip, I was really looking forward to get some rest! And I could not find anything better than Gochehanas Lodge, 45 minutes away from Windhoek city center.
This Lodge is located on a hilltop overlooking a spectacular landscape. It offers a luxurious and unique combination of Wildlife, Nature and Wellness experiences.
The outdoor swimming-pool is surely breathtaking, but the indoor heated pool of the spa is even nicer! I loved it so much, especially the relaxing music: another level of relaxation! 🙂
Click here to read the full spa menu.
Furthermore, this beautiful lodge offers outstanding accommodation for an unforgettable weekend getaway! A perfect place to escape the h&b of the every day life or to end in the best way possible a Namibian trip, like we did!
`I hope this article helped you to organize your time in Windhoek!
And you… are you lusting for the sublime?
Always,
Carlotta
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