Guinea · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Guinea
These are the places we would point a friend to in Guinea, from Conakry's markets and the beaches of the Iles de Los to the waterfalls of Kindia and the Fouta Djallon and the forests around Nzerekore. Small businesses change quietly here, so check opening times locally before you set out.
Places to Visit in Conakry
Arts and Culture
- Grande Mosquee Faycal (Camayenne)
One of the largest mosques in West Africa, a striking landmark beside the botanical garden. - Musee National de Guinee (Sandervalia, Kaloum)
Masks, carvings and instruments from every region of Guinea in a small, thoughtful museum. - Cathedrale Sainte Marie de Conakry (Kaloum)
The city's grand Catholic cathedral, a fine example of colonial era architecture. - Palais du Peuple (Kaloum)
The national assembly building and the venue for big concerts and state events. - Centre Culturel Franco Guineen (Kaloum)
Concerts, films, exhibitions and dance shows, a hub of the city's creative scene. - Les Ballets Africains de Guinee (Conakry)
The legendary national ballet company, worth catching whenever they perform at home. - Universite Gamal Abdel Nasser campus (Dixinn)
The country's leading university, with occasional public lectures and cultural days.
Nature and Outdoors
- Jardin Botanique de Camayenne (Camayenne)
A shady colonial era garden with huge old trees, a calm escape from the traffic. - Plage de Rogbane (Taouyah)
A popular city beach where families gather at weekends to swim and eat grilled fish. - Corniche de Kaloum (Kaloum)
Walk the seafront road at sunset with views over the islands and fishing pirogues.
Shopping and Markets
- Marche Madina (Madina)
The biggest market in the city, a vast maze of fabric, spices, electronics and everyday life. - Marche Niger (Kaloum)
A busy neighbourhood market for fresh fish, fruit and indigo and bazin cloth. - Artisan stalls of Kaloum (Kaloum)
Djembe drums, masks, woodcarvings and indigo cloth from across the country. - Marche Taouyah (Taouyah)
A friendly local market for fruit, fabric and snacks away from the downtown crush.
Stays
- Noom Hotel Conakry (Kaloum)
A modern international hotel on the point of the peninsula with sea views and a pool. - Sheraton Grand Conakry (Ratoma)
A tall seafront business hotel with ocean views, restaurants and a pool. - Palm Camayenne (Camayenne)
A long standing hotel on the corniche, close to the botanical garden and the mosque. - Hotel Kaloum (Kaloum)
A central classic in the old downtown, handy for ministries, banks and the port. - Onomo Hotel Conakry (Kaloum)
A bright, good value modern hotel with a relaxed bar and Atlantic views. - Riviera Royal Hotel (Dixinn)
A seafront hotel with a pool and terrace, popular for weekend lunches. - Mariador Palace (Ratoma)
A well known mid-range hotel by the sea with a pool and lively restaurant.
Restaurants
- Grilled fish stalls at Rogbane (Taouyah)
Freshly grilled fish with chilli, onions and attieke right on the sand. - Riz gras at a Madina canteen (Madina)
Join workers for rice with sauce feuille or peanut sauce at a market canteen. - Restaurant at Noom Hotel (Kaloum)
A safe, reliable choice for international dishes with a sea view.
Cafés
- Cafe Touba stands (Citywide)
Spiced, peppery Touba coffee sold from street stands every morning. - Bakeries of Kaloum (Kaloum)
French style bread, croissants and pastries for an easy breakfast.
Events
- Independence Day celebrations (Citywide)
Parades and parties mark the second of October, the day Guinea said no to France in 1958. - Tabaski and Ramadan festivities (Citywide)
Feasts, new clothes and family visits fill the city for the big Muslim holidays.
Things to Do
- Boat to the Iles de Los from Boulbinet (Boulbinet)
Hop on a pirogue or shuttle for a day of beaches just off the city. - Kaloum peninsula walk (Kaloum)
Old colonial buildings, the cathedral, markets and the port on one morning stroll.
Places to Visit in Iles de Los
Nature and Outdoors
- Ile de Roume (Iles de Los)
Soft sand, clear water and legends of pirates, the most popular island day trip. - Plage de Room (Ile de Roume)
A sheltered beach for swimming, grilled fish lunches and lazy afternoons. - Ile Kassa (Iles de Los)
The closest island to the city, with fishing villages and quiet coves. - Ile Tamara and Fotoba (Iles de Los)
The largest island, with a lighthouse, old ruins and a village feel.
Things to Do
- Island hopping by pirogue (Iles de Los)
Spend a day moving between Kassa, Roume and Tamara by local boat.
Restaurants
- Beach grills on Roume (Ile de Roume)
Fish straight from the boat, grilled over coals with a cold drink.
Events
- Weekend island crowds (Iles de Los)
On Sundays Conakry heads to the islands with music, picnics and swimming.
Places to Visit in Kindia
Nature and Outdoors
- Voile de la Mariee waterfall (Kindia)
The Bridal Veil falls, a slender ribbon of water dropping into a cool green pool. - Mont Gangan (Kindia)
A distinctive peak above the town with legends and wide views from its slopes. - Chutes de Soumba (Dubreka)
A popular waterfall picnic spot between Conakry and Kindia.
Shopping and Markets
- Marche central de Kindia (Kindia centre)
Famous across Guinea for its mountains of pineapples, mangoes and bananas. - Fruit stalls on the Conakry road (Kindia)
Stop for the sweetest pineapples in the country on the drive inland.
Arts and Culture
- Grande Mosquee de Kindia (Kindia centre)
The town's main mosque, the focus of Friday prayer and festival days.
Restaurants
- Roadside grills of Kindia (Kindia centre)
Brochettes and grilled chicken for travellers heading into the highlands.
Cafés
- Morning tea stands (Kindia centre)
Sweet green tea and fresh bread before the road to Mamou.
Things to Do
- Drive to Mamou (Mamou)
The crossroads town where the road climbs into the Fouta Djallon.
Places to Visit in Dalaba
Nature and Outdoors
- Pine forests of Dalaba (Dalaba)
Cool air, pine trees and misty mornings at one of the highest towns in the country. - Jardin Chevalier (Dalaba)
An old botanical garden planted by a French botanist, now quiet and overgrown. - Doucky (Near Pita)
Canyons, rock arches and village life on guided hikes in the Fouta Djallon. - Chutes de Ditinn (Ditinn)
One of the tallest waterfalls in West Africa, plunging off a sandstone cliff. - Chutes de Kambadaga (Near Pita)
A thundering set of falls at its most dramatic after the rains. - Chutes de Kinkon (Pita)
A wide waterfall near a small dam, easy to combine with Kambadaga.
Arts and Culture
- Case de Belle Vue (Dalaba)
The hilltop house where African leaders met in the colonial era, with sweeping views.
Shopping and Markets
- Dalaba market (Dalaba centre)
Fresh vegetables, fonio and local honey from the highland farms.
Restaurants
- Fonio and sauce arachide (Dalaba centre)
Try the highland grain with peanut sauce in a simple local eatery.
Things to Do
- Hike the plateau villages (Dalaba)
Easy walks through farmland, hamlets and viewpoints with a local guide.
Cafés
- Fresh highland milk (Dalaba)
Fulani herders sell fresh and soured milk, a Fouta Djallon staple.
Events
- Weekly loumo market day (Dalaba region)
Weekly village markets bring herders, traders and music together.
Places to Visit in Labe
Arts and Culture
- Grande Mosquee de Labe (Labe centre)
The great mosque of the old Fulani heartland, a symbol of the town's learning. - Fouta Djallon Koranic schools (Labe)
Labe's long tradition of Islamic scholarship is still part of daily life.
Shopping and Markets
- Marche central de Labe (Labe centre)
A huge regional market for cloth, livestock, spices and leather goods. - Leather workers of Labe (Labe centre)
Hand made sandals, bags and amulet pouches crafted in small workshops.
Nature and Outdoors
- La Dame de Mali (Mali Yemberem)
A cliff shaped like a woman's face near the highest point of the Fouta Djallon. - Mali Ville plateau (Mali)
Remote high country of cliffs, cool air and views toward Senegal. - Chutes de Saala (Near Labe)
Cascading falls over stepped rocks, a favourite picnic spot.
Restaurants
- Labe market eateries (Labe centre)
Hearty bowls of rice with leaf sauce and grilled meat at market tables.
Cafés
- Lait caille stalls (Labe centre)
Sweet curdled milk with millet, a classic Fulani snack.
Events
- Tabaski in Labe (Labe)
The Fouta celebrates the feast with prayers, new outfits and shared meals.
Bars and Nightlife
- Evening tea circles (Labe centre)
Labe evenings revolve around glasses of attaya tea and long conversations.
Places to Visit in Nzerekore
Shopping and Markets
- Grand marche de Nzerekore (Nzerekore centre)
One of the busiest markets in the forest region, full of palm oil, kola and cloth. - Kola nut traders (Nzerekore centre)
Kola nuts are a sign of respect and hospitality, sold by the basket.
Arts and Culture
- Cathedrale de Nzerekore (Nzerekore centre)
A large Catholic cathedral at the heart of the forest region's capital. - Grande Mosquee de Nzerekore (Nzerekore centre)
The town's main mosque, reflecting its mixed Muslim and Christian community. - Forest masks and dance (Nzerekore region)
Guerze, Toma and Kissi traditions of masked dance at village festivals.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Lola)
A UNESCO World Heritage mountain of unique wildlife, visited only with permission. - Bossou chimpanzees (Bossou)
Famous wild chimpanzees that use stone tools, studied for decades. - Ziama Forest Reserve (Macenta)
Dense rainforest with forest elephants and rich birdlife near Seredou.
Restaurants
- Riz au sauce graine (Nzerekore centre)
Palm nut sauce with rice, the forest region's comfort food.
Cafés
- Coffee of the forest region (Nzerekore region)
Local coffee grown in the hills around Macenta and Nzerekore.
Events
- Forest initiation season (Forest Guinea)
Sacred forest ceremonies that visitors should respect from a distance.
Things to Do
- Day trip to Lola (Lola)
The small town at the foot of Mount Nimba and gateway to Bossou.
Places to Visit in Kankan
Arts and Culture
- Banks of the Niger at Kankan (Kankan)
The Niger river and the old Malinke heartland around the second city. - Grande Mosquee de Kankan (Kankan)
A historic mosque in a city with deep roots in Islamic learning.
Places to Visit in Boke
Arts and Culture
- Musee de Boke (Boke)
A former colonial fort and slave trade site on the Rio Nunez, now a museum.
Nature and Outdoors
- Rio Nunez mangroves (Boke)
Mangrove creeks and fishing villages on the northern coast.
Places to Visit in Mamou
Things to Do
- Mamou crossroads market (Mamou)
The busy junction town where every road to the highlands meets.
Places to Visit in Kissidougou
Nature and Outdoors
- Forest islands of Kissidougou (Kissidougou)
Rings of forest around savanna villages, a classic landscape of the region.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Marche du Port (Kaloum, Conakry)
Watch fishermen unload the day's catch by the water near Boulbinet. - Camp Boiro Memorial (Camayenne, Conakry)
A sobering site of memory for the victims of the first republic's political prison. - Le Petit Bateau (Kaloum, Conakry)
A seafood restaurant by the water, known for evening sea breezes. - La Paillote (Kaloum, Conakry)
A relaxed spot for grilled seafood and cold drinks close to the shore. - Le Damier (Kaloum, Conakry)
A long running local favourite for Guinean and French dishes. - Live music bars of Taouyah (Taouyah, Conakry)
Weekend bands play mandingue, afro and coupe decale late into the night. - Sheraton rooftop bar (Ratoma, Conakry)
A breezy drink high above the Atlantic as the sun goes down. - Nightclubs of Ratoma (Ratoma, Conakry)
Conakry's late night dance scene moves along the Ratoma and Kipe strips. - Conakry Capitale Mondiale du Livre legacy events (Kaloum, Conakry)
Book fairs and literary days that grew from the city's year as World Book Capital. - Old prison ruins on Fotoba (Ile Tamara, Iles de Los)
Crumbling remains of a colonial era prison set among mango trees. - Beach bungalows on Ile de Roume (Ile de Roume, Iles de Los)
Simple bungalows a few steps from the sea for a night away from the city. - Guesthouses on Ile Kassa (Ile Kassa, Iles de Los)
Small, basic stays for a quiet island night close to Conakry. - Fishing trip from Kassa (Ile Kassa, Iles de Los)
Head out with local fishermen for an early morning on the water. - Chimpanzee Conservation Center area at Pastoria (Kindia, Kindia)
The old Pastoria research station, linked to the town's long history with primates. - Hotel Phare de Kindia (Kindia, Kindia)
A simple, practical base for exploring the falls and the hills. - Hiking around Friguiagbe (Friguiagbe, Kindia)
Green valleys, rice fields and villages close to the main road. - Les Chutes de la Sala (Kindia region, Kindia)
A lesser known waterfall reached on rough tracks, best with a local guide. - Fete de l'ananas (Kindia, Kindia)
Local celebrations of the pineapple harvest when the fruit is at its best. - Weaving workshops (Kindia region, Kindia)
See cotton cloth and baskets being made by hand in nearby villages. - Hotel SIB Dalaba (Dalaba, Dalaba)
A classic old hotel among the pines with views over the hills. - Village guesthouses around Doucky (Doucky, Dalaba)
Sleep in a family compound and walk the canyons at dawn. - Indigo dyers of the Fouta (Dalaba region, Dalaba)
Watch Fulani cloth being dyed in deep indigo blues. - Mont Kavendou viewpoints (Dalaba region, Dalaba)
Wide views over the plateau from near the highest point in the area. - Hotel Tata (Labe, Labe)
A practical town centre base for exploring the northern Fouta. - Trek from Labe to Mali (Labe region, Labe)
Multi day walks through villages, gorges and plateaus with local guides. - Chutes de Hollande (Labe region, Labe)
A quiet waterfall in farmland that few visitors reach. - Vine bridges of the forest region (Forest Guinea, Nzerekore)
Traditional bridges woven from lianas, still used by some villages. - Hotel Mont Nimba Nzerekore (Nzerekore, Nzerekore)
A long established hotel used by travellers and NGO workers. - Weekend bars of Nzerekore (Nzerekore centre, Nzerekore)
Palm wine, local beer and live music on busy weekend nights. - Source of the Niger (Faranah region, Faranah)
The upper reaches of the Niger river close to its source in the highlands.