Swakopmund Sightseeing: Jetty, Mole, Museums

October 31, 2026

Swakopmund was founded in 1892 as the harbour of German South West Africa, and the centre still shows it in its colonial buildings, palm-lined streets and seafront. Nearly every sight is within a short walk of the next, so a half day covers most of them. Fog is common in the morning and often lifts by midday, so start in the late morning if you want clear photographs.

The jetty

The iron and concrete jetty reaches roughly 260 m into the sea. A wooden jetty of about 280 m was finished in 1905, and woodworm damaged it. Work on the present structure began in 1912 and it was planned at 640 m but stopped far short of that. It never served its intended cargo purpose. It reopened to walkers after restoration in 2010, and a seafood restaurant stands at the far end. Read the story on the Gondwana Collection blog .

The Mole

The Mole is a breakwater begun in September 1899. A small harbour behind it was ready in 1903 and silted up soon after. Today it is a beachfront promenade. The sea is cold with strong shorebreak and rip currents, so enjoy the views from the wall and swim only between the flags where lifeguards are on duty.

The lighthouse

The lighthouse was built in 1902 at 11 m and raised in 1910, and it is most often quoted at 28 m. It is not open to visitors, so enjoy it from outside, near the museum and the Mole.

Woermannhaus and the Damara Tower

Woermannhaus is now the public library and an art gallery. Its Damara Tower, the Damaraturm, can be climbed for a small fee and gives a view over the roofs towards the sea. Guidebooks give a range of dates for the building, so rely on the look of it rather than a year. The Swakop.com page has photographs.

Kristall Galerie

The gallery opened in 1998. Its centrepiece is a quartz cluster about 3 m high and roughly 14 tonnes, found in 1985 at the Otjua mine near Karibib. An entry fee applies.

Altes Gefängnis

The Old Prison on Nordring Street was built in 1909 and has been a national monument since 1973. View it from the street and do not count on going inside.

Swakopmund Museum

The museum was founded in 1951 by Dr Alfons Weber and stands on the beachfront near the lighthouse. It is open about 10:00 to 17:00 daily and entry is about N$30, so check both before you go. It has a museum listing . The Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht, the former imperial district court from 1901, is another handsome building to pass on foot.

Closed

The National Marine Aquarium has been closed since November 2023 for structural repairs.

Booking

If you prefer a guide, compare city walks and tours on Viator .