XO Director Sebastien talks about Maputo, Mozambique

Thinking of visiting Mozambique and not sure if you should add the city of Maputo to your stay? Our founder and director of XO Africa, Sebastien, shares what he loves about this vibrant city with its blend of influences and welcome pairing of old and new. Having lived in Africa for almost 20 years now, he’s a great person to ask.

Where did you stay in Maputo?
Polana Serena Hotel

Who is the city most suited to? Families, couples or solo travellers?
Couples, solo travellers and those who are born travellers and enjoy being out of their comfort zones.

What do you love most about Maputo, Mozambique and what makes it different from other Southern African cities?

I love the blend of influences where the Latino-Portuguese footprint, African roots and the Indian Ocean, create a sensation I’ve never experienced before in Africa. This cocktail makes you feel like you could be in Rio, Cuba or Jamaica as well as on the real African Continent. From the coffee shop selling traditional Portuguese bread and the night life, starting late and finishing early morning. Appropriately and charmingly dressed locals, the music and underground art scene revealing its quality and diversity and the seafood restaurants proudly exhibiting the FC Porto jersey and some of most distinctive culinary Portuguese specialties.

The eclectic architecture, where African shacks are neighboring colorful art deco constructions. Where massive and austere apartments blocks, built under the command of the communist regime, are facing masterpieces of the early 20th century building work by architect and designers like Pancho Guedes amongst many others. Where lush parks and centenary trees grow freely under the warm & humid tropical climate, thankfully regulated the powerful supremacy of the Indian Ocean.

How many times have you visited Maputo?
I’ve been seven 7 times if I’m not mistaken. My very close friends lived here for 10 years, and were my underground guides. I’ve also had the great opportunity to discover the best of the city during our business trips.

Any restaurants/bars visitors can’t miss while there?

In Maputo, don’t go in between. Enjoy cocktails and appetizers around the pool or the scenic terrace of the Polana Hotel, but then go local-like the seafood restaurants Marisquera Sagres or Miramar, right down the beach, offering simple but tasty local cuisine.

What are the highlights of your accommodation/stay in Maputo and what would make you return?

Maputo is also a fruitful business hub with malls and hotels popping out from the grounds at a fast pace offering a new international and modern standard to the city. But personally I like the old ‘palace style’ the elegance and the stunning views of the Bay of the Polana Serena Hotel.

In the city, what are some suggestions of activities for families to try?
Markets, parks, Casa de Ferro from Gustave Eiffel. Don’t do much… just relax.

Any travel tips for those visiting Maputo?
The traffic and original driving behaviors of the residents can be destabilizing… take a taxi, to avoid unnecessary stress.