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Maputo Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to Maputo

Maputo has been the capital city of Mozambique since 1907, though it was known as Lourenço Marques until the country gained independence in 1975. The biggest city in Mozambique is less than 50 miles from the South African border and as a consequence has a South African feel to it. Despite Mozambique’s efforts to modernize, you won’t find many tourists in the capital; however, this looks set to change in the coming years.

Flights to Maputo
Most international visitors to Mozambique land at Maputo International Airport. There are two carriers, Air Corridor and LAM, that handle domestic flights within the country and to nearby Johannesburg, South Africa. Johannesburg sees much more international traffic than Maputo. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Maputo try Ebookers. If you don’t mind the drive, flying into Johannesburg and driving the 300 miles to Maputo along the well maintained EN4 motorway can be a good option.

Maputo is also easy to get to by car from Swaziland, though you will need the car’s registration papers to get across the border. Visas are issued here and the trip shouldn’t take more than four hours with border stops included. Getting around the city is best done on foot or by taxi. Be sure to agree on a price with the driver before setting out, or prepare to be fleeced.
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Sightseeing in Maputo
Mozambique is just beginning to come into its own after war kept tourists away for many years. Tourists can now stroll the Mediterranean style city without fear, though common sense should be used as the city is far from crime-free. The period of Portuguese colonisation is long over, but the beautiful buildings along the harbour still stand, making for a great backdrop for a walk along the pier.

To get a feel for the local culture, the National Art Museum has a modest collection of works by local artists. To bone up on the country’s less pleasant history, the Museum of the Revolution details the people’s struggle to gain independence from Portugal.

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Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Rest assured, your palette will be satisfied in Maputo. The food available in the city consists of a mix of culinary traditions, like Middle Eastern and Indian, Pakistani and Portuguese. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants lining the pleasant streets, and having dinner at one is a great way to segue into an evening spent enjoying the local beer.

The main beer brand comes in both light and dark brews, and a few bottles should fuel your dancing legs for a night out at one of Maputo’s nightspots. Live music is the norm here, with jazz, blues and African rhythms spilling from the clubs into the night air.

Fun by day – shopping and activities
The main commercial area is the port, where you’ll find a lively bunch selling their wares. Everything from textiles to spices and seafood is available in the Mercado Municipal. After you’ve spent a day exploring Maputo proper, a trip along the coast to Avineda Marginal, where local fishermen sell their day’s catch and locals frolic on the sandy strip of beach, is worthwhile.


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