Where to stay on Mozambique Island?
Where to stay in Ilha de Mozambique. Choose from our bespoke list of the best hotels & accommodation on the Island of Mozambique and look no further for information on where to stay in Ilha. Choose the perfect hotel or villa from our list of bespoke accommodation on Mozambique’s most famous island. We offer the best hotels to the Island of Mozambique and package deals for your holiday in paradise.
Travel to Mozambique’s Ilha de Mocambique or Island of Mozambique, a tiny island off the coast of Nacala Province. Its claim to fame is that was the original capital of Mozambique for nearly 400 years. Then the Portuguese moved their capital to Lourenco Marques which became Maputo. And now Mozambique Island is a popular beach and ocean activity holiday destination with tons of history and culture.
Terraco das Quitandas Island of Mozambique
Island of Mozambique Attractions
- Stay in glorious historic accommodation on the island then stay in a mainland villa for more action and relaxation.
- Drink 2M beer with breakfast then try some stand up paddle boarding on a glassy bay.
- See the impressive Fort of São Sebastião (St Sebastian) from the 1500s and the ruins of the huge old hospital dating back to the 1800s.
- Venture into ancient Makuti Town, part of historical Stone Town, where people live below sea level because so much rock was removed to build Stone Town.
- Buy food off the streets from the local vendors – chicken piri piri grilled on the coals, fresh Portuguese bread or pão, spiced rice, roasted peanuts, fresh coconuts and tropical fruits.
- Purchase intricate local silver jewellery handcrafted by artisans on the island.
- Snorkel for hours in the mangroves surrounding the Island of Mozambique.
- Experience inspiring boat trips out to the legendary islands of Goa and Sete Paus or Sena Island.
- Enjoy a warm swim at the Pontao (pier) or eye-opening snorkelling around a sunken barge.
Accommodation on the Island of Mozambique Oozing History and Comfort
Choose Lavish Villa Sands
A beautiful boutique hotel located on the western beach of Mozambique Island, this perfect ocean front location offers a hand-carved boat for guests to explore the bay. Enjoy fresh seafood and a fruity cocktail on the Villa Sands sunset terrace. Created from three old warehouses, this Mozambique Hotel offers eight en-suite double rooms with king size beds, air-conditioning, ceiling fans and stunning views. An exclusive rooftop suite boasts another three double rooms with private verandas overlooking the bay at Ilha de Mozambique.
Coral Lodge
Just over the bay and overlooking Mozambique Island lies Coral Lodge. Just ten exquisite Villas that are perfect for couples and families alike. You get transferred by a short boat ride to enjoy the history and culture of The Island of Mozambique in style. Then return to the peace and quite of this beach lodge.
Book into Jardim dos Aloes
At last, eccentric accommodation that stands out from the crowd – the Garden of Aloes (Jardim dos Aloés), is located in the heart of Stone Town and reflects the history and imagination of bygone eras on the Island of Mozambique. A charming family-run bed and breakfast decorated in colourful fabrics and featuring a fascinating array of old clocks, gramophones, radios and other relics. Comfortable accommodation in Aloe Vera, a 2-bedroom double story apartment for families, or Aloe Arborescens and Aloe Ciliaris, double rooms with king size beds, en-suite bathrooms and shared balcony.
Stay at Hotel Escondidinho
Find awe-inspiring historic Hotel Escondidinho on a quiet street in the Stone City, with a shady back courtyard, quality cosy restaurant and sparkling blue pool. Rooms boast large windows, high ceilings with their original beams and chunky carved wooden furniture. Once a trading house where slaves were accommodated, this charming Mozambique Hotel is now the perfect base from which to explore the fascinating island of Ilha de Mozambique
Island of Mozambique Facts and Figures
- Just 3 km long and 500 m wide, the tiny Island of Mozambique was once a major Portuguese trading post and an important stopover on the Indian spice route for hundreds of years.
- Ilha de Mozambique is located between the Mozambique Channel and Mossuril Bay, in Nampula Province.
- This island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its ancient history and culture dating back to before the 14th century.
- In 1507, the Portuguese built a naval base there and built the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte which is now the oldest ever building in the southern hemisphere.
- This is one of Mozambique’s fastest growing tourism destinations with 16 000 residents, boasting a fascinating blend of Indian, Portuguese, African and Arab cultures and architecture.
It is no wonder that Ilha de Mocambique was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. We love Island of Mozambique for its sheer history and culture, its hospitality and its beautiful scenery. Everything is slowed up in the Island of Mozambique and everything is meaningful. It also combines well with a safari to Gorongosa National Park and read all about the history of Gorongosa here.