Cruise ships dock close to the center of town.

Printable map to take along.

Watch a destination video.

Pemba is a port town located on the south side of the world's third-largest natural bay, with a population of around 100,000. It is the most important center in Northern Mozambique, with banks, patisseries, supermarkets and restaurants, though it retains a rundown feel with its potholed streets. The town was built over rolling hills, and most people live in wooden huts set amongst the numerous thick baobab trees.

Pemba is renowned for its Portuguese colonial architecture, and is a prime destination for water sports and diving enthusiasts as a coral reef lies close to the shore.

Authentic local market (Souk) in the center of Pemba, where arts and crafts as well as traditional silverware can be bought. It is very large, stretching 2km along one of the main thoroughfares through a city suburb.

The currency of Mozambique is the Metical (plural: Meticais, pronounced 'meta-caysh', abbreviation: Mts.). Prices are often given verbally with the thousands dropped, e.g., Mts 150,000 would be 'one hundred fifty'. In all towns you will find cash dispensers (ATMs) which accept all major credit-cards.

Currency Converter

Official language Portuguese. Most educated Mozambicans speak English.

Most businesses and shops are open between 14h00 and 18h00 on Mondays and 08h30 and 13h00 and 15h00 and 18h30 on other weekdays and Saturday. Shops and businesses are closed on Sundays.

01 January - New Year's Day
03 February - Heroes Day
07 April - Women's Day
01 May - Workers Day
25 May - Africa Day
25 June - Independence Day
07 September - Victory Day
25 September - Armed Forces Day
19 October - Samora Machel Day
10 November - Maputo Day (In Maputo only)
25 December - Family Day (Christmas Day)

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