Malabo is the second-largest city in, and the former capital of, Equatorial Guinea and is located on the island of Bioko. Notable buildings in Malabo include Malabo Cathedral, Malabo Government Building and the Malabo Court Building. Ciudad de la Paz became the new capital on 2 January 2026.
The city was founded by the British in 1827, who leased the island from Spain during the colonial period. Named Port Clarence, it was used as a naval station in the effort to suppress the slave trade. Many newly freed slaves were also settled there, prior to the establishment of Sierra Leone as a colony for freed slaves. While many of them later relocated to Sierra Leone, some of their descendants, called Fernandinos, can still be found in Malabo and the surrounding area, where they constitute a distinct ethnic group, speaking their own Afro-Portuguese pidgin dialect. When the island reverted to complete Spanish control, Malabo was renamed Santa Isabel.
Malabo is quite walkable. Taxis are cheap. 500 FCFA during the day should get you anywhere within the city. 3,000 FCFA should get you from the city to the Marathon Oil compound. Be prepared to pay more at night or when the police are out enforcing traffic laws.
Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program, Moka, Bioko Island. Visitors, including tourists and school children, are welcome to stop in for educational programs. A striking series of 4 backlit posters, designed by BBPP’s Outreach Coordinator Jessica Weinberg and funded by a grant from the International Primate Protection League illustrate the importance of controlling the bushmeat trade. Post cards featuring Bioko Island wildlife, also the work of Jessica Weinberg, are for sale.Research Centre staff can arrange for guides to the local attractions (the Cascades of the Ilyadi River and the Pico Biao Crater Lake).
1 L'Attelier, ☏ +240 222 000 030. Local ingredients and tasteful dishes like prawns and creme brulee. 2 Aviator Pub & Café, Avenida de la Libertad 322, ☏ +240 222 185 534. Eat and take-away. (updated Jan 2023)
Pizzeria Italiana. Complejo el Caribe. Olympus Skybar. Garden Lounge. Cafe Maria. Kristal Lounge Malabo. Bar Baney. -->
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Sep, Malabo typically sees ~26°C daytime highs and 23 rainy days.
Cheapest destinations travellers searched recently — refreshed daily.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-09-29. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.
stayonomy