Douala is the port, the business capital and the way into Cameroon. Give it two days: one in Bonanjo (the Pagode of the Bell kings, doual'art, the Maritime Museum, the cathedral) and one for Akwa, Deïdo's public art and the fish grills at Youpwé. Then go west to Limbe and Mount Cameroon or south to Kribi.
Cameroon's largest city and its economic engine, spread along the Wouri estuary. Most visitors land here and leave fast for Yaounde or the coast. Stay two days and Douala shows what it is: the old Bell kingdom, a serious contemporary art scene and a river that still runs the place.
The palace the Germans built in 1905 for King Auguste Manga Ndumbe Bell, and the most photographed building in the city. Its stacked roofs earned the nickname Céline gave it. Rudolf Duala Manga Bell lived here until his arrest in 1914.
Central Africa's most influential contemporary art centre, founded in 1991 and showing since 1995 in the Bell palace's former cinema. Around seven exhibitions a year fill a 300 m² hall, with a garden café behind.
A ship-shaped building with 400 m² of galleries over three floors, covering coastal peoples, the slave trade and the port that made the city. It reopened in December 2015 after a fire, with a navigation simulator and a storm room.
Joseph-Francis Sumégné's 12 m figure of scrap metal, about 8 tonnes of it, begun in 1996 for doual'art. Contested at first and nicknamed the Njo Njo of Deïdo, it is now the city's emblem.
The seat of the Archdiocese of Douala, built in reinforced concrete in 1936 by French Spiritan fathers, with twin towers and stained glass imported from Europe. The cavernous wooden ceiling is the reason to step inside.
One of the largest markets in Central Africa, with traders from Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Lebanon. Spices, wax print, smoked fish and masks share the same alleys, and every price is a starting offer.
The fishing port at the city's southern edge, where the catch lands on tiled benches and women run a line of charcoal grills upstairs. Buy a fish below and have it grilled above.
The white Protestant church with a green roof, built in 1947 to mark a century since Baptist missionary Alfred Saker founded the first church on this site, on King Akwa's land.
Lucas Grandin's three-storey wooden tower from 2010, about 10 m high, with a garden and a percussion organ at its foot. Climb it for the best free view of the Wouri in the city.
Marème Malong's gallery, open since 1995 and the commercial anchor of Douala's art scene, with more than 150 shows on three continents. Expect contemporary Cameroonian painting, sculpture and photography.
Built in 1891 in Prussian classical style; the seat of German Kamerun until 1901.
Alioum Moussa's painted footbridge from 2005, its handrail a chain of linked hands.
A public holiday, and the end of Douala Fiesta's two weeks of concerts.
A national holiday, marked by school and youth parades across the country.
Runners race up and down the volcano from Buea; the 2026 edition drew 600-plus.
The country's biggest holiday, with a civil and military parade.
Concerts led by the Institut français at its Douala site.
DOMAF: four days, about ten venues and 60-plus artists in 2025.
The Sawa water festival, UNESCO-listed in 2024, ending in a river ritual on the Wouri.
Year-end street festival, running from mid-December to New Year's Day.
Cameroon's busiest airport, under 10 km from the centre. Taxis are unmetered, so agree the fare (5,000 to 15,000 FCFA) before loading bags.
Trains to Yaounde leave from Gare de Bessengué over 263 km, with the morning express taking about 4h45. First class is 10,000 FCFA.
Agencies such as Buca Voyages, General Express and Touristiques Express run to Yaounde, Limbe and Buea from their own depots. VIP seats cost more.
Yellow shared taxis run set routes for a few hundred francs; benskin motorbikes are quicker but riskier. Take a private taxi after dark.
Bitterleaf in ground peanut sauce with shrimp or beef. A Sawa dish from Douala.
Black stew of burned, ground spices, usually with fish.
Spiced whole fish grilled over charcoal, best at Youpwé.
Thin cassava sticks steamed in leaves, the coast's starch.
Chicken fried with ripe plantain, the dish for honoured guests.
Black-eyed peas and red palm oil, steamed in banana leaves.
Spiced beef skewers grilled by street vendors after dark.
Fritters, spiced beans and porridge: the street breakfast.
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