Luderitz

Cruise ships normally dock near the town centre, although they may occasionally anchor off Lüderitz. In that case, passengers reach shore using the ship's tender service.

Walking up the main street from the pier, look to the right for a busy gift shop; the people gathered there are tour dispatchers.

Most town streets are made of dirt or sand.

Bring a printable map with you.

Luderitz is a quaint harbour town built on rocks in a small enclave of the Sperrgebiet, the restricted Diamond Area. Its unusual historical German-style buildings date from the diamond rush and cluster around the sparkling bay, with gables, winding stairwells, verandahs, turrets, bay windows and bow windows. Goerke-Haus is the most striking, a former magistrate's residence built in 1909. Above the bay, the Lutheran Felsenkirche was built in 1912, with stained-glass windows donated by Kaiser Wilhelm 11. Both buildings welcome visitors…

Take an excursion to nearby Kolmanskop. Luderitz survived its wild diamond-mining history, whereas this ghost town, now a favourite with photographers, was less fortunate.

A Luderitz-based tour operator can take visitors inside the Diamond Area to Bogenfels, the 55 m rock arch projecting into the sea, as well as the modern diamond mine, Elizabeth Bay's old ghost town and the Atlas Bay seal colony.

Golfers can try an unusual desert course, which locals describe as "rocky with oiled greens". The local golf club hires out clubs.

Seals, penguins and other marine life inhabit the Atlantic waters off Lüderitz.

Small shops in the new harbour developments by the Luderitz cruise terminal and waterfront sell postcards, jewellery and other visitor souvenirs, as well as traditional African handcrafted goods.

The Namibian dollar is the local currency and is on par with the South African rand; most vendors also accept U.S. dollars.