In 1892, a German captain founded Swakopmund as the main harbor for Germany in the African colony. Subsequently, it was used for importing and exporting large amounts of goods from other parts of the continent. In 1915, with the union of South Africa, much of the harbor activities were transferred to Walvis Bay. Later in 1990, when Namibia declared its independence from South Africa, many street names were changed from German or Afrikaans names to those honoring native Namibians. However, with business and commerce diminishing, city officials realized that Swakopmund was ideally situated to offer an exceptional resort experience for world travelers.

The city still echoes with its German colonial past which is most evident in its architecture, place names, and even language with many German-speaking citizens still residing in the area. Some of the original colonial sites still stand as monuments and museums of the past. Visitors can indulge in a city tour to take in the Woermannhaus with its attractive tower, the Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht State House which was once the home of the territorial administrator and is now the official city residence of the president, or the Deutsche Evangelisch-Lutherische Church. Of course, there are plenty of other historical museums and sites to visit too including the Swakopmund Museum, the National Marine Aquarium, and the Kristall Galerie where the largest quartz crystal has ever been found.