←Sierra Leone travel guide
Western Area, Sierra Leone
Freetown
A hillside capital where colonial history meets Atlantic beaches
BeachesCultureHistory & Heritage
Freetown spreads across a dramatic peninsula where the Sierra Leone River meets the Atlantic, its streets rising into forested hills above a crescent of white-sand beaches. The capital blends old Creole architecture, lively markets, and a waterfront that has witnessed centuries of West African and transatlantic history.
Check Sierra Leone visa requirements →
Best time to visit
November to April (dry season)
Region
Western Area
Main airport
Freetown (FNA)
Discover
Top Things to Do in Freetown
Nature
Freetown Peninsula Beaches
Stretching south from Freetown along a spine of forested hills, the peninsula's beaches include River Number Two, Tokeh, Bureh, and Laka, offering long arcs of white sand backed by palm trees and warm Atlantic surf. River Number Two Beach is widely regarded as one of the finest beaches in West Africa, where the emerald waters of a small river flow into the sea and a community cooperative manages visitor facilities. The beaches are most accessible during the dry season, when calm seas and clear skies make for ideal conditions.
Culture
National Museum, Freetown
Housed in the former railway headquarters building in central Freetown, the National Museum holds collections that trace Sierra Leone's history from precolonial societies through the era of the transatlantic slave trade to independence in 1961. Exhibits include traditional masks, royal regalia, archaeological artefacts, and documentation of the country's diverse ethnic groups and their cultural practices. The museum provides a grounded introduction to Sierra Leonean heritage before venturing further afield.
Beyond the City
Day Trips from Freetown
History
Bunce Island
Set in the Sierra Leone River about 30 kilometres upstream from Freetown, Bunce Island is the site of a British slave fort that operated from the 1670s until 1807 and dispatched tens of thousands of captive Africans to the Americas. The ruins of the fort, slave yard, watchtowers, and magazine remain on this small island, which sits on UNESCO's Tentative World Heritage List and was Sierra Leone's first officially protected historic site. Boat trips from Freetown bring visitors to one of West Africa's most significant sites of transatlantic slavery history.
Nature
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Located within the Western Area Peninsula National Park a short drive from central Freetown, Tacugama is home to over 100 rescued western chimpanzees and is one of the most established primate sanctuaries in West Africa. The sanctuary offers guided tours, overnight stays in eco-lodges, forest hikes, and birdwatching, with all proceeds supporting rescue, rehabilitation, and community conservation programmes. Founded in 1995, it has become a flagship institution for wildlife protection in Sierra Leone.
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Plan Your Trip
Getting Around Freetown
Tours, stays, transfers, and flights — curated partner options are on the way.
Tours & Activities
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Coming soonWhere to Stay
Hotels, apartments, and guesthouses across every neighbourhood — booking options are on the way.
Coming soonAirport Transfers
Private and shared rides between the airport and the city centre — partner options are on the way.
Coming soonFlights
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Coming soonTravel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Sierra Leone
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Sierra Leone page at Yoogo.
Sierra Leone uses the Leone (ISO code SLE), introduced in 2022. Cash is the dominant means of payment outside of a handful of upmarket hotels and restaurants in Freetown, so it is advisable to carry sufficient local currency, which can be obtained at banks and bureaux de change in the capital.
Sierra Leone is a peaceful country and many visitors travel without incident, but it is advisable to stay aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying valuables, and check current government travel advisories before your trip. Petty theft is the most commonly reported issue, particularly in busy markets and ferry terminals in Freetown.
Within Freetown, shared taxis and poda-podas (minibuses) are the main forms of public transport, alongside okada motorcycle taxis and three-wheeled keke taxis. Travel between towns is served by poda-podas and shared taxis departing from poda-poda parks; journeys to the provinces are on largely unpaved roads, so journey times can be long, particularly during the rainy season.
The dry season from November to April is generally considered the best time to visit, with the months of November through January offering the most pleasant conditions for sightseeing and beach travel. The wet season from May to October brings heavy rainfall, with July and August seeing the most intense downpours that can make some roads impassable.
English is the official language and is used in government, education, and formal business. Krio, a creole language descended partly from English and spoken by the majority of the population as a first or second language, serves as the common tongue across ethnic groups, and learning a few basic phrases such as 'kusheh' (hello) and 'tenki' (thank you) is warmly appreciated.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry and will be checked on arrival. Malaria is a high risk throughout the country, so antimalarial medication should be taken as prescribed; other commonly recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. Travellers should consult a travel health clinic at least four to eight weeks before departure.
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory; in mid-range and upmarket restaurants a tip of around 10 per cent is appropriate if a service charge has not already been added to the bill. For tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff, a modest tip in local currency is a well-received gesture for good service.