• Museu De Historia Natural de Maputo - 1- Natural History Museum (starting point): Situated in Praça Travessia do Zambeze, this museum was formerly known as Museu Álvaro de Castro and was constructed between 1931 and 1933 in a neo-Manueline style, a type of Portuguese Gothic, by municipal engineer António Ribeiro de Mendonça. Initially, the plan was to build a school. Noteworthy exhibits include a collection of elephant fetuses ranging from 1 to 20 months old and lifelike wildlife scenes, such as a lioness with a zebra carcass, located in the large room downstairs. These were crafted by taxidermist Peão Lopes and, although slightly dusty now, remain fascinating. The elephant fetuses are believed to be from land clearances south of Maputo in the early 20th century, during which approximately 2000 elephants were killed. Additionally, there are two rooms dedicated to traditional African art. Surrounding the building are annexes designed by architect João José Tinoco in 1965, adorned with two murals by Malangatana. One mural, painted in two phases between 1977 and 1979, depicts the struggle of man in nature, while the other was completed in 1989. The workshop annex, featuring the first mural, houses the studio of renowned Makonde pottery artist Reinata Sadimba, who works there on weekdays. Observing her at work is one of the most thrilling and genuine experiences in Maputo. The then Prime Minister, Pascoal Mocumbi, among others, invited her to work at the Museum.
• Nucleo De Arte - Nucleo De Arte: This artists’ association and school nurtures many Mozambican artists. It boasts a lovely gallery and studios where artists create their works. The artists are always welcoming, allowing visitors to observe them as they paint and sculpt. Eugenio Mucavele, known for his calm and focused demeanor, is one of the most experienced artists frequently encountered at Nucleo.
• Vila Algarve - Vila Algarve: Constructed in 1934 by architect Augusto da Silva Pinto and engineer Alfredo F. Soares in the “português suave” style for Joé dos Santos Rutino, a photographer and stationery shop owner who also held a lucrative lottery concession. He hailed from the Algarve region in Portugal. The intricate hand-painted tiles (azulejos) were crafted by the Aleluia company. In 1952, the Portuguese secret police PIDE took over the building, with the basement serving as an interrogation chamber known as Kula, meaning “where one is eaten up” in Shangaan. Francisco Langa, or “Chico Feio,” was the main torturer here. Langa met a violent end after independence in 1975, being dismembered in his home.
• Palace of Marriages - 7- Wedding Palace: The Palácio de Casamentos, or marriage palace, was built between 1931 and 1934 by Agapus Nicolau and Nicolas Kassimatis as the “Ateneu Grego,” the Greek community center. It was open to all, with its popular dance matinees being a favorite event. Inside, visitors can witness stylish civil marriage ceremonies accompanied by singing. The palace features several high-quality artworks, including a large painting by Malangatana from 1979/80 titled “The Long Passage Towards Marriage,” a carved pillar by Alberto Chissano, and two painted concrete reliefs in the basement.
• Polana Serena - 11- Polana: Commissioned by the Delagoa Bay Lands Syndicate, with local representative Leo Cohen, the building was completed in 1922. Although often attributed to Sir Herbert Baker, the actual architect was Walter Reid, with Hugh Le May as the contractor. Polana was named after an African Chief who lived nearby, whose lands were sold to Sommerschield without compensation, and whose descendants were evicted in 1946. At that time, the tramway reached the hotel, which featured tennis courts and a golf course (established in 1914 where the “lemon squeezer” church now stands). The aim was for Maputo to become a favored holiday spot for wealthy Transvaal residents. Before independence, around a million tourists visited Lourenço Marques from South Africa annually, drawn by the Latin atmosphere, fado, nightlife, beaches, Portuguese wines, excellent beer, famous shrimps, and big-game hunting further north. The Polana was one of the most modern hotels in the hemisphere, seemingly out of place in the still-developing Lourenço Marques. In 1936, the hotel was sold to I. W. Schlesinger, whose son later sold it to a Portuguese group in 1963. During World War II, the hotel was a hub of espionage, with Portugal’s neutrality allowing spies from both the Axis and Allies to meet their sources. British spy Malcolm Muggeridge was pitted against Italian Consul Umberto Campani and Lutpold Werz of the German Consulate, who supplied information to German submarines targeting Allied ships between Mozambique and Madagascar.
• Saint Anthony Catholic Church - Lemon Squeezer: The Lemon Squeezer, or Polana Church, was built in 1962 by Nuno Craveiro Lopes, son of the former Portuguese president. A miniature replica is located in the garden on the corner. The interior is equally impressive, with stained glass produced by Sociedad Mauméjean Hermanos in Madrid. Its unique shape has earned it the nickname “lemon squeezer” or “inverted flower.”
• FEIMA - Feira de Artesanato, Flores e Gastronomica - FEIMA: This handicraft market features delightful restaurants and is the perfect place to purchase souvenirs to take home, ranging from fridge magnets to capulanas.

• Bottled water included
• All fees and taxes covered

• Alcoholic beverages

Maputo Art & Architecture Tour it’s a tour for those who are most interested in art and architecture the best option is the Art & architecture walking tour, where we can see the best of Maputo’s art and architecture

• from Art deco buildings to the ones of Pancho Guedes;

• from chairs and planes made out of guns and bullets by Gonçalo Mabunda to the artesans in FEIMA.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.