Port Harcourt

No reviews yetCity Rivers State, Nigeria

Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

About Port Harcourt

Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, is the oil capital of Nigeria and the largest city of the Niger Delta. Founded by the British in 1912 as a port to export coal from Enugu, it grew rapidly around the creeks of the Bonny River and once earned the nickname the Garden City for its green, well-planned layout.

Today it is a fast-moving business city where oil and gas companies, markets and new residential districts sit side by side. Leisure life revolves around landscaped spaces such as the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park and Isaac Boro Park, the busy stalls of Mile One Market and the riverside Tourist Beach, while the polo club keeps an old sporting tradition alive.

The city is also known for its food, above all bole, roasted plantain served with spicy grilled fish, eaten at roadside spots across town. Security conditions in parts of the Niger Delta can change, so check current official travel advice and travel with local contacts.

Best seasonNovember to February is the drier season; heavy rains fall from roughly April to October.

Ideal stayOne to two days for the parks, markets and food.

ArrivingPort Harcourt International Airport is at Omagwa, north of the city; allow plenty of time for the road journey.

6 Reasons to Visit Port Harcourt

Parks 2

Port Harcourt Pleasure Park

This large landscaped park off Aba Road is one of the city's most popular places to relax, with wide lawns, gardens, water feature...

Isaac Boro Park

Named after Isaac Adaka Boro, a celebrated figure of the Niger Delta, this central park is a green open space used for walks, gath...

Beaches 1

Port Harcourt Tourist Beach

Set on the city's waterfront, the Tourist Beach is a sandy riverside recreation area where locals come to relax, catch the breeze...

Shopping 1

Mile One Market

One of the largest and liveliest markets in the city, Mile One is a dense maze of stalls selling fabrics, clothing, foodstuffs, sp...

Food and Drink 1

Port Harcourt Bole and Fish

Port Harcourt's favourite street food is bole, ripe plantain roasted over charcoal until smoky and soft, served with spicy grilled...

Entertainment 1

Port Harcourt Polo Club

Polo has been played in Port Harcourt for decades, and the city's polo club hosts matches and tournaments that draw players and sp...

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Photo credits

Photo: Degini2, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: MediaMOF, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Frenzi0071, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Hadassah Photostorie group, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: MediaMOF, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Bomaexpress, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Wejike7, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Photo: ABORISADEADETONA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Photo: Degini2, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Bomaexpress, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Berekara U. Pius, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: ABORISADEADETONA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: ABORISADEADETONA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0