Former capital of Equatorial Guinea
Photo: Denis Barthel, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Malabo is the second-largest city in, and the former capital of, Equatorial Guinea and is located on the island of Bioko. Notable buildings in Malabo include Malabo Cathedral, Malabo Government Building and the Malabo Court Building. Ciudad de la Paz became the new capital on 2 January 2026.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Visitors, including tourists and school children, are welcome to stop in for educational programs. A striking series of 4 backlit posters, designed by BBPP’s Outreach Coordinator Jessica Weinberg and funded by a grant from the International Primate Protection League illustrate the importance of controlling the bushmeat trade. Post cards featuring Bioko Island wildlife, also the work of Jessica Weinberg, are for sale.
Research Centre staff can arrange for guides to the local attractions (the Cascades of the Ilyadi River and the Pico Biao Crater Lake). Because of its cool climate and central location, Moka is the ideal place from which to explore and study Bioko Island's rich flora and fauna.
UNGE’s campus surrounds a common grass covered area with a statue of Teodoro Obiang, the current president of Equatorial Guinea. The original buildings on the UNGE campus were built by the Spanish when the Spanish governed the island. The original buildings reflect a Spanish colonial architectural style with frequent use of arches and low sprawling buildings. The classrooms in the older part of the university are arranged in a semi-circle around the lawn. There is a new building on the south side of the university built in a more modern style. The walls are light coloured and reflective, reducing the amount of passive solar heat produced in the building. The rooms are large and have large windows, which take advantage of natural lighting. The building is square and glossy. There is a small library at the university.
Catedral de Santa Isabel
A neo-Gothic cathedral completed in 1916 with twin 40-m towers.
This waterfall is the longest one in the country, more than 250 m-tall. The route would last around an hour to the waterfalls. It will include trekking across the jungle and crossing some rivers. Sometimes the fog blocks the views.
The historic quarter of Malabo, with a Catholic church and splendid Spanish colonial-style buildings. It also provides a gorgeous view of the harbour.
Local ingredients and tasteful dishes like prawns and creme brulee.
Eat and take-away.
Formerly the Malabo Hilton.
More 5-star luxury and price.
5-star luxury, small design hotel for business travellers, close to town in a peaceful neighbourhood.
Malabo is quite walkable. Taxis are cheap. 500 FCFA during the day should get you anywhere within the city. 3,000 FCFA should get you from the city to the Marathon Oil compound.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Malabo · International · SSG
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Malabo and Equatorial Guinea.
Airfares can be cheaper when booked from the European capital that has a strong colonial link to your destination, which typically means from Brussels, Lisbon, London, and Paris.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyReligion and spirituality have played a significant role in humanity's history. Many cultural sights from buildings to festivals and traditions are of a religious nature.
Wikivoyage
The world has over 5,000 different languages, of which more than twenty have 50 million or more speakers. Travel can bring you into contact with any of these.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.