Districts · Kigali
Kigali by district
Kigali is built on hills. The old centre (Nyarugenge) and its market are in the middle; Kimihurura and Kacyiru, with restaurants and the Convention Centre, are east of it; Gisozi and the Genocide Memorial are north; Nyamirambo is on the south-west hillside. Distances look short on a map but slopes make walking slow.
About these names
Addresses use street numbers such as KN 4 Ave or KG 7 Ave; ride-hail apps handle them, but give the driver a landmark too.
- City centre (Nyarugenge)seesleepSuits: Market, museum, short stays with bagsThe commercial centre: the market, banks, the Kandt House Museum and the Hôtel des Mille Collines; quieter after dark.3 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Kimihurura and KacyirusleepeatseeSuits: Cafés, restaurants, longer staysThe restaurant and café district near the Convention Centre; wide pavements but steady hills.2 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- GisoziseeSuits: One heavy morningHome of the Kigali Genocide Memorial; plan a half-day and nothing demanding after.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- NyamiramboseeeatSuits: Late afternoon walks, brochettes, tailorsThe mosque quarter and the liveliest street life in Kigali; walk after 15:30 and take a car back.The mosque quarter and the liveliest street life in Kigali; walk after 3:30 PM and take a car back.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- KiyovusleepSuits: Quieter stays near the centreA leafy, residential hill between the centre and the ridges; hotels and embassies.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Kimironko and Remeraskip as a baseSuits: Local life and marketsBusy neighbourhoods with a large market, useful if you have a local host.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: Kigali International Airport (KGL) (25–50 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Kiyovu, Kimironko and Remera. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- City centre (Nyarugenge): The commercial centre: the market, banks, the Kandt House Museum and the Hôtel des Mille Collines; quieter after dark. Suits: Market, museum, short stays with bags. Price band $$.
- Kimihurura and Kacyiru: The restaurant and café district near the Convention Centre; wide pavements but steady hills. Suits: Cafés, restaurants, longer stays. Price band $$$.
- Gisozi: Home of the Kigali Genocide Memorial; plan a half-day and nothing demanding after. Suits: One heavy morning.
- Nyamirambo: The mosque quarter and the liveliest street life in Kigali; walk after 15:30 and take a car back.The mosque quarter and the liveliest street life in Kigali; walk after 3:30 PM and take a car back. Suits: Late afternoon walks, brochettes, tailors.
- Kiyovu: A leafy, residential hill between the centre and the ridges; hotels and embassies. Suits: Quieter stays near the centre.
- Kimironko and Remera: Busy neighbourhoods with a large market, useful if you have a local host. Suits: Local life and markets.
- Sleep area City centre (Nyarugenge): suits Market, museum, short stays with bags, price band $$.
- Sleep area Kimihurura: suits Cafés, restaurants, longer stays, price band $$$.
- Kigali International Airport (KGL), 25–50 min by the usual route.