Sights and landmarks in Freetown

Sights and landmarks in Freetown

1. See

   Bureh Beach

   Stunning beach and river. Not many restaurants so bring your own for a great picnic.

2. See

   Cape Sierra Leone Lighthouse

   The lighthouse was built in 1812 by the British. It is in good condition (it was refurbished in 2010). There are some stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. If you are lucky and can find someone, the local staff will show you around.

3. See

   Fourah Town Mosque

   Jamiatul Atiq Mosque

   Finished in 1830, this is a large Sunni mosque in the Fourah Bay neighbourhood.

4. See

   Goderich Beach

   Goderich is not known for its beach, most people drive past on the way to other beaches. Anywhere else, this would be a top attraction.

5. See

   John Obey Beach

   Stunning beaches and two small restaurants (if you can find them). Home of the settled Tribewanted initiative.

6. See

   Kent Beach

   Besides the beach, Kent has some interesting historical sites. First off there is the 'slavery administration office', where slaves were kept and registered before sending them away. You'll find remains of the walls and buildings of this colonial settlement. Secondly you can visit an old residence of Siaka Stevens.

7. See

   Lakka Beach

   Takes about 10 minutes driving from Lumley. Here are many places to eat and sleep. The Hard Rock Café (no connection to the international brand) on the rocky peninsular has great views on the beach and offers, just like Paul's and Club Med, superb fresh seafood. These places also have excellent accommodation. Palm Beach (formally the Cotton Club) is in a very bad shape but will soon be renovated.

8. See

   Lumley Beach

   The main public beach and rubbish dump close to Freetown itself facing the Atlantic with shops, restaurants, hotels, golf course, as well local clubs. The beach is popular for football, running and is normally crowded on holidays and the weekend. A paved pathway now runs the length of the beach, popular for walking and jogging, especially when the tide is in. Avoid the Aberdeen end which is covered with rubbish. It is better near the golf club.

9. See

   National Rail Museum

   The Sierra Leone National Railway Museum is one of only two government-funded railway museums in the world, the other being in the UK. The museum has several steam and diesel locomotives and carriages, including one which was planned to be used by HM Queen Elizabeth II during her state visit. All have been restored. A guide will usually show visitors around.

   Mon-Sat 10:30AM-5PM·By donation

10. See

    No. 2 River Beach

    Driving further, for another 20 minutes will get you to No. 2 River Beach. The villagers have set up a community project to look after this stunning beach and river outflow. There are some small craft shops and a bar serving cold drinks and fresh fish/lobster. If you are old enough to remember the 1970s Taste of Paradise commercial for the Bounty chocolate bar, this is where it was filmed.

11. See

    Portuguese steps

    Old Wharf steps

    These steps connect the lower Commissariat at the landing area to the French Company building on Wallance Johnson street. Despite their name, it was the British colonial governor Sir Charles MacCarthy who had them constructed in 1818; the Portuguese colonised this area but not longer when the steps were built.

12. See

    Remains of Cotton tree

    An ancient tree known to have been standing in the middle of the city since at least 1787. Freetown was established at this tree on 11 March 1792 by slaves freed by the British and returned to Africa as thanks for fighting in the American War of Independence. As such it was a symbol of the city, and home to countless bats that fly around in daytime. It collapsed on May 24, 2023.

13. See

    Sacred Heart Cathedral

    The headquarters of the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Freetown, and one of four Catholic catedrals in Sierra Leone. It was dedicated in 1887.

14. See

    Sierra Leone National Museum

    See artefacts from the past including masks, relics from the war, local costumes - guided tours. Sierra Leone National museum has a replica of the De Ruyter Stone. The original is buried at King Jimmy Market (it was discovered but reburied to protect it against vandalism and weathering). In 1664, in the Anglo-Dutch war vice admiral Ruyten made inscriptions in on the stone as he was raiding British posts along the coast.

15. See

    Sierra Leone Peace Museum

    Dedicated to telling the story of Sierra Leone's decade-long conflict and reconciliation. Features interactive displays that illustrate the chronology of the conflict and the ensuing peace process, with galleries, photos, and a memorial garden. The Human Rights Commission is one of the stakeholders in the organization.

16. See

    St. George's Cathedral

    Finished in 1828 as one of the most impressive churches in the city, today it is the cathedral church of the Anglican Diocese of Freetown.

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    St. Johns Maroon Church

    Finished in the 1820s, this is one of the oldest churches in Freetown still in use. It was built by Maroons, former slaves from Jamaica returning to Africa.

18. See

    Sussex Beach

    The popular Franco's restaurant is here. Nice setting, good food but really slow service.

19. See

    Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

    Outside Freetown and will require a 4 wheel drive vehicle. Follow the Regent road through Hill Station and Leicester. Watch for the entrance on the right. Open twice daily at 10:30AM & 4PM 7 days a week by appointment. Le 30,000, Le 15,000 for children.

20. See

    York Beach

    Grey sand beach, but interesting little fishing village with some old Portuguese relicts.

21. See Not mapped

    Three historical cannons

    At the city limits, installed there to demark the limits, though they couldn't to serve the original purpose very well nowadays as they are hard to find. The first is at the junction of the Kissy, Ross and Blackhall Roads. Known as the "Kissy Gun", it's the oldest and the one best visible. The second is on Leicester Road or Mountain Road, and as the current road doesn't go in the same place, it's reportedly not visible. The third one is where the Pandema and Merewether (present Jomo Kenyatta) Roads meet. This too takes effort to find.

22. See

    Banana Island Beaches

    Two of the most secluded beaches in the country.

23. See

    Black Johnson Beach

24. See

    Charlotte falls

    Charlotte village southwest of Freetown.

25. See

    Hamilton Beach

    This beach has become a mining site.

26. See

    Mamah Beach

27. See

    Supreme Court building

    Next to the Cotton Tree.

28. See

    Tokeh Beach

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Freetown (CC BY-SA 4.0).