tourist attractions in libreville gabon

The Scribs and Nibs

Top things to do in Libreville (including day trips)

Libreville is the capital city of Gabon and is home to a third of the country’s population. Whether you’ve got a day here while traveling around Gabon, or are here for a work trip, check out the top things to do in Libreville to experience the best this city has to offer. It is not a touristy place but we found it quite pleasant and there are enough things to do to keep you occupied for a few days , although you could do most of the things below in one day (with a private driver+packed schedule).

If you do a quick search on google, you’ll notice that most hotels, bars, and restaurants in Libreville (and Gabon in general) are just rated 3 stars. I was a little skeptical about what we would do, but having visited and experienced everything from mask shopping to chocolate tasting, I am now convinced Libreville is worth a stopover. Judge for yourself once you explore what the city has to offer.

Many places in Libreville take credit cards but it’s good to also carry some cash. Additionally, Visa cards are more commonly accepted in comparison to Mastercards (and only a few take American Express).

This post contains affiliate links.

Getting around Libreville

We walked around the city during the day fitting in most of the activities over 2 days. Occasionally, we took taxis to go further distances. The city in general feels safe and is quite calm, but we were recommended to take taxis at night.

While in Libreville, it is easy to flag down a taxi. Most taxis are shared but you can say “ une cours ,” and you can pay them enough to take you directly to your destination. We typically paid around 3,000 CFA per stop between different destinations in town.

Taxies don’t really slow down and have a conversation with you. They roll by slowly and you are expected to yell out your destination and the price. On our first couple of rides, I would ask the driver how much and he would turn around and tell me it was up to me to decide. I’d say budget around 3,000 for a 10-minute ride and add or subtract based on that.

Top things to do in Libreville

I highly recommend you buy the Bradt guidebook to help you get by in Gabon. It was so helpful for us as there actually isn’t a lot of information on traveling in Gabon on the internet. Make sure you buy the latest edition (which was #2 in 2023). We used it to help plan all our activities as google maps couldn’t be trusted.

Gabon National Museum of Arts

The National Museum of Arts, Rites, and Traditions of Gabon is the top thing to do in Libreville. It’s definitely worth visiting if you are interested in learning about the culture and history of Gabon. The museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the traditional arts, crafts, and customs of the Gabonese people.

• 3,000 CFA per person, cash
• English guide available (or maybe we were just lucky)
• The Google Map location for the museum is correct

The exhibits include a range of traditional objects, such as masks, sculptures, and pottery,  as well as information about the country’s various ethnic groups, their history, and their cultural practices. The displays are well-curated and informative, and the museum staff are knowledgeable and friendly.

After paying, we unexpectedly had an English tour guide (Denis) show us around the museum. He provided excellent detail and was essential to how much we enjoyed the museum. Although it seemed like this guide service was included, because he joined us immediately after we paid our entry fee, we tipped 5,000 CFA.

The Iroungou Cave Exhibit

Our tour started off with the newly opened cave exhibit (in January 2023). This immersive exhibition takes you to the heart of the archaeological excavations of the Iroungou cave, discovered in 2019. The cave revealed human remains that date back to the 14th century as well as shells, spears, and other artifacts.

Findings from inside the cave are exhibited on the first floor of the museum.

Our visit coincided with the Virtual Reality experience (temporary exhibit) which takes you into the Iroungou cave as if you were an archeologist! Although the program was only available in French, it was such an interesting experience. In the VR world, we had to go down into the cave and find artifacts to take back up.

There is a souvenir shop attached to the museum.

Arts Market

You can walk between the National Museum of Arts and two of the artisan markets. The markets are very calm and low-stress compared to other comparable African markets and sellers will not fight over your attention to sell you their goods. On the other hand, I found that sellers were not really willing to negotiate their prices much at all (despite our best efforts). There were some discounts if you bought more than one item but for the most part, prepare to pay what the sellers tell you.

Bring enough cash for your shopping. 

Village des Artisans

The larger of the two artist markets, at The Village des Artisans you’ll likely be the only tourists. There are masks, fabric, wooden sculptures, and more not only from Gabon but from neighboring countries as well.

The most unique thing to buy here is a mask . We chose a mask that was on the old CFA bank note. We paid around USD 30 for the mask even after heavy bargaining. The seller wouldn’t lower his price. We went back 3 different times (I kid you not) to prove our point and he proved his own point by standing his ground. No negotiating here. I was sure I was going to find a better price or a piece I liked more, and I didn’t. All that to say, bargaining is tough here.

If you’re looking to splurge, there are some incredible gold and silver pieces at the market. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough cash for this but some of the silver pieces were in the USD 60 range and the shopkeepers were willing to negotiate somewhat.  The mask gold sets were just shockingly stunning!

The Village artisanal face gabon meca

The Village artisanal face gabon meca (as it says on google maps) does indeed exist though it has such few reviews I was sure it wasn’t real. This market is smaller than the others. Most souvenirs were more expensive than in the larger market. However, we did get a couple of tiny masks to give out as gifts from a seller.

St. Michael’s Catholic Church

Visit St. Michael’s Catholic Church, an important landmark and one of the most recognizable buildings in Libreville. You can take a look inside.

Evening stroll at La Baie Des Rois

La Baie Des Rois is a newly opened (and still being constructed) seaside development. When we visited some stalls, bars, and restaurants along the promenade had opened, and others seemed to be preparing to open in the near future. The perfect time to visit is in the evening when the weather is cooler and you get great sunsets over the bay. There are two entrances . One is here ; you’ll just have to trust me because the development is so new so there isn’t an official google point yet. It’s basically across from Namaste Restaurant . The other entrance is around here . There is no way to enter between those two points.

There is a large road with a barrier in between so be careful if you’re going to jump across.

Lala Créatif

Stop in at Lala Créatif for home goods and clothes made on-site, as well as shoes and other knickknacks.

Les Chocolats Gabonais de Julie

You’ll find Gabon’s most famous chocolate at Les Chocolats Gabonais de Julie . It’s so so good. We bought two boxes of flavored chocolate and several slabs as well. Julie sells her chocolates at her  shop in Libreville  or you can buy the chocolates at the airport once you pass immigration. We opted to buy some at the shop in town but saved the fancy chocolate purchase for the airport so that we didn’t accidentally melt it during the day.

Church of St. Michael Nkembo

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit the Church of St. Michael Nkembo. However, there are unique wooden pillar structures inside the church that should make for an interesting visit.

Stele of Liberty

The Stele of Liberty is an iconic statue in Libreville. It’s hard to get close up since it’s right opposite the heavily guarded presidential building/.palace. You can walk by, but you will be stopped if you try to take pictures… Unless you’re sneaky and take one from the back of the cab as I did. The status is a slave half-man half-woman, freeing themselves from their chains.

Les Ateliers Olima

Les Ateliers Olima is a shop dedicated to the Mbigou soapstone, unique to Gabon . No pictures are allowed inside, but you’re promised a range of sculpted rock items from small animal statues to jewelry and candlesticks, as you can see on their website . We bought a little elephant as our souvenir. To find the shop , you need to enter a small building complex with several little houses. Keep walking to the back and there you’ll find the shop. It’s unlikely that a taxi will know where this is so just pay attention to the google map point.

Where to eat in Libreville

Restaurant mystic bantu.

If you just have time for one place to eat or grab or drink in Libreville, make sure it’s  Restaurant Mystic Bantu  in Libreville. This bar is filled with art, masks, and even an iboga powder cocktail! Read more about Iboga and the Bwiti ceremony .

Just a small amount of the iboga power has an effect similar to caffeine… Wilhelm was up much later than normal because of this, haha. There is even a little bridge over the water. Bring a lot of bug spray as the nearby stream attracts a lot of mosquitos. The iboga drink was a whopping 10,000 CFA and a normal drink was 7,000 CFA.

La Voile Rouge

We had a great lunch at La Voile Rouge . Additionally, some staff spoke English and there was an English menu. We spent 31,000 CFA on water, 2 beers, and 2 main fish dishes.

Restaurant Le Chef O’miel

We would have needed an extra night to be able to dine at Restaurant Le Chef O’miel . Featuring Gabonese cuisine with a modern twist, you’ll be surely taken on a taste tour of the country.

Namaste Restaurant

Serving authentic Indian meals, Namaste Restaurant (and hotel) is a great option if you’re feeling tired of all the fish meals. Walk across to La Baie Des Rois after dinner. The meals take between 30-40 minutes to prepare so just be prepared for a little wait.

L’Odika

Lunch at L’Odika seems to be a Libreville staple. It is highly popular among tourists and locals alike. Note that it’s closed on Tuesdays. We tried some local dishes while we were here. We spent 23,500 CFA on water, beer, and 2 mains.

Café Pélisson

Café Pélisson is a classic breakfast option in Libreville. It’s an old school building frequented by the nearby suit-and-tie office workers. We got the omelets, which were just okay, though the vibe is nice. A classic croissant and coffee is probably the best option here. We spent 11,000 CFA for two coffees and the omelets.

Day trips from Libreville

River lodge resort.

For 40000 CFA per person (transport + lunch included), you can spend the day at the beautiful River Lodge Resort . If you feel like splurging, you can also spend the night at one of the cute cabins that line the river. Read all about the resort in my day trip review .

Contact the friendly staff on WhatsApp (+24102621524) to make a booking. The lunch is amazing and totally worth the cost.

Akanda National Park

The best way to visit Akanda National Park is by pirogue. This park, close to Libreville, is known for its mangroves, beaches, forests, and savanna areas.

Where to stay in Libreville

Honestly, there are no great options where the price matches the quality compared. Hotels in Libreville are simply overpriced in my opinion. It was really hard deciding where to stay and even the Bradt Guidebook said we’d overpay no matter what. In the end, we stayed at Hotel Leet Dorian . It was a good choice for us.

The AC worked great, the staff was very helpful, the wifi fast, and our room was nice. For 70,000 CFA (around USD 110) a night, this was a little steep. The location is good for exploring Libreville on foot and there are also plenty of taxis around. A well-known hospital next door makes it easy for taxis to drop you off even if you don’t know French.

We paid via cash (the only option) upon arrival.

If you want modern amenities (and the option to pay by card) then the best options are the Radisson Blue Okoume Palace Hotel , for around USD 200 per night, or the Park Inn By Radisson.

Similar Posts

The Best Johannesburg Itinerary

The best Johannesburg itinerary (from a sort of local), including day trips, safaris, food, and tour recommendations.

The Best Cafes in Joburg

Check out the best cafes in Joburg for remote working, hanging with friends, or exploring a new part of town.

5-Day eSwatini Itinerary

Planning a trip to eSwatini? Visit the western highlights on this 5-day eSwatini itinerary with waterfall hikes and a biking safari.

Vaal River Self-Catering Accommodation: Breathe Lodge

Spend a weekend at Breathe Lodge, the perfect Vaal River self-catering accommodation just 1 hour from Joburg.

Karibu Cafe: a Linden Essential

Karibu Cafe is a cozy spot for all-day dining with the absolute best cheese toastie and shakshuka in Joburg.

Sable Ranch Hiking Day Trip

Nestled in the Magaliesberg Mountains, Sable Ranch has 4 hiking trails that are perfect for a day trip from Joburg! Check out the guide to plan your adventure.

• Libreville Info
• Visa Requirements
• Travel Tips
• Attractions
• Exhibitions
• Restaurants
• Shopping Centres
• City Guides

Libreville City Info

Sign up to our newsletter, things to do, libreville, gabon » entertainment » attractions.

Libreville's greatest attraction is the seafront, where locals and visitors relax by the Atlantic Ocean. You will find very tall (around 20ft) Gabonese sculptures looking over the beach. Libreville offers several things to do and see, like Pointe Denis, Nzeng-ayong and historic churches.

Pointe Denis

Pointe Denis is a popular seaside resort just 20 minutes boat ride away from Libreville. The picture-perfect, sandy beach offers lots of outdoor activities for beach lovers. Point Denis is also a breeding ground for the leatherback turtle.

Notre Dame de Lourdes (Our Lady of Lourdes Church)

Notre Dame de Lourdes is a place of worship for Catholics.The front facade has a hand-painted blue and white tapestry. The interior of the church is simple and clean.

Arboretum de Sibang

Arboretum de Sibang is a preserved rainforest park located 5km from Libreville. It features guided tours of the forest, and it is home to thousands of local species of trees.

Church of St. Michael Nkembo (L'Eglise St-Michel)

An important landmark of Libreville, St. Michel Church is a phenomenal masterpiece. It is known for its 31 tall, wooden carved columns by Gabonese artist Zéphyrin Lendogno. Tourists are encouraged to visit the church at least once.

Cathédrale Sainte Marie

Built in 1958 by Bishop Adama, the cathedral is located near the coastline on the site of the former Fort d'Aumale. The Notre Dame Church is located behind the Cathedrale Sainte Marie.

Ministry of Forestry and Environment

This colourful structure houses the Ministry of Forestry and Environment. The building has become a popular tourist attraction with a unique interpretation of nature and Gabonese culture. Visitors often make a stop for photo opportunities with this landmark.

Ministry of Mines and Petroleum

The remarkable building of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has a unique shape and colour. It is one of the most photographed buildings in the city.

Boulevard Triomphal

One should never miss strolling along Boulevard Triomphal. Major landmarks and government buildings are lined up the avenue. Hotels, restaurants, and hypermarkets are also part of the strip. The French Cultural Centre, Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, Ministry of Forestry and Environment, Economic Ministry, Ministry of Forestry, Senate, Central Bank, and more make this boulevard a display for Gabon's engineered city.

Seaside Boulevard

The city's seaside boulevard has a wide grass path along the coast. Seats, trees, mini-parks, and unique sculptures can be found along the bay. Locals and tourists head to the boulevard to relax, ride their bicycles, or enjoy the day.

Presidential Palace (Palais Presidentiel)

The majestic palace was built by President Bongo in the 1970s. It is a proud architectural marvel situated in the heart of Libreville. Visitors are not permitted inside the palace.