Port Harcourt
Nigeria · Africa
About Port Harcourt
Port Harcourt (Nigerian Pidgin: Po-ta-kot or Pi-ta-kwa, formerly Igweocha) is a port city, capital and largest city of Rivers State in Nigeria. It is the fifth most populous city in Nigeria after Lagos, Kano, Ibadan and Benin. It lies along the Bonny River and is located in the oil rich Niger Delta region. As of 2023, Port Harcourt's urban population is approximately 3,480,000. The population of the metropolitan area of Port Harcourt is almost twice its urban area population with a 2015 United Nations estimate of 2,344,000. In 1950, the population of Port Harcourt was 59,752. Port Harcourt has grown by 150,844 since 2015, which represents a 4.99% annual change.
The colonial administration of Nigeria created the port to export coal from the collieries of Enugu located 243 kilometres (151 mi) north of Port Harcourt, to which it was linked by a railway called the Eastern Line, also built by the British.
Port Harcourt's economy turned to petroleum when the first shipment of Nigerian crude oil was exported through the city in 1958. Through the benefits of the Nigerian petroleum industry, Port Harcourt was further developed, with aspects of modernization such as overpasses, city blocks, and taller and more substantial buildings. Oil firms that currently have offices in the city include Shell and Chevron. with Agip Company.
There are several public and private tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt. These institutions include Rivers State University, University of Port Harcourt, Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Ignatius Ajuru University, Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, Madonna University, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria. The current mayor is Ezebunwo Ichemati. Port Harcourt's primary airport is Port Harcourt International Airport, (Omagwa) located on the outskirts of the city; the NAF base is the location of the only other airport and is used by commercial airlines Aero Contractors and Air Nigeria for domestic flights.
Port Harcourt travel guide
Understand
Port Harcourt generally known as the 'PH City' is one of the beautiful places to visit in Nigeria. Port Harcourt was formed in 1912. In 2016, Port Harcourt was home to about 1.2 million people.
Climate
Port Harcourt features a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen: Am) with lengthy and heavy rainy seasons and very short dry seasons. Only the months of December to February truly qualifies as dry season months in the city. Harmattan, which climatically influences many cities in West Africa, is less pronounced in Port Harcourt.
Getting there
By plane Port Harcourt International Airport, PHC IATA. There are two international flights operated by Qatar Airways and Lufthansa. It is a 1 hr 10 min flight if you fly in via Lagos or Abuja. 1 Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Nigeria. By passenger volume, Port Harcourt International Airport is the country's third-busiest international airport. The airport, which is located in the heart of Nigeria's oil and gas hub, is critical to the country's economic prosperity. (updated Jan 2022) You can easily get into Port Harcourt by plane.
By train Railway services to Port Harcourt is limited to a daily train from Aba.
2 Port Harcourt railway station, Station Rd. (updated Dec 2025)
By bus There are various bus stations and services available to get you into Port Harcourt. Some of which are:
God is Good Motors (GIGM): This is a popular bus service that can get you into port harcourt, air-conditioned bus. Agofure Motors Chisco ABC Transport Peace Mass transit
By boat From Nembe by ferry. Marine Base water front
See
1 Borokiri Market. By the Bonny Jetty where seafood is sold. (updated Aug 2020) 2 Port Harcourt Zoo, Peter Odili Rd, Trans Amadi 500003, ☏ +234 8168990035. Su-F 8AM-6PM, Sa 8AM-6:30PM. Home of the wasted horse and emaciated lion. ₦ 200. (updated Aug 2020)
3 Port Harcourt Pleasure Park (between Army Bori Camp and Air Force Base Junction), ☏ +234 9094444006. Port Harcourt's tourism investment project and as such probably its main attraction, a park with amusement rides and boat rides, waterways, gardens, playgrounds, restaurant/bar and concert venues. (updated Aug 2020) Izumini River - an hour's drive outside of the city
Do
Carniriv Festival'. Held annually in the city, it is the oldest carnival in Nigeria and it was established in 1988. The cultural diversity and collective heritage of the local people in Rivers state is firmly rooted at the core of tourism. The Carnival starts few weeks before Christmas, and lasts for seven days combining two carnivals which are contemporary Caribbean style carnival and a cultural carnival which turns the ‘Garden City’ to a very colourful destination.
Buy
1 Mile Three Market, Ikwerre Rd, Woji, ☏ +234 8159556960. 6AM-10PM. Port Harcourt's biggest street market. You could probably get lost here. Mile One Market down the road burned down a while back, but should be back now too. (updated Aug 2020) 2 Everyday Supermarket, 93 Woji Road, Elechi. 8AM-8:45PM. (updated Jan 2022) 3 Emmanuel Shopping Plaza, oromerezimgbu community, No 1 Akegwere Street, Rebisi, ☏ +234 811 736 3336. (updated Jan 2022) 4 Olison Super Stores, 38 Mbonu St, Elechi, ☏ +234 803 312 6820. 8AM-9PM. (updated Jan 2022) 5 De-Amiable Supermarket, 52 Elekahia Rd, Oroworokwo, ☏ +234 803 293 1138. 8AM-9PM. (updated Jan 2022) 6 Ofosco Iyk Supermarket, 13 Ogbuga Street, Ogbunabali, Nkpogu, ☏ +234 706 494 0838. 9AM-6:30PM. (updated Jan 2022) 7 Godswill Supermarket, Olu Obasanjo Rd, Elechi. (updated Jan 2022) 8 De Unity & Peace Supermarket, 40 Elekahia Rd, Elekahia, ☏ +234 818 612 8709. 8AM-8:30PM. (updated Jan 2022) 9 Desire supermarket, 216 Ikwerre Rd, Mgbuosimiri, ☏ +234 703 154 8266. (updated Jan 2022) 10 New hope supermarket, 42 Azikiwe St, Woji, ☏ +234 807 421 3588. (updated Jan 2022) 11 Welldone Supermarket, 117 Olu Obasanjo Rd, GRA Phase II, ☏ +234 907 095 7364. 8AM-8PM. (updated Jan 2022) 12 Whiteolives stores, 159 Woji Road, Elechi. (updated Jan 2022) 13 Tee N Tee Supermarket, No 3 Egelege, Off Olu Obasanjo Road, D/line, ☏ +234 803 470 3147. 8AM-9PM. (updated Jan 2022)
Eat
Rice, egusi soup with eba or fufu, pounded yam, papper soup, ogbono soup.
Budget Suya is a kind of spicy meat kebab. Available at the side of any road cooked over charcoal. Wash it down with a Coke, called locally a mineral, or a bottle of the local Guinness or Maltina.
Mid-range 1 Spice Route, First floor, Mall Spar, 1 Azikiwe Rd, ☏ +234 8080233092. This Asian fusion restaurant in the Old GRA district offers nice views from its balcony at the mall and doubles as a club for when you want to socialize and drink. (updated Aug 2020) 2 BCON Restaurant and Hotel, 2 Yola Street, off Nzimiro, amadi flat, Old GRA, ☏ +234 8033275343. 8AM-10:30PM. Buffet and à la carte international cuisine and bar next to pool at a hotel. (updated Aug 2020) 3 Native Tray GRA PHC, Phase 2, 1A Onne Road, GRA, ☏ +234 809 182 0000. Daily 9AM-10PM. (updated Jul 2024) Asia Town, 38 Forces Avenue, Old GRA, ☏ +234 810 662 2000, +234 818 866 2200, [email protected]. Daily noon-10:30PM. Asia Town is an Asian fusion restaurant, also offering Nigerian and continental cuisines with a menu ranging from finger food, buffet, cocktail etc., and an event centre of 500 seating capacity. (updated Jul 2024) Jevenik Restaurant, 57 Tombia Street, GRA Phase 1, ☏ +234 803 336 1707, +234 803 310 4154, +234 704 378 3970. Jevenik Restaurant is located in a serene environment and offers fast food services, sales of drinks and others. (updated Jul 2024) Pepperoni Foods Limited, 1, Alakahia Road, Off NTA-Choba Road, Alakahia Junction, Rumualogu, ☏ +234 909 262 6664, +234 704 628 0947, [email protected]. Daily AM-10PM). Pepperoni Foods Ltd is an integrated food service company in based in Port harcourt, offering quality services. (updated Jul 2024) Sundry Foods, 23 Nzimiro Street, Old GRA, ☏ +234 815 659 2811, +234 700 278 6379, [email protected]. Sundry Foods is a leading food service provider in Port Harcourt for the sales of foreign and local cuisines. (updated Jul 2024) Margaret's Restaurant, 16 Trans Amadi Road Opposite Silver Valley Estate, ☏ +234 8065293361, +234 8170784702, [email protected]. M-Sa 8AM-6PM. Margaret's Restaurant crafts unforgettable dining experiences that tantalize taste buds and leave lasting impressions. Their environment is very serene and beautifulul. You can also make orders and table reservations. (updated Jul 2024) 12:11 Restaurant, 14 Apara Road, Elechi, ☏ +234 906 000 1211, [email protected]. Daily noon-11PM. 12:11 Restaurant is a bar and grill outlet that serves tasty local and international delicacies such as ewedu, jollof ri
Drink & nightlife
There is great night life here. Try Cheers Bar in GRA every Sunday! Place is absolutely packed with guys and girls being treated to awesome music by Nick and Smart. Food is great, service is friendly and the beers are cold! Also on weekends Wine Bar, Bunga Villa (as the locals call it) and Aristo House are great!.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range 1 Hotel Presidential, Aba Road, ☏ +234 84 901307. A locally owned hotel, centrally located. Mina Hotels is a relatively nice and clean place - the rooms are quite large and do not have that "wet" and old smell other hotels in this price range usually have. 2 Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Danag (Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Port Harcourt), 79 Ken Saro Wiwa Rd., ☏ +234 703 746-1745, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. 144 rooms & suites along the city's commercial district on the formerly known Stadium Road. From US$50. (updated Jun 2018) 3 SS3 Boutique Hotel, 10 Raymond Morgan street Phalga, 500001 (in the Rainbow Town district of PH), ☏ +234 7049000123. This is like a cozy compound with a pool sporting a fountain plus hot tub, spa, a/c, wifi, restaurant, and free breakfast. Parking might be kind of tight. ₦ 12359. (updated Aug 2020)
Splurge Le Méridien and Novotel are the two hotels in town which offer high-quality accommodations.
4 Le Méridien Ogeyi Place, 45 Tombia Street, ☏ +234 84 461770, fax: +234-84-461771. 5 Hotel Novotel Port Harcourt, 3 Stadium Road, ☏ +234 84 461540, [email protected]. Swiss International Mabisel - Port Harcourt (Swiss International Mabisel Hotel), No. 9 Mabisel Avenue, Off Peter Odili Rd, ☏ +234 905 388-6166, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Well-appointed and comfortable rooms. Its state of the art facilities, and exquisite bars and dining options. From US$ 80. (updated Jun 2018)
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.