Mozambique's capital, Maputo, is known for its well-preserved Portuguese colonial architecture. With its beautiful art deco architecture and its exceptional setting on a hill overlooking the glittering Maputo Bay, the city of Maputo once sparkled as the 'Riviera' of Southern Africa. Previously called Lourenco Marques, Maputo is Mozambique's largest city and home to the country's most famous harbour. It is well-equipped with a wide selection of hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, a vibrant cultural scene and open-air sidewalk cafes lining the streets. Visitors can stroll down the jacaranda-lined streets of the Baixa neighbourhood in the Old Town, explore the Praca da Independencia square, discover the Neoclassical City Hall and view the unique bronze-domed Maputo Railway Station. Other popular activities include visiting Catembe and Ponta d'Oura's beautiful beaches as well as snorkelling and scuba diving in the warm Mozambican waters.
Santa Maria is a small, remote coastal village on the northern end of Mozambique's Machangulo Peninsula, overlooking the sheltered waters of Maputo Bay and the Indian Ocean. Surrounded by white-sand beaches, dunes, coastal forest and mangroves, it is a laid-back beach destination centred on nature and water-based activities. Travellers can snorkel and dive around the reefs and marine reserve near Inhaca Island, kayak through mangroves, take dhow cruises across the bay or head out for deep-sea fishing. Boat excursions to Inhaca offer opportunities to explore its beaches, reefs and local communities, while seasonal whale watching adds a wildlife dimension. With its beautiful beaches, warm waters and rich marine life, Santa Maria offers a tranquil, off-the-beaten-track escape on Mozambique's southern coast.
