Guinea-Bissau · 2026 itinerary
Bissau 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Bissau: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
Old colonial cemetery in the Bissau Velho district, with weathered Portuguese tombstones, crumbling mausoleums, and striking mature baobab trees growing through graves.
🕐 24 hours
Free entry💡 Visit late afternoon for golden light through the baobabs. It's quiet and uncrowded—bring mosquito repellent. Avoid touching unstable stonework.
Hotels near Cemitério de Bissau Velho →Bissau's largest open-air market, spilling with fabric stalls, dried fish, colourful plasticware, and local snacks like grilled cashews.
🕐 Daily 06:00-18:00
Free entry💡 Wander the back alleys for handwoven baskets and djambadon (traditional drums). Haggle gently—prices are low already. Watch your pockets in crowds.
Hotels near Mercado de Bandim →Restaurante Ta-Mar · ££
Restaurante Kalliste · ££
Deeper Into Bissau
A long stretch of grey-sand beach along the Geba estuary, popular with joggers and footballers at sunset. Mangroves fringe one end.
🕐 24 hours
💡 Bring water and avoid swimming—currents and pollution make it unsafe. Best at 17:00 when locals gather for informal capoeira sessions.
18th-century Portuguese fort housing the mausoleum of Amílcar Cabral and a small military museum with colonial-era cannons and revolutionary artefacts.
🕐 Mon-Fri 08:00-17:30, Sat 08:00-12:00
💡 Entry costs about 500 CFA (under £1). Go early morning before it gets hot, and ask the guard to unlock the roof for harbour views.
Morabeza
K
Final Favourites & Departure
Small but well-kept museum displaying ceremonial masks, fertility statues, musical instruments, and textiles from the Balanta, Fulani, and Bijagó peoples.
💡 Entry is 300 CFA—donations help maintenance. Ask for the guide Abdoulaye; he speaks English and can explain the ritual meaning of each mask.
O Porto
Oásis
Getting Around Bissau
Buses are old yellow minibuses with no schedule. Wave them down. Sit by the window—the A/C rarely works. From the hospital stop, it's 10 mins walk to the hotel. Carry small bills; drivers rarely have change for CFA 1,000.
Toca-tocas are minibuses that run fixed routes. Wait at the airport road, not inside the terminal. They cram passengers—fine for light luggage only. Drop-off is near the market, a 5-min walk from the hotel.
Ask the reception to call a driver. safer than flagging one. Negotiate a half-day rate (around CFA 12,000) for multiple stops. Drivers expect cash. Tip CFA 500-1,000 for longer trips.
Agree the fare before getting in—drivers often quote CFA 10,000. The ride takes about 15-25 minutes depending on road condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Bissau?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Cemitério de Bissau Velho and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Bissau?
See our full best time to visit Bissau guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Hotel Ancar, Hotel-Residência Proquil, Hotel Ta-Mar. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.