Why visit
Windhoek is Namibia's highland capital, clean, compact, and useful as the starting point for desert road trips. German colonial buildings, craft markets, and nearby reserves make it an efficient first or last stop.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
Windhoek is useful when you want a city-level starting point in Namibia. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around Windhoek, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in Namibia better matches the trip style.
Windhoek at a glance
City population
386k
Elevation
1,700 m
5,577 ft
Time zone
UTC+2
Africa/Windhoek
Airport
ERS
Eros Airport
Namibia at a glance
Country center
-22.0°, 17.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
825,615 km²
318,772 mi²
Country population
2.6 million
3/km²
Subregion
Southern Africa
Currency
Namibian dollar ($)
NAD
Dial
+264
Languages
Afrikaans, German, English
Demonym
Namibian
Internet
.na
UN
Member state
ISO code
NA / NAM
Where in the world
-22.0° - 17.0°
Namibia
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Windhoek sits on Namibia's central plateau at about 1,700 meters above sea level.
- Christuskirche, built in the early 20th century, is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.
- Windhoek displays dozens of iron meteorites from the Gibeon shower, one of the largest meteorite finds on earth.
- Namibia has the oldest desert on earth (the Namib, 55+ million years old) with dunes that reach 325 m.
- The Skeleton Coast got its name from the bleached whale bones that line the shore: it is one of the world's most treacherous coasts.
Bordering Namibia
Traveler notes
- Christuskirche is the city's most recognizable landmark
- Independence Memorial Museum frames modern history
- Most Namibia self-drive routes begin and end here
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Windhoek
What currency is used in Windhoek?
Windhoek uses the Namibian dollar ($), ISO code NAD.
What languages are spoken in Namibia?
The primary languages are Afrikaans, German and English.
What is the international calling code for Namibia?
The calling code is +264.
When is the best time to visit Windhoek?
May–Oct. Check current weather and local events before booking.
What airport serves Windhoek?
Eros Airport (IATA: ERS).
Is Windhoek at high altitude?
Yes, Windhoek sits at 1,700 m (5,577 ft). Give yourself a day or two to acclimatize.
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