Maputo City Tours Mozambique

Maputo, the capital of East Africa’s Mozambique, is an Indian Ocean port with preserved Portuguese colonial architecture. Many turn-of-the-century buildings are in the downtown jacaranda-lined Baixa neighborhood. The bronze-domed CFM Maputo Railway Station, for example, was completed in 1916. The Baixa also has an expansive Municipal Market. The neoclassical City Hall is in the nearby Praça da Independência square.

Mozambique’s handsome capital is a lesson in all things colonial. It was raised to the place of the first city after the Portuguese drained the surrounding swampland.

Then it was just a case of building the grand, imperial likes of the railway station, the pretty Casa do Ferro (courtesy of one Gustav Eiffel no less!) and rings of wide boulevards peppered with palm trees a la the Algarve – bingo you’ve got yourself a small enclave of Europe in Africa! However, Maputo has long been reclaimed by the locals here, and today the town is known for its enthralling bazaars that pulse with chatter and burst with East African batik, its raucous hip hop bars, and that mouth-watering fusion of Keralan and Arabic foods in the eateries!

Things to do in Maputo city tours Mozambique

Independence Square

Maputo’s Independence Square, with its huge Samora Machel Statue, is one of the most iconic symbols of the city.

Right behind the statue of the first president of Mozambique, the impressive Maputo City Hall overlooks Samora Machel Avenue and the downtown.

Maputo’s Cathedral

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is one of my favorite buildings in Maputo.

This simple white Catholic Church was built of concrete and cement, resulting in a modern and striking temple.

Tunduru Gardens

The Tunduru Gardens are the green lung of Maputo and the perfect place to unwind from the city bustle.

Located in the center of the city, close to Independence Square, this pleasant public park and botanical garden is among the mandatory places to visit in Maputo.

Feima

I absolutely loved this place and almost had to be dragged out of there!

Feima is a craft, flower, and gastronomy fair, where Maputo’s artists and artisans show and sell their unique work, from batik paintings to wooden handicrafts, from straw bags to the traditional capulanas (a colorful fabric traditionally used by the Mozambican women for the most diverse purposes: as a skirt, dress, towel, baby carrier, etc.).

Natural History Museum

There are many reasons to visit the Natural History Museum of Maputo, The first one being its eye-catching building in Neo-Manueline style, dating back to 1911.

Then there’s its remarkable collection of embalmed African animals, including the only collection of elephant fetuses in the world.

Maputo Railway Station

Considered one of the most beautiful train stations in the world by several international publications, Maputo Railway Station is certainly one of the most gorgeous buildings in Maputo.

Maputo Fortress

Built by the Portuguese as a defensive structure, the Maputo Fortress is now a military history museum and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Maputo.

The Iron House

The Iron House is one of the most peculiar Maputo tourist attractions.

Designed by Gustave Eiffel, this prefabricated house was created in 1892 to serve as the governor’s residence. But being made entirely of iron, it was too hot for the tropical climate of Mozambique.

How to get around Maputo during city tours

The fact that there are public transport networks across Maputo, but connecting to the right places can be tricky so we recommend hiring a taxi or if you’re on our tailor-made Mozambique safaris we will include your transportation during your safari holiday.

Where to stay in Maputo city Mozambique

The pretty active city of Maputo is one of the desired places to visit in Africa for your pre-beach holidays and some of the places to stay include Polana Serena hotel Maputo, Radisson blue hotel, and residence Maputo, Southern sun Maputo and Hotel Avenida Maputo.