Malabo

Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, set on the island of Bioko beneath its volcanic peaks and beside a natural harbour, is a fascinating and unusual city, blending faded Spanish colonial charm with oil-fuelled modern development. Equatorial Guinea is the only country in Africa with Spanish as an official language, a legacy of its colonial past, and this heritage lingers in Malabo's atmosphere: in the pastel colonial buildings and arcaded streets of the old town, the landmark neo-Gothic Saint Elizabeth's Cathedral overlooking the port, and the Spanish spoken in its streets. Alongside these, gleaming towers and new districts reflect the country's oil wealth, making Malabo a striking city of contrasts.

What you actually see

• Saint Elizabeth's Cathedral - the landmark neo-Gothic cathedral by the port.
• The colonial old town - the faded Spanish pastel buildings.
• The harbour - the natural port beneath the volcanic peaks.
• The oil-boom districts - the gleaming modern towers.

When to go

November to February, the drier season, for the most comfortable weather, as Bioko is one of the wettest places in Africa; the colonial old town, cathedral and harbour are best explored in the cooler, drier hours. Malabo is the main arrival point and base for exploring Bioko Island.

Honest expectations

Equatorial Guinea is heavily regulated and one of Africa's most difficult and restrictive countries to visit, with difficult visas, security controls, restrictions on photography and an authoritarian government despite oil wealth, so travel is challenging and requires care and up-to-date advice. As an atmospheric and unusual capital, though, blending faded Spanish colonial charm, a landmark cathedral and oil-boom modernity, and offering the unique character of the only Spanish-speaking nation in Africa, Malabo is a fascinating window into a little-known country.

Nearby

Bioko Island's rainforest, Pico Basile and the turtle beaches are within reach.