This post may contain affiliate links. By purchasing through my links you can help support me at no additional cost to you, thank you!
This beautiful country in Africa needs to be your next travel destination! Here are 11 of the best things to do in Maputo, Mozambique.
Maputo was my first travel destination in Africa, and it was simply incredible. I never thought I would visit Mozambique but I was luckily sent there for work. During the weekends I spent my time exploring the city and fell in love with this place. Now, I want to show you why this should be your next travel destination!
The weather in Mozambique is quite good all year round, however, the dry season is between April to December whereas the best time to visit is typically between September and November.
A few general tips regarding a visit to Mozambique:
- The currency is metical where 1 US dollar is ~ 64 metical.
- The official language spoken here is Portuguese, however, every region in the country will also have its own unique dialect.
- Walking around in Maputo is generally very safe, expats and diplomats who live here do not have security guards, which shows that you shouldn’t fret either. While there are some security problems in the northern provinces of Cabo Delgado, the southern areas are very safe.
- Although it is safe, if you do not like being followed by beggars, try to limit how much you walk outside during the night.
- Avoid driving a car here, the traffic is crazy, and there are more risks to it (more in the last tip).
This post is all about the best things to do in Maputo, Mozambique.
11 Of The Best Things To Do In Maputo
1. Go To The Mercado Central
The Mercado Central is the central market in Maputo. Here you can find lots of fresh produce and lots of juicy fruits that are special to this region, such as pineapples and coconuts. In addition to produce, there are also lots of stalls selling souvenirs and masks made out of wood, as well as general household items. This place tends to be quite chaotic so keep that in mind. While the city is generally very safe, you should still watch out for pickpockets so keep your belongings close to you.
Afterward, walk around the area surrounding the market. This is one of the most central regions in the city so you are bound to find some unique sights.
2. Visit the Central Railway Station
The Central Railway Station here is among some of the most beautiful in the world. The locals are very proud of it and for good reason. Make sure to visit the station and go inside where you will find an open-air museum showcasing the history of the station. While visiting the station is free, there may be locals who will offer you a tour and afterward ask for a tip. This is very common and we actually accepted such an offer. Not only do you get to interact with the locals and get a deeper appreciation for the place, but you also get to directly help them by paying for their service.
Little fun fact: a scene from the movie “Blood Diamond” with Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed at this railway station.
Afterward, make sure to check out the worker’s square across the street. There you can find an impressive statue in honor of the African and European fighters during World War I.
3. Visit the Fortaleza de Maputo
This fortress is one of the main historical monuments of the city. Mozambique was colonized by the Portuguese before it gained independence, and this fortress was built in 1780 by the Portuguese. Today the fortress is used as more of a museum, to showcase the military history in the region. It is not uncommon to witness wedding photos being taken here, with it being one of the most iconic spots in the city. Make sure to check it out and learn more about the local history while visiting Maputo.
4. Stay at the Serena Polana Hotel
The Serena Polana Hotel is a beautiful hotel located in the heart of Maputo, overlooking the water. The service here is spectacular and the decoration of each room is very authentic. Staying here is an experience in and of itself, while still feeling the touch of African culture in the interior design and choice of decor. I highly enjoyed my stay here and would recommend it over chain hotels such as Radisson Blu which can also be found here.
5. Visit Casa de Ferro
The house of iron was built in Belgium and is thought to be based on the design of Gustave Eiffel. It was brought ready to Maputo where the plan was to make it the governor’s home. Unfortunately, they did not consider that it would be virtually impossible to live in this house. This is because the heat would become unbearable. Today it is mostly used as a tourist attraction and is a fun piece of architecture to check out. It is definitely not every day you see a house made completely of iron. While there, make sure to visit the botanical garden that is located just across from here.
6. Eat at Dhow
This beautiful restaurant is my favorite place to eat in Maputo. While it does not serve local food and has more of a greek menu, the food is absolutely delicious. In addition, being vegan in Mozambique does not make it easy to enjoy the local cuisine. Therefore, excuse the fact that it may not be local, but take my word for it and go eat here. The restaurant is locally owned, and they have a gallery inside where they sell art by locals. The interior design here is absolutely beautiful and worthy of a trip in itself. Dhow is very popular, so I recommend booking a spot in advance here.
After filling up on good food, walk down to the waterfront and stroll down Avenue da Marginal. Here you can enjoy the ocean views while walking down a long promenade lined with palm trees. It doesn’t get more serene than this!
7. Things to do In Maputo: FEIMA Market
This place is actually called Parque dos Continuadores FEIMA and it is the best market in Maputo. Here you can buy incredible souvenirs that are all handmade. The stalls will be filled with animals and statues carved out of wood. In addition, there are some incredible paintings here. You are really spoilt for choice and it is a great place to buy some souvenirs while supporting the locals.
Keep in mind that they automatically raise the price for tourists so don’t be scared to haggle but stay fair. In addition, in every stall there will be a person begging for you to buy from them, so don’t be alarmed but also know that they are not dangerous. Please remember that this is how they make their income, so try to be fair with how much you are willing to pay. The market is open daily from around 8 AM to 17 PM.
8. Mafalala District
The Mafalala neighborhood is one of the poorest neighborhoods in the area and could be compared to a favela in Rio. The people living here have had a huge impact on the history of Mozambique and therefore it makes for a very unique visit. Locals here have had a very important role in the struggle for independence. In addition, there is a museum here that incorporates history and art in a unique way. I really wanted to visit it, however, it was unfortunately closed during our visit. I encourage you to check the opening times in advance and center your trip here around the museum. Here is their website where you can find more information.
Something to keep in mind – although the district is not dangerous, it is not advised to walk around here by yourself. Try to find an organized tour of the district or a local guide. The people of Mafalala generally don’t speak much English, and this may be a problem if you are here alone and they try to communicate with you. Lastly, while here, try to support the locals in any way you can. This can be by buying from their local grocery market or a street vendor.
9. Check Out The Beautiful Street Art
There is a lot of impressive street art to be found scattered around the city of Maputo. However, there is also a specific area you can go to, where the street art covered the entire streets. This area can be found close to the central market, around two small streets. These streets are called Travessa da Palmeina and Rua da Gávea, and here is their location. Make sure to check this cool area out while exploring the city center!
10. Parque Nacional de Maputo
I have saved some of the best spots for last! Technically, the national park of Maputo is about 40 minutes outside of the city. However, it is extremely worth the trip and an easy way to get a small safari experience. The main animals you can find here are elephants, antelopes, zebras, and giraffes. While we only drove through the park, and therefore only saw the animals that wandered close to the road, it is possible to take a proper tour inside and look for the animals that are further out. If you have a day to spare here, I encourage you to consider this incredible experience.
11. Ponta do Ouro
Welcome to the local vacation town. This coastal village has the best atmosphere you could wish for and is only two hours away from Maputo. It lies just by the border with South Africa and is an amazing spot for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Although the town is small, there are lots of activities here, mainly concerning the ocean that make it a must-visit place! The Indian Ocean is known to be home to some of the best diving in the world, and this is one of the best spots in Mozambique.
Although I highly encourage you to visit Ponta do Ouro, I do not recommend driving here alone. As I mentioned at the beginning, I would avoid driving outside of the city in a rental car. Unfortunately, like many other African countries, there is quite a lot of corruption here. The local police will often stop drivers in the middle of the highway, to demand money for improper conditions. This can things such as claiming the driver may be missing documents or anything to do with the car. This happened to us while visiting, but luckily we were with locals on an organized trip to Ponto do Ouro. We booked our trip through GetYourGuide and had no problems whatsoever.
Overall, my trip to Maputo surprised me in the best way possible. From never imagining that I would be visiting Mozambique, to falling in love with the people, culture, and scenery, I highly recommend visiting Maputo and Mozambique in general for an unforgettable experience.
