Monrovia

Liberia's capital, where Providence Island — starting point of the nation founded by freed American slaves — and the abandoned Ducor Hotel tell its history; to the west, Robertsport is a West African surfing hotspot.

Monrovia is the capital and largest city of Liberia, located on the Cape Mesurado peninsula on the Atlantic coast and named after US President James Monroe. In 1822, freed American slaves landed on Providence Island, laying the foundations of Africa's first modern republic, and Americo-Liberian architecture and American-style place names can still be seen around the city. The civil wars (1989–2003) left deep scars on the city, epitomised by the ruins of the Ducor Hotel.

Areas: the old town peninsula (Broad Street, the National Museum, Providence Baptist Church, the Ducor Hotel and Masonic Temple, Waterside Market, Providence Island); Capitol Hill and Sinkor (government buildings, the embassy district, beach bars and restaurants); the southeastern outskirts (Silver Beach, Marshall's Chimpanzee Island, the Firestone rubber plantation); and to the northwest, Robertsport and Lake Piso, ideal for 1–2 nights of surfing.

Seasons: the dry season from November to April is the best time to travel, while the rainy season from May to October brings extremely heavy rain and muddy roads. Getting around: Roberts International Airport is about 60 km from the city; taxis and motorbike taxis are the main transport in town, and hiring a car with driver is recommended. Tips: arrange a visa in advance and carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate; security is fair at best, so avoid walking at night; rip currents along the coast are strong, so take great care when swimming. Plan on 3–4 days.

Top sights

• Providence Island – Where freed American slaves first landed in 1822, marking the starting point of Liberia's founding. The island has a memorial and an old we…
• Ducor Hotel – An abandoned five-star hotel on Mamba Point's hilltop. It was left in ruins after the civil war, and its rooftop offers views over the whol…
• Robertsport – A seaside town at the foot of Cape Mount, home to some of West Africa's top surf breaks. Its quiet beaches make it a good weekend surf geta…
• National Museum of Liberia – A colonial-era building on Broad Street, displaying carved masks from various ethnic groups, national founding artifacts and the history of…
• Waterside Market – The largest open-air market on the Mesurado River, with stalls selling fabric, seafood and daily necessities packed into its streets.
• Broad Street – Monrovia’s main thoroughfare and the heart of the old town, lined with government buildings, shops and colonial-era architecture.
• Grand Masonic Temple – A grand neoclassical building atop Snow Mountain. Once a symbol of Americo-Liberian elite power, it remains imposing despite wartime damage.
• Providence Baptist Church – One of Liberia’s oldest churches, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1847. It is regarded as the nation’s birthplace.
• Capitol Building – The legislative seat on Capitol Hill, beside the Temple of Justice and the Executive Mansion. The exterior can be photographed.
• Silver Beach – A resort beach on the southeast outskirts of the capital, with coconut palms, beach bars and seafood. It is a favorite weekend escape for M…
• Firestone Plantation – One of the world's largest single rubber plantations, in Harbel, with rows of rubber trees and a century of industrial history.
• Lake Piso – Liberia's largest lagoon, ringed by mangroves and fishing villages, and a scenic stretch on the way to Robertsport.
• Monkey Island – A small island in the estuary near Marshall, home to former laboratory chimpanzees that can be observed up close by boat.
• Blue Lake – A lake formed in an abandoned iron-mine pit near Tubmanburg, its water a deep blue and surrounded by forest.

Where to eat

• FuZion D'Afrique – A Liberian-run open-air bar-restaurant on Tubman Boulevard in Sinkor, serving local dishes, Lebanese small plates, pizz…
• Diana Restaurant – An established Lebanese eatery on Carey Street in the city center, known for its shawarma and fried falafel balls; chea…
• The Living Room Sushi – A stylish Asian restaurant on the fourth floor of the Royal Hotel, specializing in fusion sushi and Thai-Vietnamese dis…

Itineraries

• Monrovia & Robertsport – A short itinerary exploring Monrovia's founding history, followed by surfing, boating, and exploring Lake Piso in Rober…
• West Africa Six-Country Overland – An epic overland journey heading south from Dakar through six countries to Monrovia, including the Bijagós Archipelago.