Fishing beach.

Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

Pemba

The gateway to the north, Pemba sprawls across a small peninsula that juts into the enormous and magnificent Pemba Bay, one of the world’s largest natural harbours. Established in 1904 as administrative headquarters for the Niassa Company, Pemba was known for much of its early life as Porto Amelia. Today it’s the capital of Cabo Delgado province and a city of three distinct parts. The mildewed baixa (old town) area is home to the low-lying port, the old town and the poor but lively township of Paquitequete. Steeply uphill from here, the busier and less atmospheric town centre is the place to get things done, with banks and offices, a few restaurants, and the main bus stand. About 5km east of the town centre is Wimbi (also spelled Wimbe) Beach, the hub of tourist activity and the favoured destination of most visitors.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Paquitequete

    Paquitequete

    Pemba

    If you only visit one of Pemba's bairros (townships), make sure it's Paquitequete, located beside the bay downhill from the centre. Dominated by its…

  • Wimbi Beach

    Wimbi Beach

    Pemba

    Pemba is all about Wimbi Beach, located 4km east of the downtown area. The attractive arc of sand is backed by a varied but never oppressive collection of…

  • Cemetery

    Cemetery

    Pemba

    Up on the hill behind the governor’s mansion is a large cemetery, with fragrant frangipani trees shading the Christian and Muslim graves. Close to the sea…

  • Fish Market

    Fish Market

    Pemba

    At the Paquitequete neighbourhood’s northern edge is a small fish market – it's a good place to drink in a bit of the local Mozambican spirit.

  • Lookout

    Lookout

    Pemba

    When you get to the end of Avenida Eduardo Mondlane, stop and take in the view of the world's third-largest natural harbour.

View more attractions
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "destination": "Pemba",
  "city": "Pemba",
  "continent": "Africa",
  "country": "Mozambique",
  "region": "Northern-Mozambique"
}

Plan with a local

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "destination": "Pemba",
  "city": "Pemba",
  "continent": "Africa",
  "country": "Mozambique",
  "region": "Northern-Mozambique"
}