Book flights to Maputo (MPM)

Book your visit to Maputo

Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, is a fascinating mix of local culture and its colonial Portuguese heritage, showcased most notably through the city’s architecture, culture and language. Maputo is filled with wide boulevards and large parks, and a vibrant social scene.

Maputo is also an excellent beach destination for families, with easy access to some of the country’s best beaches including the Costa do Sol, Inhaca and Marracuene. The city feels young, exciting and vibrant, with a sprinkling of Portuguese-inspired buildings along broad, tree-lined streets. Shopping is a scintillating blend of markets, boutiques and malls.

The restaurants and cafés in Maputo serve a fusion of international cuisine as well as local specialities, with Portuguese, Indian and Middle Eastern influences. A warm climate makes Maputo an ideal destination year-round.

Things to do in Maputo

If you’re a history and architecture enthusiast, Maputo is a real gem. The Praça dos Trabalhadores train station designed by José Ferreira da Costa is a spectacular structure of intricate iron latticework. Art lovers have a choice of superb art museums and galleries to explore such as the National Art Gallery of Mozambique, the Chissano Gallery, and Núcleo De Arte Digital.

For exhibitions, dance, music and a lovely day out, the Centro Cultural Franco-Moçambicano is the cultural centre of the city.

Activities in Maputo

Maputo isn’t just a great beach destination. It’s also the gateway to safari adventures. Maputo National Park is one of the most diverse in Africa, with stunning coastal sand dunes, mountain ranges and forestry.

In the heart of the city is Parque Dos Continuadores, a thriving open space filled with beds of native flora, handicraft stalls and a food fair selling delicious treats.

If you love fishing, Maputo is the gateway to some of the best deep-sea sports fishing along the coast. Hire a speedboat to take you out to catch tuna, marlin and sailfish.

To see the city from a totally different perspective, take a sunset cruise around Maputo Bay or take a day trip to Inhaca Island, home to numerous shipwrecks. Dive tours take you down to see these ancient ships and the marine wildlife.

Food in Maputo

Cassava and rice are staples in Mozambican cuisine. Rich stews also tend to be served with xima, a maize porridge similar to polenta. When in Maputo, you have to try the national dish Mutapa, which is made by braising cassava leaves in coconut milk, seasoned with onions, tomatoes and dried shrimp. The result is a creamy, savoury sauce with a hint of that coconut flavour, served with xima or rice. You’ll also notice the Portuguese and Indian influence on local cuisine. Peri-peri seasoning is a popular marinade for grilled chicken and seafood, enhanced with birds-eye chilli for a kick.

Street food lovers must look out for chamuças, which are the Mozambique equivalent of Indian samosas stuffed with various fillings such as meat, fish and cheese and potatoes.

Maputo is a coastal city, so you’ll find plenty of fish and seafood dishes, especially prawns cooked in a curry sauce with coconut milk, knowns as caril de camaro. You’ll find street vendors throughout the city and on the beaches. For more high-end dining, the city centre is the place to go.

Shopping in Maputo

Maputo has plenty of markets, stores, boutiques and malls. One of the busiest is the Municipal Market, which is an ideal place to hunt for souvenirs. One of the most popular mementoes of a trip to Maputo is a handmade wooden mask. The best place to buy one is on Saturdays at Feira de Artesanato. These beautifully crafted pieces of art are guaranteed to be a focal point of any room. If you love to shop, Maputo Shopping Centre is a large, modern mall with high-profile brands as well as boutiques and smaller stores selling local crafts. Other authentic souvenirs to look out for include Batik fabrics, woven baskets and locally produced honey.

The main tourist shopping area is Parque dos Continuadores, where the street vendors sell trinkets and crafts.