When it comes to buying property in the Eastern Cape, house hunters are excited by the opportunity of living in the tranquil beachside towns of Cape St Francis, Jeffreys Bay and Kenton. Close to the Indian Ocean and renowned for its unspoilt coast, it’s no surprise that both families and working professionals choose to settle down in Port Elizabeth as it offers the best of the natural world, balanced by a friendly town atmosphere.
Some properties for sale in the Eastern Cape will even afford you views of the whales and dolphins that frequent Algoa Bay, making it the perfect location for a holiday home. Properties for sale further inland include houses or apartments in the charming colonial university town of Grahamstown or larger family farms in Graaff Reinet, surrounded by the vast Karoo. Explore your choices of property in the Eastern Cape by getting to know more about the various areas below.
“Whether you're in the mood for an informal seaside escape, an encounter with the "Big Five" on safari, or a choice of scintillating city diversions, you're sure to find what you're looking for in the Eastern Cape. Sunshine all year round, fine leisure resorts and splendid facilities ensure that the great outdoors is always in style.”
SA Venues
Popular areas in Eastern Cape
Gqeberha,
East London,
Boknes and Cannon Rocks,
Makhanda,
St Francis Bay,
Jeffreys Bay,
Kariega (Uitenhage),
Kenton on Sea,
Port Alfred,
Karoo,
Bedford,
Adelaide,
Fort Beaufort,
Summerstrand,
Bushman’s River,
Popular developments in Eastern Cape
Areas within Eastern Cape
![Houses for Sale]()
Situated south of the Winterberg Mountains, the frontier town of Adelaide is a peaceful haven set away from busy cities.
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![Houses for Sale in Grahamstown]()
Located approximately 25km from Grahamstown, and slightly north of the world-renowned Shamwari Game Reserve, Alicedale welcomes residents and visitors with an amiable small town atmosphere.
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![Bedford Properties For Sale]()
Bedford is a quaint village in the heart of the Eastern Cape, affectionately known as the ‘hidden treasure”.
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![Boknes and Cannon Rocks Property for Sale]()
Nestled in the Eastern Cape on the sunshine coast of South Africa, only a few kilometres from the exclusive holiday destination of Kenton-On-Sea, lies the quiet villages of Boknesstrand (Boknes) and Cannon Rocks.
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![East London Property]()
The lush area of East London, known as “Buffalo City”, is situated amongst the Buffalo, Kwelera and Nahoon rivers in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, midway between Cape Town and Durban.
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![Fort Beaufort Property]()
Located in the Kat River Valley at the confluence of the Kat and Brak Rivers in the Eastern Cape, Fort Beaufort is one of the most unspoilt areas in South Africa.
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![Gqeberha Port Elizabeth Property]()
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) is a major seaport situated in Algoa Bay where shores are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
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Areas in Gqeberha
Lorraine, Summerstrand, Walmer,
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Referred to as the “Gem of the Karoo”, Graaff-Reinet is situated at the foot of the majestic Sneeuberg Mountains, in a horseshoe bend of the Sundays River.
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![Jeffreys Bay Property]()
As one of the most diverse locations along the ‘Sunshine Coast’ in the Eastern Cape, Jeffreys Bay (known affectionately as J-Bay by locals) is beloved by anyone who has ever set foot in it.
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![Kariega (Uitenhage) Property]()
Kariega (Uitenhage) and Despatch are two towns in close proximity to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) that together form the greater Nelson Mandela Bay Metro in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
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![Karoo Property]()
The Karoo straddles all three Cape provinces from the Orange River in the north to the Cape coastal mountains in the south. The vast open spaces of the Karoo are interspersed with a wide diversity of farms.
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![Kenton-on-Sea Property]()
Midway between East London and Port Elizabeth, you’ll find a real gem! Kenton-on-Sea, awash with attractions and activities for the whole family, is an idyllic holiday village.
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Areas in Kenton on Sea
Bushman’s River,
![Makhanda Property]()
Pam Golding Properties has a diverse selection of houses for sale in Makhanda.
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Areas in Makhanda
Cradock Heights, Fort England, Hill 60, Kingswood Makhanda (Grahamstown), Makhanda (Grahamstown) Central, Oatlands, Oatlands North, Somerset Heights, Sunnyside, West Hill,
![Port Alfred Property]()
At the heart of the ‘Sunshine Coast’ lies Port Alfred, one of the most sought-after holiday and property destinations in South Africa.
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Areas in Port Alfred
Kleinemonde, Royal Alfred Marina,
![Riebeeck East Property]()
Located approximately 40km northwest of Grahamstown lies the small village of Riebeeck East.
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![St Francis Bay Property]()
Located in the Eastern Cape, St Francis Bay provides property buyers with some of the most sought-after real estate on the entire South African coastline.
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Explore Eastern Cape
![Nature]()
Nature
The Eastern Cape is set apart by its incredibly diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes which range from the starkness of the Karoo and inland areas and mountain passes with incredible views, gorges, forests and lush rolling grasslands to peaceful beaches interspersed along the coastal region. Whether you’d like to enjoy a break from the city, a weekend getaway or find a place to settle down for good, there’s a wealth of choice.
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Outdoor adventure
Head to the Camdeboo National Park for guided walking tours through the Valley of Desolation, Shamwari Game Reserve for some wildlife spotting or the famous Addo Elephant Park. You can also horse ride along the coast or enjoy tubing on the Storms River. No matter the adventure, the Eastern Cape will not let you down.
![Beaches]()
Beaches
Surfers flock to the beaches of Jefferys Bay to enjoy the best of the barrels. The supertubes at Paradise Beach make for a fantastic day out. Other favourites include Kariega Beach in Kenton-on-Sea, Coffee Bay on the Wild Coast, Kidd’s Beach in East London and the ever-popular Blue Flag Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth.
![Culture and history]()
Culture and history
Take a tour of Umasizakhe, a Xhosa township within Graaff Reinet or embark on a history tour within Grahamstown where you can also admire various landmarks and architectural marvels. The Eastern Cape will not disappoint those who seek the roots of Africa.
Living in Eastern Cape
Education
There are various public and private schools in the Eastern Cape, mostly situated in popular residential areas or towns such as East London and Port Elizabeth. Grahamstown is known as an educational hub and is home to the highly esteemed Rhodes University. The province is also home to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, the University of Fort Hare and Eastern Cape Technikon.
Healthcare
Most towns in the Eastern Cape offer local clinics, doctors and dentists to service the broader community in surrounding areas, so no matter where you choose to settle, you’ll never be far from medical care. There are also 5 Netcare hospitals within this region (found in Grahamstown, Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage) and a number of Life Healthcare Private Hospitals offering general and specialised treatments.
Shopping
Various shopping centres and convenience stores are dotted across most towns, especially those that serve as popular holiday destinations. Some of the larger centres offering an even wider variety of retail choice under one roof include Hemingways Mall, Vincent Park Shopping Centre and Beacon Bay Retail Park in East London, Greenacres Shopping Centre and Walmer Park in PE.
Travel
As the province lies between KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, there are a number of highways and arterial routes that connect to these surrounding areas as well as those further inland such as the eastern Karoo. This region is also serviced by tarred roads and train stations in the more populous areas while those a little further afield may require a 4x4 for easier travel (it’s more fun too!).