Polana Serena Hotel Maputo's Leading hotel. 15 minutes drive from Mozambique International Airport and the city centre. Undergoing major refurbishment

Maputo City

The city of Maputo, which was formerly known as Lourenço Marques, is the capital of and largest city in Mozambique. A prominent Indian Ocean port, its economy centers on its extensive port and harbour facilities. Surrounded by Maputo Province, the city lies on the western side of Maputo Bay (95km long and 30km wide), which lies at the mouth of the Tembe River.

The city was named after the Portugese navigator, Lourenço Marques who founded a settlement here in1544. In 1787 a Portugese fort was established, which was later destroyed, and the existing city dates from around 1850. In 1895, the construction of a railway to Pretoria, South Africa caused substantial growth within the city and by the 1900s it had established itself as a flourishing port. The city was renamed, in honour of Maputa, a legendary chief who once ruled the region, when Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975. 

A cultural melting pot, Maputo reflects a strong Bantu and Portugese cultural heritage, which incorporates strong South African, Arabian, Indian and Chinese influences.

Maputo features a tropical savannah climate. Relatively dry, the city has a short rainy season, which lasts from November to march. The city also features noticeably warmer and cooler seasons, with its warmest month (January) on average about 8°C warmer than its coolest month (July).