Maputo

Maputo sits along broad avenues lined with jacaranda trees, past grand buildings like the Eiffel-designed Central Railway Station and the Iron House. The Fort of Maputo, with its cannons and colonial plaques, marks the city's layered colonial past. A short walk from the port, the Mercado Central is loud and packed with spices, seafood, and local crafts. Avenida Samora Machel and the mosaic-paved sidewalks hint at the years when Maputo was considered one of Africa's most stylish cities. The National Art Museum has strong work by Mozambican artists, and the Maputo Fortress sits quietly above the bay. Nearby Ponta d'Ouro has golden sand and good diving, while the Maputo Special Reserve is home to elephants and giraffes. The city's famous peri-peri prawns are best at a waterside café or the Fish Market. Portuguese is the official language, but English is widely spoken. Walking is the easiest way to get around the grid-like streets, with taxis available for longer distances.