The capital and the largest city of Guinea, Conakry is an exotic West African port city with great views over the blue Atlantic Ocean. Guinea's tropical paradise, the Îles de Los are a lovely island group surrounding the capital. Conakry has a lively atmosphere with the friendly Guinean people who often gather together in the streets to dance, sing and play traditional musical instruments. There are several colorful and bustling African markets worth visiting in Conakry.
Sightseeing in Conakry is a pleasure, as there are several attractions within a short walking distance. The National Museum in Conakry is one of the best museums in Guinea. It has a good collection of traditional Guinean items like masks, statues and musical instruments. The museum has a free entrance. A popular attraction, the Palace of the OAU is used as the office of the Guinean President. Conakry Grand Mosque and St. Mary's Cathedral built in the 1930s are also worth visiting.
Nearby sights. The magnificent Soumba waterfalls and Mount Kaukoulima are located in the nearby town of Dubreeka only within a short drive from Conakry. The area is rich in Guinean flora and fauna and offers good opportunities for trekking. Conakry's botanical garden has magnificent towering tropical trees and exhibits the typical Guinean fauna. There are also several beautiful beaches around Conakry.
Iles des Los is an island group and Guinea's tropical paradise, located south of the capital. The islands can be visited by a short boat ride from Conakry. The three main islands are named Tamara, Kassa and Roume but there are several smaller islands nearby. Once the headquarters for slave trading, Roume island is famous for Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island. The islands are a popular tourist attraction with green forests and wonderful white-sand beaches.
Historical attractions, islands and colorful markets in Conakry
Conakry is located on Tombo Island and Kaloum Peninsula in the Atlantic coast of Guinea. The roads in Conakry are often shaded by beautiful mangrove and coconut palm trees. The centre of the city is located at the end of the Kaloum Peninsula and the main road is called Avenue de la Republique. The business centre of Guinea, Conakry has many nightclubs with live music and dancing. The colorful markets are best places for shopping in Conakry.Sightseeing in Conakry is a pleasure, as there are several attractions within a short walking distance. The National Museum in Conakry is one of the best museums in Guinea. It has a good collection of traditional Guinean items like masks, statues and musical instruments. The museum has a free entrance. A popular attraction, the Palace of the OAU is used as the office of the Guinean President. Conakry Grand Mosque and St. Mary's Cathedral built in the 1930s are also worth visiting.
Nearby sights. The magnificent Soumba waterfalls and Mount Kaukoulima are located in the nearby town of Dubreeka only within a short drive from Conakry. The area is rich in Guinean flora and fauna and offers good opportunities for trekking. Conakry's botanical garden has magnificent towering tropical trees and exhibits the typical Guinean fauna. There are also several beautiful beaches around Conakry.
Iles des Los is an island group and Guinea's tropical paradise, located south of the capital. The islands can be visited by a short boat ride from Conakry. The three main islands are named Tamara, Kassa and Roume but there are several smaller islands nearby. Once the headquarters for slave trading, Roume island is famous for Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island. The islands are a popular tourist attraction with green forests and wonderful white-sand beaches.
Practical information for your stay in Conakry
Conakry has a pleasant tropical climate with monsoonal rainy season from June to November and dry season from December to May. The dusty Harmattan winds blow from December to March.
Photo: slosada, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
The best time to visit Conakry is from November to December when the weather in Conakry is dry and ideal for sunbathing, swimming and sightseeing.
Flights to Conakry arrive in the Conakry International Airport which serves both African and European airlines. There are also road connections to Conakry from the neighboring countries and major cities in Guinea. However, due to political instability traveling to Guinea by road from the neighboring countries is not recommended. Many roads in Guinea are not paved and are in poor condition, which makes traveling by road quite slow.
Local transport. The most popular form of transportation in Conakry are the collective seven-seated bush taxis which are often overcrowded. Ferries take people from Conakry to the nearby islands of Îles de Los. Car rental in Conakry is an option if you want to explore the fascinating Guinean destinations with a local driver. However, the roads in Guinea are often in poor condition.
Accommodation & dining. There is a good selection of hotels in Conakry and many of them have beautiful views on the Atlantic Ocean. Restaurants in Conakry serve both local Guinean specialties and western-style delicacies. Some French skills are needed for independent touring in Conakry.
Safety. Generally, Conakry is a fairly safe city to visit. This large West African city naturally has its share of poverty and crime, so be prepared and take good care of yourself and your belongings. As the political situation in Guinea is unstable with recent political unrest, be sure to monitor local news before traveling to Conakry.
