Maputo

Cruise ships dock or anchor in different positions according to their size.

In general, the berth is within 4 km walking distance of town.

Mozambique appears to have altered its visa conditions: visas can no longer apparently be obtained aboard ship, though it is unclear how long this will apply. Visitors from countries outside the Southern African Development Community (SADC) may need visas before travel. Mozambique has few consulates, and where available, fees may be expensive and the process demanding. Check with your cruise line before booking.

Take a printable map along.

Maputo's best-known sight is the Fort of Maputo, also called Fort of Lourenço Marques or Fortaleza da Nossa Senhora da Conceição. Built from 1851 to 1867 on the original mud-and-pole stockade site, it holds the remains of Ngungunhane, last great Nguni chief, as well as plaques celebrating Portugal's colonial conquests and artillery.

Drawn by pearl rumours in the 1700s, the Portuguese founded Lourenço Marques, now Maputo, in the country's south. It became one of Africa's most stylish cities, with broad jacaranda- and acacia-lined avenues, mosaic pavements, tall buildings and a distinctive Mediterranean/African character. Civil war left it shabby, but the recovering capital is regaining former glory and still reveals many Portuguese-style colonial features and a cosmopolitan atmosphere today…

Maputo Central Train Station, designed by Gustave Eiffel, is regarded as one of the world's most beautiful stations.

The National Art Museum has a small yet good Mozambican collection, including several large canvases by the renowned Malangatana.

Maputo is compact enough to explore easily on foot. Streets follow a grid, but signs are scarce, making a map a particularly worthwhile purchase.

Violent crime is not a daytime concern, though pickpocketing attempts happen and are almost certain on busy streets. Avoid walking alone at night.

For longer journeys or night travel, use a metered yellow-roofed taxi, but agree a price first because many lack meters.

Visit attractive beaches such as Catembe and Ponta d'Ouro, which have a jovial, safe atmosphere. Ponto D'Oura and Ponto Malongane also offer beautiful scuba-diving sites, with campsites or beachside chalets.

Stroll Avenida Julius Nyerere for boutiques, vendors and restaurants, and seek out African waxprint and woven fabrics, wooden boxes and picture frames.

Mozambique's currency is the Metical, plural Meticais, pronounced "meta-caysh" and abbreviated Mts. Prices are often spoken with thousands omitted: Mts 150,000 becomes "one hundred fifty". All towns have cash dispensers accepting major credit cards.

The official language is Portuguese; educated Mozambicans mostly speak English.

On Mondays, most businesses and shops open between 14h00 and 18h00. On other weekdays and Saturday, they open between 08h30 and 13h00 and 15h00 and 18h30. They close on Sundays.