Maputo travel guide

Overview

This sprawling city of Mozambique was one of the most beautiful and fashionable cities on the African continent. Influenced largely by Portuguese colonial rule in the 18th century, its charm exists in a sophisticated international atmosphere, elegant buildings, and wide, shaded avenues.

Maputo, originally known as Lourenzo Marques before independence, became the capital of Mozambique in 1898 and the city established itself as a major trade and industry centre. Subsequently, it boasts the country's most important harbour.

Following decolonisation, the civil war which raged for 17 years during the 1970s and 80s had a devastating effect on Maputo. It reduced the proud city to a state of disrepair, with thousands of immigrants taking over from where the wealthy socialites left off.

The city has worked hard to recreate some of its former grandeur, with the five-star Polana Hotel once again abuzz with the gossip of the rich and famous. Restaurants will predictably be serving up the regions famous peri-peri prawns.

Today, Maputo is a lively mix of people, with lots of markets and street vendors, a vibrant café culture, buzzing nightclubs, and a relaxed pace of life. It's rundown and somewhat dilapidated, but Maputo can be a fun and interesting stop on a Mozambique holiday.

Many visitors are simply passing through on their way to popular coastal regions and islands like Inhaca, situated just off the coast and a popular spot for diving and snorkelling. It's worth spending at least a few hours strolling around the city.

Central Market

The Central Market spills out of a beautiful yet charmingly shabby old building. It's a hub of activity offering all kinds of goods, from fruit and vegetables, a variety of seafood, and household items, to handicrafts, basketware, and carvings.

This is a market designed to serve local needs and not tourists, making it an authentic experience and a good opportunity to see how the people in Maputo shop and what they eat. Although it's primarily a food market, one can find many interesting souvenirs and trinkets.

Vendors are ready to haggle, and you can often negotiate yourself big discounts, though knowing a little Portuguese will be a help. Bear in mind that the merchants will usually charge foreigners exorbitant prices, so don't be afraid to walk away and compare prices elsewhere.

It's also a good idea to have small change ready. Unfortunately, the market is a haven for pickpockets and thieves, so visitors should be very vigilant about their surroundings and conceal all valuables from view.

Address: Av. 25 de Setembro

Central Market Cordelia Persen

Polana Hotel

The Polana Serena Hotel boasts one of the city's most desirable addresses overlooking the bay. The historic hotel is a majestic building, evoking the style and sophistication of times gone by with its gardens, Victorian lift, and five-star luxury.

Built in 1922, the Polana is widely considered to be one of Africa's finest old luxury hotels. If you are looking to splurge while visiting Maputo, the Polana Serena Hotel is your best bet. It's centrally located and close to many of the city's most popular tourist attractions.

There are three restaurants at the hotel: the Varanda Restaurant, which is open all day; the Delagoa fine-dining French restaurant; and the Aquarius sushi restaurant. There's also a stunning outdoor pool area surrounded by tropical gardens, as well as a casino, a spa, and other luxury features.

A sunset drink in one of its cocktail bars is a must for those passing visitors not tempted to splash out on an extravagant stay. At the very least, it is worth asking permission to stroll around the gardens and see the view.

Address: Av. Julius Nyerere

Website: www.serenahotels.com/serenapolana/

Polana Hotel F Mira

Jardim Tunduru Botanical Gardens

Located in downtown Maputo, the Jardim Tunduru Botanical Gardens offers a welcome shady retreat on steamy tropical days. The gardens were designed in 1885 by Thomas Honney, who in his career also designed gardens for the King of Greece and the Sultan of Turkey.

Although still beautiful and exquisitely laid, the gardens are not as well-maintained as one might like and are a little overgrown. But they are still a worthwhile stop on a walking tour of the city and a great place to enjoy a picnic or a stroll.

The Jardim Tunduru Gardens also feature tennis courts, a greenhouse, several wonderful old trees, colourful tropical flora, and a statue at the entrance of Mozambique's famous first president, Samora Machel.

The gardens are centrally located and situated close to a number of other attractions in Maputo, with several restaurants in and around them. They're open daily and admission is free. Homeless people sometimes sleep in the grounds at night and it's quite dangerous after dark.

Jardim Tunduru Botanical Gardens James and Alex BonTempo

Maputo International Airport

Location: The airport is situated three miles (5km) northwest of the city centre of Maputo.

Time: Local time is GMT +2.

Getting to the city: Buses service the airport during the day, but the schedule is a bit erratic. Some hotels will organise airport transfer and taxis are available.

Car Rental: Several car rental companies are represented at the airport, including Avis and Hertz.

Airport Taxis: Taxis are usually available at the airport, metered and unmetered, and some hotels will arrange airport shuttles for guests if contacted in advance.

Fascilities: Facilities are not extensive, but food and drinks are available and there is a VIP Lounge.

Parking Car parking is available at the airport.

Website: www.aeroportos.co.mz

Although often unappreciated due to the stunning natural attractions and resort regions just beyond its urban sprawl. Maputo offers some worthwhile tourist attractions and best tackled on foot, with most of its sights clustered together.

Self-guided walking tours should include a stop at the bustling Central Market, the Jardim Tunduru Botanical Gardens, and the lovely railway station, designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1910 and widely considered one of the most beautiful in the world.

The Museum of the Revolution displays the moving history of Mozambique's fight for independence. Afterwards, visitors in Maputo will no doubt love a sunset drink at the famous Polana Hotel overlooking the bay.

The city is blessed with some great restaurants and a vibrant nightlife, focusing on locals and not tourists. Maputo is also the gateway to many splendid beaches and resorts to the north and south of the city. Additionally, the Maputo Elephant Reserve has growing numbers of game and beautiful coastal areas.

Ponta d'Ouro is the southernmost resort on the Mozambique cost, famed for its white sand beaches and as one of the country's best diving locations, abundant in rich coral reefs and varieties of marine life.

To the north of Maputo are the beautiful inland lakes at Bilene and the famous beaches of Xai-Xai, popular tourist destinations that offer fishing, water sports, and plenty of relaxation in beautiful surroundings.

Xai Xai

Just 124 miles (200km) north of Maputo, the small town of Xai Xai is a popular excursion for those seeking a relaxing day on the beach. Xai Xai has a scattering of shops, bars, restaurants, and accommodation, but the real draws are the superb scuba diving and snorkelling sites.

The coral reef running parallel to the main beach creates ideal diving conditions, and there are some fun dive sites nearby, including the natural underwater tunnel at Wenela Tidal Pool, just one mile (2km) south.

The sandy white beaches with their calm waters are a fantastic place to swim, with freshwater lakes nearby great for kayaking, paddle skiing and windsurfing. The resort town of Bilene is also nearby.

The lagoon at Bilene is very popular for watersports, and with safe and shallow waters, it is an especially good destination for families. However, visitors should anticipate attention from the locals selling crafts and trinkets in the region.

For those wanting to extend their stay, there are some great accommodation options, including good budget accommodation for backpackers. The roads between Maputo and Xai Xai are in good condition and traversable without a 4x4 vehicle, which is a big advantage for day-trippers.

Xai Xai Erik Cleves Kristensen

Ponta dOuro

Located along a sandy road just south of Maputo, Ponta d'Ouro is home to some of the most perfect waves in Africa. Offering spectacular dive sites and a wealth of sea creatures, it is a popular destination with surfers, divers, and underwater enthusiasts.

Swimming with dolphins is a must and can be a deeply rewarding and life-changing experience. Stroll along white beaches stretching far into the distance or explore the rock pools full of colourful shells and corals.

Local specialities and trinkets include the locally produced Tipo Tinto Rum, tasting slightly of vanilla and perfect with pineapple or raspberry juice, as well as hardwood carvings in all shapes and sizes. Customers should avoid beautiful shells as are potentially stolen off local reefs.

Tours of local pubs, called shebeens, allow visitors to explore the rustic drinking-houses along a stretch of rough road. Accommodation ranges from rustic to luxurious, with lovely campsites right on the beach. Ponta d'Ouro is accessible from South Africa, making it a great addition to a tour of southern Africa.

Address: 75 miles (120km) south of Maputo

Go diving in Ponta d'Ouro Derek Keats

Inhaca Island

Situated almost 25 miles (40km) off the coast of Maputo, Inhaca Island is an immensely popular African resort destination. It boasts beautiful beaches, some of the Mozambique Channel's best coral reefs, a historic lighthouse, a marine biology museum, and large areas of protected forest.

Easily accessible from the capital, it's a favourite among snorkelers and divers who usually head for the reefs at Santa Maria, the lighthouse, or the surrounding sunken wrecks. The Santa Maria reefs have strong drift currents running parallel to the shore.

They're fantastic for snorkelling, while the Wall is a rocky ledge that drops some 66 feet (20m) to the bottom, harbouring numerous caves and ledges filled with a variety of marine life. Game fishing and water sports like water skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, and sailing are also popular on the island.

Beautiful beaches ring Inhaca, visitors can enjoy a sunset cruise or take boats across to the deserted island. The resort has a tennis court and swimming pool, with excursions available to the biology station, lighthouse beach, the mangrove swamps, and the Santa Maria Wall.

Restaurants are mostly limited to the lodge. However, the nearby village has a takeaway burger stand and an attached seafood restaurant, as well as a few small shops selling typical tourist tat like sarongs and seashells. There is no real nightlife on the island, though the lodge has a bar.

Many tourists find a visit to Inhaca Island a pleasant way to spend time while in Maputo. However, visitors should be prepared to pay dearly for every service on the island, including a tourist tax levied the second you step off the boat. Swimmers should also take care, as the bluebottles occasionally inundate the beach.