Flight Destinations
Flights to Bissau
Places in Guinea Bissau
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Bissau is the capital and largest city of Guinea Bissau, situated in West Africa. This coastal city is at the estuary of the Geba River, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean and so it’s always been a major port. Both Bissau and the country as a whole have been through some problems, though the city is now emerging from the other side.
Bissau is a poor city and there’s a great deal of poverty here. Tourism is on the increase though and you will find hotels and services, however these will not always be in line with Western standards. The higher quality hotels are of a higher standard, but room prices reflect this, so don’t expect Bissau to be a cheap city to visit just because it’s poor!
The Presidential Palace
Once one of the best looking buildings in Bissau, the Presidential Palace is now only a shell as it was bombed during the civil war. It’s testament to the construction that the palace is still standing today despite the bad damage it suffered, so although it’s not nearly as impressive as it once was, this is still one of the major sites in Bissau.
Bissau Velho
More of Bissau’s colonial past can be seen in the old colonial centre of the city. Again, most buildings are just shells and hardly show off their Portuguese colonial architecture like they once did, but it’s interesting to walk around this part of the city anyway.
Fortaleza d’Amura
Built in the 1700s by the Portuguese is Bissau’s old fort. Inside are several things to see though it’s not always possible to gain entrance to the fort. The mausoleum of Guinea Bissau’s national hero, Amilcar Cabral, is inside.
Pidjiguiti Memorial
On the port at Bissau you can enjoy some nice views of the city and will often see pelicans coming and going. The port was the site of a strike by dockworkers in 1959, some of whom were tragically shot and killed by police. The dockers are memorialised in the Pidjiguiti Memorial, a large black fist that stands here on the port.
Flights to Bissau
As the capital city of a relatively small country Bissau is home to Guinea Bissau’s only international airport, the Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (airport code: OXB). Flights to Bissau from the UK can be taken with several airlines, requiring one or two stops. TAP Air Portugal offers a one stop flight to Bissau via Lisbon, while other airlines mostly offer two stop flights with a second stop in Dakar. These airlines include TACV, Air Algerie, Royal Air Maroc, and Iberia.Bissau Tourist Attractions
Bissau is an historic city, founded by the Portuguese in 1687 because of its strategic location. It was developed as a fortified port and trading centre and still features some of its old colonial architecture. Unfortunately some of its most impressive buildings were destroyed or badly damaged during the Guinea-Bissau Civil War from 1998 to 1999, and though some have now been rebuilt others stand derelict.Bissau is a poor city and there’s a great deal of poverty here. Tourism is on the increase though and you will find hotels and services, however these will not always be in line with Western standards. The higher quality hotels are of a higher standard, but room prices reflect this, so don’t expect Bissau to be a cheap city to visit just because it’s poor!
The Presidential Palace
Once one of the best looking buildings in Bissau, the Presidential Palace is now only a shell as it was bombed during the civil war. It’s testament to the construction that the palace is still standing today despite the bad damage it suffered, so although it’s not nearly as impressive as it once was, this is still one of the major sites in Bissau.
Bissau Velho
More of Bissau’s colonial past can be seen in the old colonial centre of the city. Again, most buildings are just shells and hardly show off their Portuguese colonial architecture like they once did, but it’s interesting to walk around this part of the city anyway.
Fortaleza d’Amura
Built in the 1700s by the Portuguese is Bissau’s old fort. Inside are several things to see though it’s not always possible to gain entrance to the fort. The mausoleum of Guinea Bissau’s national hero, Amilcar Cabral, is inside.
Pidjiguiti Memorial
On the port at Bissau you can enjoy some nice views of the city and will often see pelicans coming and going. The port was the site of a strike by dockworkers in 1959, some of whom were tragically shot and killed by police. The dockers are memorialised in the Pidjiguiti Memorial, a large black fist that stands here on the port.