Guide to Guinea Bissau
Must See Guinea Bissau
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From Portuguese slave-trading centre in 1687 to free port in 1869 and capital of Guinea-Bissau in 1941, this buzzing town has seen it all. Calmer than cities in neighbouring Senegal, but with hotspots for night owls and cultural sites for history buffs, there is something to interest most visitors.
One of Bissau's highlights is the old Portuguese quarter, with its winding streets and Mediterranean-style houses. The Fortaleza d'Amura, where revolutionary hero Amílcar Cabral is buried is unfortunately closed and guarded. For local art and artefacts the Museu Nacional is small but interesting.
The Centro Artistico Juvenil, which has work by young local artists, is a good place to pick up arts and crafts; you can also watch craftsmen at work. As for markets, Mercado Central has colourful fruit stalls, Senegalese-style clothing and souvenirs. The Mercado de Bandim has fewer arts and crafts but wins on fresh produce.