Holiday in Douala

What makes Douala special as a destination?

Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and the economic heart of Central Africa. The port city on the Wouri River, just 24 kilometers from the Atlantic coast, is a bustling melting pot of over 200 ethnic groups, French and British colonial history, and one of the most vibrant art scenes on the continent. The Marche Central (Central Market) is the pulsating heart of Douala: On a vast area, tropical fruits, spices, bushmeat, colorful fabrics (Pagnes), and handicrafts are traded. The noise and the variety of colors are overwhelming — here you experience the unfiltered life of a West African metropolis. The adjacent Marche des Fleurs offers an impressive selection of tropical cut flowers. La Nouvelle Liberte, a 12-meter tall colorful sculpture at Rond-Point Deido, is Douala's most famous artwork and a symbol of the city. Created by Cameroonian artist Joseph-Francis Sumegne from recycled materials, the figure represents freedom and creativity. The Doual'art cultural center organizes the SUD Triennale, one of the most important festivals for contemporary art in Africa. The German colonial history has left significant traces in Douala: The former governor's building (Pagode), the Wörmann House, and the old shipyard testify to the time when it was a Cameroonian city (1884-1916). The Bonanjo district, with its decaying but atmospheric colonial buildings, tells the story of European presence in Central Africa. Mount Cameroon (4,040 m), the highest peak in West Africa, is only 60 km northwest and can be reached from Douala as a day trip or multi-day trek. The active volcano offers hikes through various vegetation zones — from tropical rainforest to alpine zone — and one of the physically demanding climbs in Africa.