Must-see attractions in Mozambique

  • Mozambique, Bazaruto Archipelago. Divers kit up on a zodiac, ready to explore the stunning coral reefs off Benguerra Island.

    Bazaruto National Park

    Bazaruto Archipelago

    This1400-sq-km park protects the five islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago, plus surrounding waters. Thanks to this protected status, and to the…

  • Cascata

    Mozambique

    Don't worry if you haven't the time or energy to summit Mt Namúli. Equally memorable is the 8km (one way) hike to the cascata (waterfall) in the hills…

  • Chissano Gallery

    Maputo

    Works of renowned sculptor Alberto Chissano, as well as his remains, are on display in his family’s residence at the Chissano Gallery. Taxis from central…

  • National Art Museum

    Maputo

    Half a block west of Avenida Karl Marx, the National Art Museum has an excellent collection of paintings and sculptures by Mozambique’s finest…

  • Mozambique, Maputo, the Baixa area, the victorian style railway station designed by G. Eiffel in 1910

    Train Station

    Maputo

    Maputo’s landmark train station is one of the city’s most imposing buildings. The dome was designed by an associate of Alexandre Gustav Eiffel (of Eiffel…

  • Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) in water

    Gorongosa National Park

    Mozambique

    Though Gorongosa’s infrastructure is still being rehabilitated after the ravages of the civil war, and animal populations can’t yet compare with those in…

  • Aerial view of an island in the Quirimbas Archipelago near Pemba in northern Mozambique

    Parque Nacional das Quirimbas

    Northern Mozambique

    The Quirimbas National Park contains most of the southern Quirimbas islands (including Ibo, Medjumbe and Matemo) along with a large tract of coastal…

  • Palace & Chapel of São Paulo

    Northern Mozambique

    This imposing terracotta edifice – the former governor’s residence and now a museum – dates from 1610. The interior hosts the recently refurbished Museu…

  • Fort of São Sebastião

    Northern Mozambique

    The island’s northern end is dominated by the massive Fort of São Sebastião – the oldest complete fort still standing in sub-Saharan Africa and, arguably,…

  • Mt Namúli

    Mozambique

    Rising up from the hills about 15km northeast of Gurúè are the mist-shrouded slopes of Mt Namúli (2419m), from which flow the Licungo (Lugela) and Malema…

  • Wimbi Beach

    Pemba

    Pemba is all about Wimbi Beach, located 4km east of the downtown area. The attractive arc of sand is backed by a varied but never oppressive collection of…

  • Praca da Independencia, Maputo, Mozambique, Africa

    Praça da Independência

    Maputo

    This wide and imposing plaza is the gateway from the upper part of town to the baixa. It's rimmed by several notable buildings and well worth a stroll.

  • Goa Island

    Northern Mozambique

    This tiny island (known locally as Watólofu) is about 5km east of Mozambique Island. It has a lighthouse that was built during the 1870s, and is today run…

  • Fort of São João Baptista

    Northern Mozambique

    At the island’s northern end is the star-shaped Fort of São João Baptista, built in 1791 and designed to accommodate up to 300 people. When Ibo was linked…

  • Niassa Reserve

    Northern Mozambique

    About 160km northeast of Lichinga on the Tanzanian border is the Niassa Reserve, a vast tract of wilderness with the largest wildlife populations in…

  • Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte

    Northern Mozambique

    In the shadow of the São Sebastião fort on the island’s northern tip is the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte, built in 1522 and considered to be the…

  • Praça dos Heróis Moçambicanos

    Maputo

    The large Praça dos Heróis Moçambicanos, along Avenida Acordos de Lusaka near the airport, is notable for its 95m-long mural commemorating the revolution…

  • Paquitequete

    Pemba

    If you only visit one of Pemba's bairros (townships), make sure it's Paquitequete, located beside the bay downhill from the centre. Dominated by its…

  • Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios

    Northern Mozambique

    This isolated church, tucked behind the mangroves close to the shore, retains a rare beauty enhanced by both its age and its setting. Built on the orders…

  • Catapu Forest Reserve

    Mozambique

    Catapu is a 250-sq-km sustainable forestry concession situated 30km south of Caia on either side of the EN1. It's home to the M'phingwe Lodge and is known…

  • Sena Island

    Northern Mozambique

    About 2km south of Goa Island is Sena Island. It takes its name from its location along the old sea route aiming towards the trading centre of Sena, on…

  • Mt Gorongosa

    Mozambique

    Mt Gorongosa (1862m) is Mozambique’s fourth-highest mountain. Located just outside Gorongosa National Park, it's steeped in local lore and known for its…

  • Casa das Conchas

    Northern Mozambique

    There's no mistaking how the house of shells (sometimes called the Cowrie House) got its name. The whole facade is covered in them and they make a unique…

  • Casa dos Novios

    Mozambique

    This isolated house high above the tea fields has become a ruin since the erstwhile guard left about 10 years ago, but it's still a good target for a day…

  • Macuti Beach

    Mozambique

    Macuti Beach is one of the better places in town to relax, though it can’t compare with the coastline further south or north. The water is moderately…

  • Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário

    Northern Mozambique

    Ibo might be 99% Muslim, but its most striking religious building is this whitewashed, weather-worn Catholic church that anchors the main square, a legacy…

  • Fort

    Maputo

    The old fort was built by the Portuguese in the mid-19th century near the site of an earlier fort. Inside is a garden and a small museum with remnants…

  • Grande Hotel

    Mozambique

    At the southern tip of Beira’s Ponta Gêa neighbourhood, within football-punting distance of the Indian Ocean, sits one of Mozambique’s biggest…

  • Missão de Boroma

    Mozambique

    About 25km northwest of Tete, overlooking the river, is the Missão de Boroma. Founded in 1885 by Jesuit missionaries, it was known for its colégio (school…

  • Cathedral of Nossa Senhora de Fátima

    Northern Mozambique

    Easily Nampula's most handsome and attention-drawing sight, the creamy white city cathedral dates from the late colonial period: the Portuguese finished…

  • Cabeça do Velho

    Mozambique

    Located 4km northeast of the town centre, this diminutive, craggy hill rises precipitously out of the surrounding flatness looking not unlike the head of…

  • Camões Statue

    Northern Mozambique

    Looking like a cross between Shakespeare and Cervantes, this statue of Portuguese poet Luís de Camões stands sentinel over a small triangular park by the…

  • City Hall

    Maputo

    The hulking, neoclassical City Hall looks down over the baixa area from a low hill at the top of Avenida Samora Machel. The building, which was completed…

  • Chinamapere Rock Paintings

    Mozambique

    Depicting animal and human figures, these rock paintings are thousands of years old (exact dates vary) and are thought to have been left by the San people…

  • Igreja da Misericórdia

    Northern Mozambique

    With a distinctive white facade, this church is best viewed while sitting at a table in the Café-Bar Áncora d’Ouro opposite. The original church was…

  • Chimanimani National Reserve

    Mozambique

    The Chimanimani National Reserve, created in 2003, is part of the larger Chimanimani Transfrontier Conservation Area (ACTF). Together with Chimanimani…

  • Cathedral of Nossa Senhora da Conceição

    Maputo

    With its simple but imposing lines and soaring, white spire, this cathedral is one of Maputo's most attractive buildings. It was completed in 1944. Inside…

  • President's Residence

    Maputo

    Mozambique's presidential complex is a beautiful and impressive structure overlooking Maputo Bay. Photographs are not permitted. It is also not permitted…

  • Iron House

    Maputo

    This house was designed by Eiffel (or an associate) in the late 19th century as the governor’s residence, but its metal-plated exterior proved unsuitable…

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