DETAILS

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Beira is the capital city of the Sofala province and built on a plain below sea level. Sofala is one of the richest Mozambican provinces producing primarily shrimps and sugar. It is a fusion of tropical African, continental and oriental life, a bustling place with a large port and old buildings and excellent beaches. You'll find some of the largest and most luscious prawns in the country here.

Although run down and neglected, the Mediterranean-style buildings give the place some faded glamour. The centre of the city is much more compact than Maputo and can be very confusing since most of the street signs are missing. No one really knows the streets by their names and thus interpreting directions from locals is not always easy.

We depart the quayside for city sightseeing tour and will view the following places of interest:

The Marble Municipality Building situated in Largo do Município the city square. It displays a tile mural of the historical Sofala Castle in its entrance hall.

The Cathedral of Beira, located just south-east of the centre. The cathedral was constructed in part using stone from the historic sixteenth-century fort of Sofala. Apparently Sofala’s fort of San Gaetano, erected between 1505 and 1512 from imported Portuguese stone, was one of the first structures built by white men in Southern Africa. The fort was on the southern side of the Pungwe River and like the rest of Sofala has now been flooded by water.

Next we view the superb architecture of the Casa Portugal, a Portuguese colonial-style house dating from the turn of the century. 

Furthermore, we will learn about the following buildings:
 - The Casa Infante de Sagres, which are the offices of Manica Freight Services, who have restored the building to its former glory.
 - Clube Chines, near Hotel Embaixador built in 1917 and recently restored and containing the city archives.
 - Praca dos Trabalhadores (Railway Station), an imposing building which was completed in 1966.

Your next surprise is “the ruins” of the (former) Grand Hotel near the mouth of the Púngoè River. Goats in the lobby and trees growing on the balcony make envisaging its former grandeur difficult!

Enjoy a sumptuous seafood lunch en route.

We take a glimpse at Tchunga Moyo Market (Brave Heart), which is the bustling market. It is full of imported goods, but please do be careful – most treasures sold here are contraband.

Art collectors will find some of the finest art in Africa in Beira. The sculpture of the Makonde tribe from the north is recognised as one of Africa's most sophisticated art forms. They produce quite detailed and bizarre carvings known as “torture art”.

Before returning to your ship, round off your tour with a visit to Macuti Beach, where you will have the opportunity to buy local crafts. This is the most fashionable and popular part of the city with its palm line sandy beaches. There is an old shipwreck washed up on the shore near the red and white lighthouse at the northern end of the beach.

SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Beira has many interesting colonial buildings to be explored in this tour of its city highlights.  Though run down and neglected, the Mediterranean-style buildings give the place a faded glamour.  After touring several city sights, continue to Macuti Beach, in the city’s most fashionable area, for a delicious seafood lunch.

TIMING BREAKDOWN
09h00 – 10h00  Depart the quayside & enjoy an orientation tour of the port
10h00 – 10h30  Visit Largo do Municipio and the Cathedral of Beira
10h30 – 11h00  View Casa Portugal and the “ruins” of the Grand Hotel
11h00 – 12h00  Next we see Casa Infante de Sagres, Clube Chines, Praca dos Trabalhadores
12h00 – 14h00  Drive to Macuti Beach – and enjoy a sumptuous seafood lunch
14h00 – 15h00  Transfer back to the ship, stopping en-route to view the local crafts
15h00  Arrive back at the quayside

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