Conakry

Conakry, the capital of Guinea, is a sprawling, vibrant and chaotic city stretched along the narrow Kaloum peninsula that juts far into the Atlantic. A bustling West African metropolis of lively markets, crowded streets and pulsing music, for Guinea has a rich and influential musical heritage, it holds the grand Grand Mosque, one of the largest in the region, the national museum, and a faded but pleasant botanical garden. Just offshore lie the Îles de Los, a cluster of green islands with beaches and a relaxed atmosphere, an easy escape from the city. Hectic and rough around the edges, Conakry is nonetheless a lively and characterful gateway to the country.

History

Conakry first grew on small Tombo Island and later spread onto the Kaloum Peninsula, a strip of land 36 kilometres long. In 1885 the two island villages of Conakry and Boubinet had fewer than 500 inhabitants; the city was essentially founded after Britain ceded the island to France in 1887, became the capital of French Guinea in 1904, and grew from 50,000 people in 1958 to 600,000 in 1980 (Wikipedia, Conakry).

What to look for

• The Grand Mosque - the grand Faisal Mosque, one of the region's largest.
• The markets - the bustling Madina and city markets.
• The Îles de Los - the green islands and beaches offshore.
• The music and culture - the national museum and rich music scene.

When to go

November to April, the dry season, for the most comfortable weather, as the wet season brings heavy rain and Conakry is one of the rainiest capitals; the city is hot and humid year-round. The Îles de Los offshore make a pleasant escape, and the markets and music are best experienced in the cooler hours and evenings.

Practical notes

As a lively, characterful capital and the springboard to the islands and the Fouta Djallon, Conakry is a genuine, if hectic, introduction to the country.

Nearby

The Îles de Los, the beaches and the Fouta Djallon highlands are within reach.

Key facts