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- Fortaleza de São Sebastião (Fort São Sebastião) and the Museu da Ilha — The hulking 16th-century Portuguese fort is the island’s anchor: walk the ramparts, see cannons and vaulted rooms, and visit the small museum inside to get the colonial and maritime context that makes the town what it is.
- Capela de Nossa Senhora do Baluarte — Often flagged as one of the oldest European-built chapels in the southern hemisphere (early 1500s). Tiny, atmospheric and carved of coral stone, it’s a direct, tangible link to the very earliest days of European presence on the east African coast.
- Old Town’s coral-stone streets and makuti roofs — Not a single building but an experience: wandering the narrow lanes lined with coral masonry houses and thatched roofs is the best way to feel the island’s layered history
- Fortaleza de São Sebastião (Fort São Sebastião) and the Museu da Ilha — The hulking 16th-century Portuguese fort is the island’s anchor: walk the ramparts, see cannons and vaulted rooms, and visit the small museum inside to get the colonial and maritime context that makes the town what it is.
- Capela de Nossa Senhora do Baluarte — Often flagged as one of the oldest European-built chapels in the southern hemisphere (early 1500s). Tiny, atmospheric and carved of coral stone, it’s a direct, tangible link to the very earliest days of European presence on the east African coast.
- Old Town’s coral-stone streets and makuti roofs — Not a single building but an experience: wandering the narrow lanes lined with coral masonry houses and thatched roofs is the best way to feel the island’s layered history and living Swahili-Portuguese culture.
- Ruins and colonial palaces (Governor’s Palace area) — Scattered ruined mansions and the remains of the governor’s compounds show the faded grandeur of the island’s heyday. They’re great for slow, photo-friendly exploration and imagining life under the old administrative order.
- Pelourinho (the colonial pillory) — A small but important monument near the fort; it’s a blunt reminder of Portuguese authority and the island’s role in regional power networks. The spot also makes a handy orientation point when wandering the old town.
- Dhow harbour and traditional boat-building area — Watch timber being shaped into dhows, see sailors mend nets, and watch wooden boats come and go. It’s crafts and commerce in motion — very local, very photogenic, and perfect for anyone who likes to see things being made.
- Fish market and waterfront stalls — Early morning is best: noisy auctions, huge fresh catches, and vendors grilling fish. It’s where the local food economy happens and offers a genuine slice of island life (and cheap, tasty seafood if you’re bold).
- Farol / northern-tip viewpoint — The small lighthouse and nearby headland give one of the clearest, breeziest outlooks over the bay and Mozambique Channel. Great for sunsets, people-watching and spotting dhows heading out.
- Local mosques and religious quarter — Scattered small mosques and prayer houses show the Swahili-Islamic layer of the island’s identity. Visiting respectfully (outside prayer times if you’re non-Muslim) gives insight into daily rhythms and community life.
- Small community museums and house-museums — Beyond the main fort museum there are a few modest local collections and restored houses that display everyday objects, photographs and oral histories. They’re low on polish but high on first-hand stories about island families and trades.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.