Why Visit Port Harcourt, Rivers State?

Port Harcourt is the fifth-largest city and the beautiful capital of Rivers State. Being part of the Niger Delta in southern Nigeria, Port Harcourt is popularly called the Garden City. It is also Nigeria’s leading oil refining centre. You can take a tour of key oil centres such as the Port of Onne.

The city was created by the British, specifically Lord Frederick Lugard, in 1913 to export agricultural produce such as palm oil and coal. Between the old and the new, there’s lots more to see.

Because you can take a boat ride at the much-talked-about Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, it’s also a relaxing spot to jog, enjoy a meal and bring the entire family for a picnic. You can also visit Isaac Boro Park, a city park named after a Niger Delta freedom fighter. You can also take those selfies and have a fête champêtre if you’re in a party mood. There’s also Isaac Boro Park Beach if you’re up for water sports or a stroll along the golden sands of the shore.

Because in the heart of the city, you can also visit other peaceful waterfront areas like the Port Harcourt Tourist Beach. It possesses a modern atmosphere. You can lounge on the waterfront and enjoy remarkable sunset views. And if you want more beach experience, you can also visit Ifoko Beach and Finima Beach.

Because if you love culture, you can visit the Rivers State Cultural Centre in Port Harcourt. Check out the native arts, crafts, music, and heritage exhibits all out on display for tourists to view and learn more about the city.

Because if you are a shopaholic, you can dash to the vibrant Mile One Market and buy things like crafts, fabrics and souvenirs to remember the city by. Better still, you can visit the Garden City Mall for a modern shopping experience, including dining and cinema.

Because if you have a curious mind about religious structures, you can tour Corpus Christi Cathedral. It is a Roman Catholic cathedral in the city, the seat of the Bishop of Port Harcourt, and the headquarters of the Diocese of Port Harcourt. The building is known for its fascinating architecture and is situated in D-Line.

If you want to experience a relaxed coastal vibe with nature and history in the background, and you do not mind the ride, you can visit Bonny Island, which, of course, is a short trip from Port Harcourt. You’ll be glad you did. Also, enjoy a quick trip to

Finima Nature Park is described as a 1,000-hectare land of freshwater swamp forest along Bonny Island. It boasts a nature reserve rich in biodiversity.

You can visit eateries like the SOK Lounge Nightclub and restaurant to enjoy live bands and a delicious meal in a fashionable environment. There’s also the Baraka restaurant, offering a variety of dishes at affordable prices while soaking in the aesthetic ambience. Try out a cuisine native to the city, like the popular Rivers Native Jollof Rice, Okazi Soup, roasted plantain and fish (Bole), Fisherman Soup, and savoury Odu Fulo and Onunu (pounded yam and plantain), among other mouth-watering delicacies.

Because this city is diverse and there’s beauty in diversity, with major ethnic groups such as the Ijaw, Ikwerre, and Ogoni, among others, to make you feel welcomed and at home.