Districts · Bissau
Bissau by district
A first visit fits inside a compact stretch of the peninsula: Bissau Velho and the fort by the water, the Avenida Amílcar Cabral running north-east from the square, Pidjiguiti port on the waterfront, and Bandim market inland. Everything else is a car ride.
About these names
Street numbering is inconsistent and many addresses are given by landmark, not number: tell your driver the nearest known building, not a street address.
- Bissau Velho (old town)Bissau VelhoseesleepSuits: A morning of colonial streets and the fortCobbled, uneven lanes; no stroller. A handful of guesthouses here.2 sights · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Avenida Amílcar Cabral and the centreAvenida Amílcar CabralsleepeatseeSuits: Most first-time visitorsThe main hotels, cafés with AC and the cathedral; the base for a short stay.3 sights · 3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Pidjiguiti and the portseeeatSuits: An early-morning stop for the memorial and grilled fishA working port; keep to the memorial and the food stalls, not the dock itself.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- BandimseeSuits: The market, onceThe largest market in the country, crowded and hot by mid-morning; a driver who waits, not a place to linger.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Chão de Papel, Antula, Bra and the outer suburbsskip as a baseSuits: Not a first visitResidential districts with little for a short stay; not covered here.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB) (25–50 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Chão de Papel, Antula, Bra and the outer suburbs. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Bissau Velho (old town) (Bissau Velho): Cobbled, uneven lanes; no stroller. A handful of guesthouses here. Suits: A morning of colonial streets and the fort. Price band $$.
- Avenida Amílcar Cabral and the centre (Avenida Amílcar Cabral): The main hotels, cafés with AC and the cathedral; the base for a short stay. Suits: Most first-time visitors. Price band $$.
- Pidjiguiti and the port: A working port; keep to the memorial and the food stalls, not the dock itself. Suits: An early-morning stop for the memorial and grilled fish.
- Bandim: The largest market in the country, crowded and hot by mid-morning; a driver who waits, not a place to linger. Suits: The market, once.
- Chão de Papel, Antula, Bra and the outer suburbs: Residential districts with little for a short stay; not covered here. Suits: Not a first visit.
- Sleep area Avenida and the centre: suits Most first-time visitors, price band $$.
- Sleep area Bissau Velho: suits A morning of colonial streets and the fort, price band $$.
- Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB), 25–50 min by the usual route.