Tourism and Sightseeing in Maputo

Tools:

Tourist Resources in Maputo

The Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) manages tourism in Mozambique. Their website provides a good overview of tourism in the country. They do not have a local office in Maputo that caters to tourists.

Sightseeing in Maputo

In the 1960s and 70s, Maputo was often-regarded as one of Africa's most cosmopolitan and artistic cities. In the post-war era, the city is slowly rebuilding itself to its former glory - and this period of reconstruction makes the capital all the more interesting to explore.

  • The Train Station: Designed by an associate of the Eiffel Tower, this station is more than an architectural delight - during the day, it houses an art gallery and at night it transforms into one of the city's most popular clubs. 
  • Praça da Independência and Cathedral of Nossa Senora da Conceição: In the center of the city, a large statue of the country's independence hero/first president, Samora Machel, is surrounded by neo-classical architecture and an impressive cathedral.
  • Municipal Market and Casa Elefantes: Dive into local shopping as you explore the endless rows of the ever-stocked municipal market, before walking across the street to Casa Elefantes to pick up some of Mozambique's best capulanas.
  • The Beach: Get out of the city center and venture out to Mozambique's stunning coastline by driving to Costa do Sol or taking the ferry to the ever-more-stunning Inhanca or Catembe.
  • Hotel Polana: A stunning and luxurious oceanfront hotel, housed in one of the city's oldest buildings. Enjoy a dip in the pool or a cocktail on the patio, before indulging in a spectacular seafood meal at the hotel restaurant.

Tours in Mozambique

A number of South African and Mozambican companies operate tours in and around Maputo. Most offer tours and services in English, which is especially helpful for those who are new to the city and do not speak any Portuguese. Some of the most popular operators include:

There are also a number of international operators that organize country-wide tours for groups and individuals.

Festivals in Maputo

Mozambique's festivals are a jumble of historical celebrations and modern cultural shows.  Some of the most popular festivals among the expatriate and South African communities include:

  • AZGO Festival: An art and music festival held annually in May.
  • STRAB Festival: A huge rhythm and blues festival held in May in Ponta Malongane, near the southern South African border.  
  • Independence Day: Celebrated with parades and parties on June 25 across Mozambique.
  • FORR Festival: A rock and roll festival held in September, also in Ponta Malongane.
  • Maputo Fashion Week: An annual celebration of local fashion, held in December

Discounts

Discounts are not often extended to expatriates in Mozambique. Usually, pricing will be divided into national and foreigner rates, with occasional discounts for students.

Update 15/06/2015


Tools:

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Addthis

Recommended Partners

Learn a language

Babbel is an international success with millions of active subscribers and ranked as the world's #1 innovative company in education.

Why Babbel?

Learn and review on your own schedule: Mobile, tablet or desktop compatible, with lessons about 10-15 min.

Expert-made courses: Learn the basics or focus on topics like travel, culture, or business.

Start speaking right away: Learn to speak a new language naturally and conversationally.

Every learner is different: Each course is based on your native language and personal interests.

Remember everything: Babbel employs proven cognitive techniques that move new vocab to your long-term memory.

Refine your pronunciation: Practise speaking and improve your pronunciation with speech recognition technology.

Try Babbel for free today

Registration with Babbel is completely free of charge and the first lesson in every course is FREE to try (Depending on the language you choose, that's 30-80 free lessons!).

If you want full access to Babbel's courses, simply choose a subscription that works best for you. Buy with confidence: 20-day money back guarantee!


Do you have comments or personal information to communicate about this article? Add your comment.


Find more definitions and general answers on expatriation issues in the Expat FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).

Go to the Forum to talk more about tourism and sightseeing in Maputo, entertainment.

Download the full digital PDF expat guide in Maputo

Download the guide: Maputo, Mozambique
  • See in one single booklet all the articles for a city guide for expatriates.
  • Enjoy full colour photos to illustrate each section.
  • Additionnal maps: Region, City view, Neighborhood, Street view.

  • - My Life Abroad -
    A selection of expat stories

    "A fun compulsive read!"
    J. Matcham, Amazon

    "I strongly advise people ready to live abroad to read this book!"
    Patrice, Amazon