Malabo is a small city with limited tourist infrastructure, but it has real character for those who seek it out. The colonial-era architecture along the waterfront reflects Spanish rule, and St. Elizabeth's Cathedral is the most impressive building in the city centre. The Malabo Market is the best place to observe everyday life. For context on the country's troubled recent history, the notorious Black Beach Prison looms on the edge of the city — not a tourist attraction, but an unavoidable presence.
Day trips to the slopes of Pico Basile, the highest peak in Equatorial Guinea, are possible for those with transport and a local guide. The road south toward Riaba passes through banana plantations and the green Moka Valley with its crater lake — the most scenic drive on the island.