Flights to Freetown

Crossing from Lungi

Water taxis and ferry services link Lungi with jetties at Aberdeen in the west of Freetown, a crossing of around 30 to 40 minutes that can be choppy in the rainy season. Book your crossing through your hotel or the operator in advance, especially for late arrivals. The road around the estuary takes three hours or more. Sierra Leone requires a visa, which can be arranged online, and a yellow fever certificate.

The city and its history

Freetown grew from settlements founded in 1787 and 1792 by formerly enslaved people from Britain and Nova Scotia, later joined by Africans freed from slave ships. The King's Yard Gate marks where many of them entered the city, and the National Railway Museum displays locomotives from the old narrow-gauge line. Street markets spill along the roads around the centre, and the hillside districts look across the harbour.

Beaches and wildlife

Lumley Beach, on the western edge of town, has bars and restaurants along a long stretch of sand. Further down the peninsula, River No. 2, Tokeh and Bureh beaches are quieter, and the Banana Islands are reached by boat from Kent. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, in forested hills above the city, cares for rescued chimpanzees and runs guided visits.

Bunce Island and practical tips

Boat trips upriver visit Bunce Island, where the ruins of an 18th-century slave fort tell the story of the transatlantic trade. Try groundnut stew, cassava leaf and grilled fish. The leone is the currency, and English and Krio are widely spoken. The dry season runs from November to April. Freetown keeps GMT all year, so it matches UK time in winter. Check current UK government travel advice and your insurance before you go.

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