Mozambique Towns, Cities, Locations and Districts

(Mozambique, MZ, South-East Africa)



Many of Mozambique's main towns and tourist destinations are located along its eastern coastline and in the south of the country. However, it's worth venturing into the more remote north of Mozambique if time permits.

The country is made up of a total of ten individual provinces, which are grouped into three regions - Northern, Central and Southern. Northern Mozambique is called home by the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa, while Southern Mozambique is where you will find the provinces of Gaza, Inhambane Vilankulo and Maputo. The provinces of Manica, Sofala, Tete and Zambézia reside within the Central region.


Maputo

Mozambique's capital city was once a glamorous city, attracting a cosmopolitan crowd. After the war which raged there in the 1970s, Maputo was left as a shadow of its former self. Today, though, visitors to Maputo can begin once again to enjoy the delights of this Portuguese-influenced city, from the Fort of Our Lady of Conception to the city's imposing Railway Station, which stands as testimony to its golden age. Few visitors can resist the temptation of Maputo's beaches. More information about Maputo

Inhambane

The small town of Inhambane offers plenty in the way of good old-fashioned charm. It is, after all, one of the first places to be settled on Mozambique's eastern seaboard, being visited in the late 1400s by famous Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama. Nowadays a little worn at the edges, the town is nevertheless an interesting mix of Portuguese, African and Muslim culture. Imhambane has a fine cathedral, along with several other old colonial buildings, including a railway station and former governor's mansion.

Vilanculos

Vilanculos is a popular base for visitors to the Bazaruto Archipelago, a nearby underwater national park based around the islands of Bangue, Bazaruto, Benguerra, Margaruque and Santa Carolina (Paradise Island). The coastal town of Vilanculos is also a prime spot to visit if you're at all keen on water sports, with fine beaches and lots of opportunities to sail, scuba dive, dhow glide and fish.

Nampula

Situated inland, in the north of Mozambique, Nampula is the country's third-largest city and a regional centre for all things commercial. As well as all the usual facilities you'd expect in a place this size, such as banks, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants, Nampula also manages to boast a number of attractions including its impressive twin-cupola cathedral and the National Ethnology Museum.

Pemba

The northern port town of Pemba contains plenty of facilities, including supermarkets, banks and restaurants. Many of the town's buildings still hark back to Portuguese colonial times. However, Pemba is becoming more and more popular because of the development of water sports in the area, including snorkelling and fishing. The town is distinctive because of the particularly high concentration of baobab trees growing there.

Tete

Lying alongside the Zambezi River, the town of Tete is a handy transport hub, thanks to its location in Central Mozambique. Whilst there are few attractions in town and the high temperatures can be a little off-putting, visitors can still admire the surrounding countryside and soak up the traditional Mozambican atmosphere during their stay here. A drink at one of the riverside bars is an absolute must.