São Tomé City Guide, a hub of things to do
São Tomé City Guide: Top Sights and Hidden Gems
The guide to São Tomé City, a hub of things to do
São Tomé City isn’t big, but it’s full of contrasts, but this São Tomé city guide should help you find your feet. If you get into trouble or need help in town, get in touch, we live within a few minutes of the city, and can often come and help you out. Colonial buildings sit alongside busy streets, a working port borders calm bayfront walks. This São Tomé City Guide shares what’s worth your time: the main sights, where to stay, and what to do in São Tomé on a short visit. All drawn from local experience, so you can skip the guesswork.
The capital sits on the northeast coast where most visitors arrive via the international airport 5km south. Unlike other African capitals, São Tomé City remains compact and walkable, making this São Tomé City Guide relevant whether you’re staying two days or using it as a base for island exploration. The population hovers around 70,000, creating an intimate city atmosphere where you’ll recognize faces after a few days, but a resident São Tomé city guide makes it so much easer.
Where to Stay
São Tomé City offers accommodation options across different budgets, from guesthouses to hotels. This São Tomé City Guide covers the basics of where visitors typically stay.
Budget guesthouses exist throughout the city, though they’re limited in number and many don’t advertise online. Mid-range hotels provide more amenities and are scattered across different neighbourhoods. For those seeking luxury accommodation following this guide to São Tomé City, resort-style options are available.
Book accommodation in advance during peak season (July-August) when available rooms fill quickly. Many smaller properties require direct contact rather than online booking. Prices vary significantly based on location, facilities, and season.
São Tomé Nightlife
Nightlife in São Tomé City centres around Zima and Kizomba, the main spots where locals and visitors gather for drinks and dancing. The scene is intimate and community-focused rather than tourist-oriented, Carlos our São Tomé city guide can often tel you where to go, or even take you out for an evening.
Smaller towns across the island host their own parties and gatherings. Every Sunday night, a party takes place, Iit’s recently moved from the ‘secret’ location , enter Micolo and turn right – keep going until you hear music (we all knew). Now it’s at the roulotte near the stadium in the centre of town. Wear orange to fit in with the locals.
Most establishments close relatively early compared to larger African capitals, with the main action concentrated on weekends,
São Tomé restaurants
One of the best things about writing a São Tomé guide is the research into food. São Tomé City’s restaurant scene splits between tourist-oriented venues and local spots. Tourist restaurants charge higher prices, while local establishments offer cheap meals. Zima serves food alongside drinks.
Although Figo is considered to be the ‘best’ in town, those of us who live here don’t see why. It’s overpriced, a tourist trap, and Google reviews show it’s dropping. In our opinion, Sabor Divino offers better value. Having eaten at both, Sabor Divino generally has English-speaking staff around, with a good menu featuring fresh food cooked locally. Try the sea snails and local pork.
Although Rooftop is a welcome addition to the scene, the menu is frequently limited. Food quality is acceptable, but service is levi levi to the extreme.
The best burger in town is Xico, but it’s hit and miss if it’s open. Roulottes serve burgers around the city. The best soup, and only 30 dobras, is by the stadium, where you’ll often find a caipirinha stall next to it.Street food stalls offer the cheapest options, with local women grilling fish and serving it with funge (cassava porridge). Most restaurants don’t accept cards, so carry cash.
Getting Around São Tomé City
Getting around São Tomé City is straightforward once you understand the options. Taxis go from the centre, but always fix a price before you go to avoid disputes. If you’re staying at Omali or one of the other good hotels, negotiate firmly – we commonly see tourists charged €15 for a trip that should cost 50 dobras.
Motos will charge 20-30 dobras around town, though only the driver has a helmet and passengers don’t. Fix the price before getting on. Little motorbike tuktuks are new to the scene at about 50-70 dobras around town, offering another budget transport option for short distances. We try to ensure this São Tomé city guide is always up to date, and these are accurage as of November 25.
Hiaces run between major towns throughout the day. They go when they’re full and have no set route, but they’re still fun to take with fares under €1. The city centre in this São Tomé City Guide spans roughly 2km north to south, making most locations accessible on foot within 20-30 minutes. For exploring beyond the capital, our car rental requires an international licence and costs €40-60 daily.
São Tomé shopping
Markets in São Tomé City are a window into everyday island life. Expect small stalls selling whatever is available, from imported phone covers to second-hand goods. Kids weave between boxes while women balance loads on their heads, creating a lively, chaotic scene. Our São Tomé city guide helps you make sense of it all.
Shopping in São Tomé City is limited with no real option for Western consumer goods. Those you find are imported from Portugal and expensive. This guide to São Tomé City shopping warns that if you want something specific, get in touch and we’ll tell you if you can find it here. Anyone using this São Tomé City Guide should bring essential items from home rather than hoping to source them on the island.
Celebrations & Culture in São Tomé City
Throughout the year, São Tomé City comes alive with cultural celebrations. From the Festa de São Tomé held annually on July 1st, to Carnival before Lent and summer marches like São João on June 23 and Santo António on June 13, these events bring music, dance, and community to the streets.
Community parties often spring up around the island, and generally there’s one every weekend somewhere or other.
Carlos, our resident São Tomé City Guide can help you find what’s happening – contact us and we’ll tell you what’s on during your visit.
Money & Mobiles in São Tomé City
A São Tomé city guide would not be of any use without telling you about cash and mobiles
Changing money at the banks is slow and rates aren’t good, so use the guys on the street instead, prices at the street dealers are 25 – 26 to theEuro, 28-29 for the poiund. if you need help get in touch.
Getting a local SIM card requires a passport and can be a hassle, though we can help. You can get one at CST in the city. E-sims are not available. Once you have one, topping up is simple, with vendors all over the city, though check your SMS has the price you paid, as it’s not uncommon to buy 100 and get 10. Coverage works fine in the capital, even if data speeds can drag. Cash is still king, so carry enough for taxis, markets, and eating out.
Best Beaches and Swimming in São Tomé City
The easiest place to swim in the capital is PM Beach, a calm, sandy stretch beside the old fort that’s safe for a dip during the day. call Carlos our São Tomé city guide if you want to walk there or hit the museum. Facilities are minimal, so bring essentials, however if you need a snack or a beer, there is a roullote opposite the beach selling reasonable food and cold drinks, but you’ll get the atmosphere — kids somersaulting off the walls and families cooling down together.
A short drive away, the beach near Omali Lodge offers a longer, quieter shoreline where you can spread out and escape the crowds. It’s popular on weekends with local familes, much to Omali’s annoyance.
Things to Do in São Tomé City
If you want to get by yourself, without a São Tomé city guide to help, take a stroll it’s fun. Start at Independence Square, where the Presidential Palace looks out over the centre. The old fort beside the water holds the museum, worth a quick walk-through for a feel of the island’s past. The cathedral sits just behind the square, plain on the outside but busy on Sundays when services spill into the street. Everything is close, and you don’t need a plan — just wander a bit and you’ll cover the main sights in a few hours.
Why This Map Matters
Booking using this doesn’t cost you a dobra more, but every booking through this map sends a tiny commission our way. It’s only a few euros each time, yet it keeps the site online and lets us keep sharing straight-up, local information about São Tomé. It means Bilbo the Chocolate Island dog and destroyer of laundry gets a bone, and maybe Jack and Carlos get a beer.
