Top 10 Things to Do in Equatorial Guinea

Ben Crowley

Nov. 6, 2025

Equatorial Guinea is not your normal tropical holiday. If you were meaning to board a Jet2 flight to the Azores, you’ve made a huge mistake! However, for those who get a thrill out of the unusual, the untouched and the unforgettable, Equatorial Guinea is for you.

Here are our top 10 unmissable sites for those who like to explore the more unique and spectacular corners of the world.

1.Ciudad de la Paz (Oyala)

Initiated around 2011, Ciudad de la Paz is the government’s bold attempt to build a new inland capital. Vast, sparkling government complexes and multi-lane highways stretch across near-empty streets, creating a surreal “ghost city.” It stands as a stark symbol of political ambition entangled with economic reality and stalled progress. Cuidad de la Paz, or Oyala as the locals call it, can only be described as eerie and dystopian, with monumental structures waiting to be inhabited.

2. Mongomo

Mongomo is the birthplace of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and key members of his family, making it the most politically significant part of Equatorial Guinea. Here, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Church in Central Africa, dominates the skyline with its vast size and intricate design. Statues of former Presidents and  the current Presidents line the town’s main square, echoing the government’s emphasis on personal legacy. Mongomo is home to a massive football stadium, designed to host the African Cup of Nations, a professional golf course, and 5 star resorts. The juxtaposition of the small African village feel, along side 5 Star Hotels, grandiose constructions and grand boulevards is a sight to see.

3. Corisco Island

Corisco Island offers tranquil coastline and fishing villages maintaining centuries-old customs. The island’s colonial-era churches sit abandoned among swaying palms, embodying a quiet, partly forgotten place disconnected from mainland bustle. The community of the Venga tribe preserves traditional livelihoods, and visitors can enjoy snorkelling in pristine waters.

4. African Union Village, Sipopo

Constructed in 2011 near Malabo on Bioko Island, Sipopo hosts the African Union Village, featuring a 5-star hotel and 52 luxury villas, one for each African head of state attending the 2011 African Union Summit. To accommodate this, the government built multi-lane highways, almost deserted outside event time. Today, Sipopo feels like a grand but hollow showpiece of political prestige, rarely hosting more than a handful of visitors. The opulence is mesmerising.

5. Monte Alen National Park

Monte Alen remains a refuge for gorillas, elephants, and leopards within dense rainforest. Tourists can go on guided treks through the untouched nature of this pristine wilderness. Due to the small numbers that visit Equatorial Guinea, chances are you’ll have the park to yourself.

6. Annobón Island

Annobón Island, with its Portuguese Creole language and isolated culture, is striking yet also educational. Tourists will get the chance to learn about the challenges faces by one of Africa’s most remote regions. Annobon suffers from poor connectivity, limited healthcare, and a fragile economy. Travelers venturing here will witness a resilient community living far from mainland influence.

7. Ureca

Ureca, on Bioko Island, records some of the highest rainfall globally. The dense rainforest, falls, and dark volcanic beaches give it a mystical aura. It’s an important nesting ground for endangered olive ridley turtles, making early morning or night visits magical.

8. Malabo’s Colonial Heritage and Low-Key Markets

Malabo, Equatorial Guinea’s capital as well as its oldest city, boasts Spanish colonial architecture like the Gothic Revival Cathedral of Santa Isabel. Its markets and streets offer a window into everyday life afloat with local flavour but absent of tourist bustle. The city’s pace is slow and casual, great for a couple of days of exploring.

9. Cocoa Plantations

The country’s cocoa farms on Bioko offer insight into agricultural realities far removed from commercial plantations elsewhere. Smallholder farmers produce organic beans, which local artisans turn into rare, sugar-free chocolates. This experience is as much cultural as gastronomic, revealing conditions of rural life.

10. Bata

Bata, the second largest city in Equatorial Guinea, and the largest city on the Mainland of Rio Mundi, is a little bit more rough around the edges than Malabo. Many tourists skip this city, but it has its own charm with a day easily filled exploring its unique sights.

The Liberty Monument, the Revolution Monument and the Biblioteca suberraneano (underground library) are all highlights.

If you want to come and check out Equatorial Guinea with us, have a look at the dates on our website here.