Districts · Maputo
Maputo by district
A first visit fits in a 2 km box: the Baixa (fort, market, cathedral, station) on a flat grid by the bay, the museum area just north, and Polana on the bluff to the east. Everything outside the box is a taxi ride or a chapa (shared minibus) trip.A first visit fits in a 1.2 mi box: the Baixa (fort, market, cathedral, station) on a flat grid by the bay, the museum area just north, and Polana on the bluff to the east. Everything outside the box is a taxi ride or a chapa (shared minibus) trip.
About these names
- Baixa (city centre)BaixasleepseeeatSuits: First visit, 2–3 nights, sights on foot in the morningFlat, compact and busy by day; avoid walking at night.6 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- PolanasleepeatSuits: Business travellers, embassies, calm eveningsHotels, cafés and bay views; take a taxi in and out.3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- SommerschieldsleepeatSuits: Residential, quiet, diplomaticLeafy streets, guest houses and restaurants; not a walking district.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Museu and Avenida Ho Chi MinMuseuseeSuits: Art and quiet avenuesNorth of the Baixa; the art museum and cafés.2 sightsDistrict guide →
- Alto MaéeatbuySuits: Local food, markets and daily lifeDense and busy; go with a local.District guide →
- Costa do SoleatseeSuits: Seafood restaurants on the bayNorth along the Marginal; taxi both ways.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- CatembeseetransitSuits: A ferry ride and a day trip across the baySmall town on the far shore; ferry or bridge (check).Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- MatolatransitSuits: A large satellite city west of MaputoIndustrial and residential; not a tourist base.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: Maputo International Airport (MPM) (25–50 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Sommerschield, Alto Maé, Costa do Sol, Catembe, Matola. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Baixa (city centre) (Baixa): Flat, compact and busy by day; avoid walking at night. Suits: First visit, 2–3 nights, sights on foot in the morning. Price band $$.
- Polana (Polana): Hotels, cafés and bay views; take a taxi in and out. Suits: Business travellers, embassies, calm evenings. Price band $$$.
- Sommerschield (Sommerschield): Leafy streets, guest houses and restaurants; not a walking district. Suits: Residential, quiet, diplomatic.
- Museu and Avenida Ho Chi Min (Museu): North of the Baixa; the art museum and cafés. Suits: Art and quiet avenues.
- Alto Maé (Alto Maé): Dense and busy; go with a local. Suits: Local food, markets and daily life.
- Costa do Sol (Costa do Sol): North along the Marginal; taxi both ways. Suits: Seafood restaurants on the bay.
- Catembe (Catembe): Small town on the far shore; ferry or bridge (check). Suits: A ferry ride and a day trip across the bay.
- Matola (Matola): Industrial and residential; not a tourist base. Suits: A large satellite city west of Maputo.
- Sleep area Baixa (city centre): suits First visit, 2–3 nights, sights on foot in the morning, price band $$.
- Sleep area Polana (bay side): suits Business travellers, embassies, calm evenings, price band $$$.
- Maputo International Airport (MPM), 25–50 min by the usual route.