Malabo, is Equatorial Guinea's capital city. Despite being an oil-rich town, Malabo has a fairly poor infrastructure. Paved streets are few and far between and the Spanish colonial buildings are somewhat faded along the main avenues. But the markets are lively and there are some worthwhile sights to keep visitors occupied. Attractions include the Cathedral and exhibits at the French and Spanish Cultural centers. More about Malabo below ....
Equatorial Guinea's capital Malabo is located just off the mainland on Bioko island. It's an oil town these days, with some high end, expensive hotels and lots of oil platforms dotted around the harbour. Because of the oil industry, Malabo is a fairly cosmopolitan city and there are plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy especially along the main street in town, Ave de la Independencia. In January 2012 Malabo co-hosts the Africa Cup of Nations, so the town will be filled with fans and soccer players alike. Malabo is a relatively small capital, with a population hovering around 100,000. History
The Portuguese explorer Fernão do Pó, was the first European to discover the island of Bioko in 1472. He called it Formosa ("Beautiful"), but it ended up being named after Fernao himself and officially colonized by Portugal in 1474. In 1778, the island, adjacent islets, and commercial rights to the mainland between the Niger and Ogoue Rivers were ceded to Spain in exchange for territory in the American continent. As an important settlement, Malabo started life as Port Clarence in 1827, after the British leased Bioko island from the Spanish, to establish a naval station to help fight slavery along the coast. Newly freed slaves called Fernandinos settled in the town and their descendents can still be found in Malabo today, speaking an Afro-Portuguese dialect. When the Spanish regained control of the island, it was renamed Santa Isabel and finally Malabo in 1973 after independence. Malabo became the capital city of Equatorial Guinea in 1969, replacing Bata on the mainland, (which is still a larger city to this day).
Malabo lost much of its soul during the 1970's under the then President Macías Nguema, who led a reign of terror on the dominant tribe of Bioko island, the Bubi. Talk to anyone in Malabo today and you'll find out that this period of darkness still affects them.
Malabo Today
Despite being an oil-rich town, Malabo has a fairly poor infrastructure. Paved streets are few and far between and the Spanish colonial buildings are somewhat faded along the main avenues. But the markets are lively and there are some worthwhile sights to keep visitors occupied. Attractions include the Cathedral and exhibits at the French and Spanish Cultural centers.
Best Time to Visit Malabo
The dry months between December and February is the best time to visit Equatorial Guinea. It is warm year round.
Recommended Hotels in Malabo
Getting to Malabo
Most visitors will fly into the Saint Isabel International airport in Malabo. Regular flights from Europe as well as Africa arrive daily. Airlines servicing the capital include: Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, Iberia, and Swissair. You can fly the local airline General Work - to Equatorial Guinea's larger city, Bata on the mainland (takes about 30 mins). See more flight information ...
Malabo is located on Bioko island, there are some ferries to the mainland, but they take a long time so it's best to fly to Bata, or neighbouring capitals in Cameroon (Douala) and/or Libreville (Gabon).
The Portuguese explorer Fernão do Pó, was the first European to discover the island of Bioko in 1472. He called it Formosa ("Beautiful"), but it ended up being named after Fernao himself and officially colonized by Portugal in 1474. In 1778, the island, adjacent islets, and commercial rights to the mainland between the Niger and Ogoue Rivers were ceded to Spain in exchange for territory in the American continent. As an important settlement, Malabo started life as Port Clarence in 1827, after the British leased Bioko island from the Spanish, to establish a naval station to help fight slavery along the coast. Newly freed slaves called Fernandinos settled in the town and their descendents can still be found in Malabo today, speaking an Afro-Portuguese dialect. When the Spanish regained control of the island, it was renamed Santa Isabel and finally Malabo in 1973 after independence. Malabo became the capital city of Equatorial Guinea in 1969, replacing Bata on the mainland, (which is still a larger city to this day).
Malabo lost much of its soul during the 1970's under the then President Macías Nguema, who led a reign of terror on the dominant tribe of Bioko island, the Bubi. Talk to anyone in Malabo today and you'll find out that this period of darkness still affects them.
Malabo Today
Despite being an oil-rich town, Malabo has a fairly poor infrastructure. Paved streets are few and far between and the Spanish colonial buildings are somewhat faded along the main avenues. But the markets are lively and there are some worthwhile sights to keep visitors occupied. Attractions include the Cathedral and exhibits at the French and Spanish Cultural centers.
Best Time to Visit Malabo
The dry months between December and February is the best time to visit Equatorial Guinea. It is warm year round.
Recommended Hotels in Malabo
Getting to Malabo
Most visitors will fly into the Saint Isabel International airport in Malabo. Regular flights from Europe as well as Africa arrive daily. Airlines servicing the capital include: Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, Iberia, and Swissair. You can fly the local airline General Work - to Equatorial Guinea's larger city, Bata on the mainland (takes about 30 mins). See more flight information ...
Malabo is located on Bioko island, there are some ferries to the mainland, but they take a long time so it's best to fly to Bata, or neighbouring capitals in Cameroon (Douala) and/or Libreville (Gabon).
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