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Historically significant island off the northeastern coast of Mozambique
Photo: F Mira from Lisbon, Portugal, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ilha de Mozambique (Mozambique Island) is an island in the Nampula Province in Northern Mozambique with a historical heritage that's among the best in Mozambique, and indeed in all of Africa. It was the capital of Mozambique for nearly four centuries under Portuguese colonization before the move to Lourenco Marques (now Maputo), and had been used as a major base for the Arab traders long before the arrival of the Portuguese. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Also worth a visit is the fort at the northern tip of the island, which contains the church of Nossa Senhora do Baluarte, almost certainly the oldest surviving European building in the Southern Hemisphere, dating back to 1522. Be sure you pay the right attendant, or you will have to pay the entrance fee twice: Ask for an entrance ticket, if you don't get one, don't pay.
Capela de Nossa Senhora do Baluarte
Our Lady of Baluarte from 1522 is one of the oldest European structures in the Southern Hemisphere.
The museum is in the old Palácio dos Capitães-Generais, a big red building up in Stone Town. In the same building is a tourist information office that sells really good street maps and has all sorts of other information about the various restaurants and pensões on the island.
In the Santo António fort, from the 16th century.
Street following the northern coast of the island and featuring a statue of Luís de Camões
And the Arte Sacra museum.
And the small chapel of S. Francisco Xavier
Arts school.
Old hospital.
And the fishing harbor.
Hindu temple.
There's a dive centre at the northern end of the island just down from the fort, but ask a lot of questions, and think twice if you aren't an experienced diver yourself. It's operated by the owner of the Case Caku guesthouse. They can also organize boat trips to other islands.
Interesting decor and exotic menu — try the matapa with coconut rice. The terrace is a beautiful place to enjoy the sunset.
Restaurante Íris
Here you can eat well.
Local specialties.
A great place to have a beer and look at the sea in the evening.
The cheapest option is the camp site on the mainland next to the bridge. Self catering is possible from the nearby shops..
Dorm and private rooms with small breakfast from 12$. Laundry, cooking, air-condition etc. for pay. Very friendly owner. Located a bit outside from the main attractions in the Mud Town but just one minute from the green mosque
A very popular place with three rooms (with bathroom) for rent in an atmospheric 300 year old house. It is said that some rooms have marvellous views. $20-25 incl breakfast. Advance bookings are advised.
Three rooms (with bathroom) for rent.
Guesthouse with a garden. Two single rooms, two double rooms. Shared bathrooms. Breakfast.
Now reopened following refurbishment and is the nicest (and only) hotel on the island. Air conditioned rooms. They also have a good and inexpensive restaurant.
Tastefully renovated double storey building with 10 rooms, swimming pool, good restaurant (the restaurant manager speaks French too), Wi-Fi (better late in the evening).
Casa de Hóspedes Terraço das Quitandas
Is separated from the beach by a garden outside, has six exotic decorated suites, individually decorated, offering you every comfort in an air conditioned with king-size beds or twin size bed, private bathroom, and much space in an atmospheric 300 year old house. Rates from about 75 p.p.s incl breakfast. Advance bookings advised.
By car
The island can easily be reached by road from Nampula. If you're driving follow the road towards Nacala, and turn off at the signpost for Ilha de Mozambique (which is in Monapo).
By minibus
If you're taking a chapa (minibus) they leave from Ave de Trabhadores in Nampula near the railway station and cost Mts 300.
Ilha's is fairly tiny and you won't have any trouble walking around it - it's about a 20-minute walk from end to end, and only about 3 blocks wide. Gabriel's has bikes you can hire for the day.
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Nacala · Regional · MNC
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