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.

Depart the quayside for a city sightseeing tour which views 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. 

Our 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!

Before returning to your ship, we round off our tour with a short visit to Macuti Beach. 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
Visit the city highlights of Beira, capital of Sofala province.  Highlights include the Largo do Municipio, the main city square; the Cathedral of Beira, built in the 1500s of imported Portuguese stone; the ornate Casa Portugal; and the “ruins” of the Grand Hotel,  where goats now inhabit its once-grand lobby.  Before returning to the ship, enjoy a short stop at Macuti Beach, the most fashionable and popular part of the city.

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  Transfer back to the ship, via Makuti Beach
12h00  Arrive back at the quayside
 

BACK TO TOP