Top 20 things to do and attractions in Sao Tome

Good

Bravo

Customer service was great. The food was ok. I had to get the waiter to microwave my food twice to get it to a reasonable temperature since it was served cold.

My favourite place that I've eaten in Sao Tome city - so nice that I've even returned to eat there again and will probably go again before I leave. The interior is nicely decorated, creating a comfy and cozy atmosphere. The waiters I had on both occassions were friendly and polite. As for the food - be careful because the portions are huge. The star dish for me was a seasoned rice pot with fish. It was massive, enough for four servings, but I finished the lot. Everything else was also tasty. By Sao Tome standards, it isn't cheap. But I don't mind paying a slight premium for a good experience with reliably good food. Pleasingly, on both occassions, a little amuse-bouche was brought out while waiting for the starters. Both times, the resturant was quite full but there was no real delay to the orders - I think. I received my starter within 10 minutes on both occassions.

Papafigo used to be good, but always with a long waiting time. On this holiday, we ate there for the last time. 70€ for 2 people (starter, main dish, dessert, wine), which is a lot for São Tomé. After starting by ordering 2 caipirinhas, we never received them, even after reminding them of them after around 40 minutes. Then we ordered a bottle of white wine and a big water. The wine came, the water didn't. They didn't have a lot of the food on the menu, which has happened too many times in the last years. The first starters took around 25 minutes to arrive, and the others came after about 40 minutes. Then we waited a very long time for the main courses. They arrived, but two of the side dishes never made it, even after several reminders. Everything is very chaotic, and the fuller the restaurant is, the worse it gets. This last time they started the evening by not having any local beer at all, and not much cold water. Just empty fridges. We always came when it was quite empty (around 18.30/19h), so the later you arrive, the longer you wait. We will not come back. We found another little heaven with very friendly staff and food to die for (and it arrives very fast): Vilma Casa de Petisco 💛 Don't waste your time waiting in Papa-Figo anymore...

In short: AVOID. Really bad food, only white tourist restaurant. Much better places close by. Just around the corner the restaurant Carambola is indefinitely better with freshly prepared, tasty food and absolutely recommended. The service, however, is very good and the location is nice, but food is the most important criteria and this is terrible. In Papa-Figo they served the worst food we have had in 3 weeks in STP. Served cold, not freshly prepared. The service is very good, people are proper waiters. The atmosphere is nice, though there were construction works directly next to the tables (with buzzsaws?!) while we ate. Lots of flying insects while eating, landing on the food and people while eating. Cannot recommend at all, not even if you are a tourist and close by as there are better options.

This restaurant, which is visited by many foreigners, is open until late at night. Some staff can speak English. The menu is a little expensive compared to other restaurants, and since Iva (15%) is not add on the menu, the overall price is high.

Great diverse and tasty menu. Nice staff and always full of people. The octopus stew was very good.

Excellent food, local, homemade and the service is very attentive!

São Tomé and Príncipe played a pivotal role in the history of slavery, particularly as the birthplace of the plantation system that later spread to the Americas. Here’s a detailed overview of its significance: 1. Origins of Plantation Slavery São Tomé was the first place where the Portuguese established a largescale, slavebased plantation economy in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The island's uninhabited status and fertile land made it an ideal testing ground for sugar production using enslaved African labor . The Praia Melão sugar mill now under archaeological study, is one of the earliest examples of this system, where enslaved Africans performed all tasks—from farming to construction—under brutal conditions . 2. Hub of the Transatlantic Slave Trade The islands became a critical transit point for enslaved Africans shipped to Brazil and the Caribbean. São Tomé acted as a Slave Islands depot, where captives from West and Central Africa (e.g., Benin, Kongo, Angola) were gathered before transatlantic voyages . By the 1530s, São Tomé briefly dominated Europe’s sugar market, but competition from Brazil and slave revolts led to its decline . 3. Resistance and Revolts Enslaved Africans frequently escaped to mountainous mocambos (maroon communities). The most famous rebellion was led by Amador in 1595, who destroyed sugar mills and nearly overthrew Portuguese rule before being executed. He is now a national hero, commemorated on currency and with a national holiday . 4. Legacy and Transition After sugar declined, São Tomé shifted to cocoa and coffee in the 19th century, still relying on forced labor under abusive contract systems until the 20th century . The island’s genetic and cultural diversity today reflects centuries of admixture between African, European, and Creole populations, with distinct communities like the Angolares (descendants of maroons) . 5. Archaeological and Historical Rediscovery Recent excavations at Praia Melão aim to uncover the daily lives of enslaved people, challenging the island’s overlooked role in shaping global slavery .

It's worth the 4€ entrance fee. Both of the employees I interacted with were kind. The fort is nice but the star of the show is the lighthouse on top. Besides that, outside you see big walls, cannons, some statues, a courtyard and beautoful views of the bay. Inside, there are exhibits with various themes. Some of them are crafts, others are religious. Upstairs is a history section about the colonial period and Sao Tome's struggle for independence (some brutal photos in one room). It's a shame that this is only available in Portuguese, since I don't speak the local language and would have loved to read about this - maybe consider translations (either other boards in common languages like English, French, etc. or QR codes that visitors can scan with automated translations?). In places, it is a little tired and could do with a fresh curation.

Very good, cheap entrance fee too. Also can go up the lighthouse

We visited this museum and we loved it! The lady working here as a tour guide knew everything about the objects and the building. I strongly recommend visiting this building if you go to Sao tome.

A place with a much bigger potential. Underfunded and run down. But still worth a visit.

The fort + national history museum including Old and modern history of Sao Tomé

Interesting place to visit. The guide was nice and helpful.

Fantastic find. Beautiful setting. The food was top notch & the bar upstairs at night is the place to be at the weekend. The owner Goody is on the ball with customer service. Isa was also so nice. Great place to relax with a coffee, a romantic meal or a drink. The exterior stairs is an engineering marvel.

Excellente cuisine. Absolutely everything taste amazing

Set in an old colonial mansion this restaurant offers everything from historic atmosphere, fresh, deliciously prepared food and an owner who is hands-on and attentive. It is a haven from the bustle of the city. A real gem, not to be missed when in Sao Tome.

We arrived at approx 17:45 but this place wasn’t yet open, yet Google it states 24 hours? Anyway, some of the staff were sitting outside and kindly opened up and gave us some menus. This place was the most expensive meal I had whilst visiting Sao Tome, 2 mains, 2 desserts and 2 drinks came to over 1,000 Dobra with prices potentially inflated for tourists - we were given a flyer at the airport. We had a fish burger, which didn’t have a bun, but was tasty, just sadly not very filling. For dessert there was the option to have lime mouse, again it was nice but sadly quite minimal for the price. Overall it wasn’t bad but was too expensive for what we got, drinks were double the price of everywhere else we went so I can’t score more than a 3.

Great experience!! The tuna with puré and cacao mouse are incredible. We highly recommend this place, it has a nice vibe and the people are very friendly. Must go when visiting Sao Tome👍

An original Sao Tome must-go bar for visitors. (Did not visit restaurant). Atmosphere is great. The passion-fruit rum (local rum) drink is a must. But if you easily get an headache from too much alkohol, don't exceed 4 drinks :-) . Music was in the early evening at a talk-friendly volume.

Quality food with good service…starters here are the must try….. just need to add more variety items to the menu….

I mean, you aren't gonna get the pizza you are used to, but this one was good and served its purpose. We ordered two and scarfed them down, they taste more like a microwave pizza ( that isn't to say that it wasn't good) but just so you know what you are getting. The staff was kind and I would def go back if I were back on the island.

A very mediocre experience. Not good, not bad. My cheese sandwich was fine, but ultinately.was just bread and cheese. The vibe of the place is OK, inoffensive but nothing to.draw me back. The prices were alright, but not so amazing that I have to go again. The staff were polite.

Service is if possible slower than São Tomé low standard. After a long wait my pizza arrives cold. No condiments was offered or seen. If the pizza been warm it would a 4.

Good cake and desserts. The waiter was super slow. The place is ok, but people smoke inside which is disgusting.

One of the best places in Sao Tome to have a caipirinha and a meal. Best pizza on this island hands down.

Really good Pizza and local beer.

Simple food! Ham and cheese toast, pizzas, and cold beer. If you are looking for something quick, this is the place to go.

Small but sympathetic. The toilets definitely need a good clean.. Our flight got canceled/very long delayed. Airport staff wasn't very organized and we were given only few information on what is going on and what's happening next

Small airport, slow passport control, friendly staff, small store available (one for food/drinks and one for souvenirs).

The airport is small, but the scenery around it when you come in to land is beautiful. Be prepared for airport check-in staff who only speak Portuguese. The shop has some nice last-minute souvenirs but employees here urgently need customer service training (e.g. listening to music on earbuds while working, not acknowledging customers waiting at the check-out, etc.). There is a cafe with slightly overpriced but nice refreshments. The wifi is hit and miss.

I noticed that it was a small airport once we landed. The runaway is so short that the plane had to touch the ground abruptly. But experienced pilots handle the situation well. The facilities need improvements. The good point is that it's location is not far from most destinations in town.

Nice and small airport but terrible experience. First you line up for covid check, then passport control, and then at the exit you line up to get your bag checked. The passport check line was about 30 minutes wait even when I was one of the first to leave the aircraft. Only one person on duty. Also very hard to get a taxi. Absolute mayhem in front of the terminal building and when you find one, they will probably ask €10 for a 2km ride. Very wild experience.

Very slow check in. Need to be more organized. Coffee shops were closed during the day! No luggage wrapping service. Fast internet service (free).

They worked quite carefully. Exit tickets must be issued in Gabon as there are no transit counters in Gabon. It costs 80Db to take a tuk-tuk to Sao Tome city, but the price is likely to change as it is expected to be crowded when the plane arrives. Although it is small, there is a souvenir shop and a bar.

Very good restaurant. The place is very nice with great ambience and the treatment is also 10. Highly recommended

It is one of the most beautiful Bars on the whole island with perfekt Drinks and perfekt food, but keep your hands away from any rum - they charged us 21 Euro for 2 rum!!

Great bar, but 360 Dobra for the Food including 3 Beer and 540 for 2 Rum is not even a bad joke - only order from the menu, otherwise you are fooled...

Nice terrasse with seaview... Get a caipirinha and enjoy sunset on the bay... Lots of tapas/ petiscos. Staff and service is ok.

Super delicious capirinhas. Nice DJ Very well designed place. Cozy self made furniture. Great service

Very nice place with tasty drinks. Great DJ on Friday nights.

Cool place for drinks and chill out especially on the terrace on the first floor.

(Translated by Google) A good beach for swimming (Original) Uma boa praia para banhar

(Translated by Google) Dutch fort of São Jerónimo, built after the Portuguese-Dutch war in which the island of São Tomé was occupied by the Dutch from 1641 to 1648. (Original) Fuerte neerlandés de São Jerónimo, construido tras la guerra luso-neerlandesa en que la isla de Santo Tomé fue ocupada por los neerlandeses desde 1641 a 1648.

(Translated by Google) Very beautiful building 😍 (Original) Edifício muito lindo 😍

A must-see, well worth it for the stunning views and relaxing sea pool

This beach is absolutely incredible. It's the kind of thing you might only imagine seeing in the movies. The water is warm and crystal clear. There are rock pools with beautiful fish swimming around that make you feel like you're sitting in an aquarium. Locals have set up a shop on the beach and come to chat with you to see if you want any help with anything, but they're very friendly and won't harass you if you're not interested. I think some of them might be entertainment staff at a nearby hotel. ***The only thing that should put people off is the road to get there. And I absolutely believe it should put many tourists off. I only recommend you making a trip here if you're confident driving off road for extended periods or have a guide to drive you. It is a very nerve-wracking journey, and should only be attempted by those experienced enough to tackle it. If the government could improve the roads, it would be a completely different matter. The road from São Tomé city to São João dos Angolares os absolutely fine. Some small potholes, but nothing bad. The road becomes terrible just after São João, with the majority of it being rubble where tarmac or concrete should be, more holes than road, and you can only safely travel about 10mph without risking the car. It takes about an hour on these roads to get to Porto Alegre. You may need to ask the locals which way to go to Praia Piscina because half way through the village the road basically disappears. The next 15-20 minutes you're essentially driving off-road. It was bad during dry season. I could only imagine how terrible it would be during rainy season. Seriously, take this warning to heart. If you're brave and experienced driving off-road, you're in for a drive of a lifetime to reach this stunning beach. If not, stick to the other beautiful beaches on the island, the ones on the north and the east coast between São Tomé and São João dos Angolares.*** Special thanks to the local dog that saw us off all the way from the the beach's car park, along the track to Praia Inhame. I almost ran him over a few times as he ran in front of the car, but he gave us the best send-off!

This swimming pool beach is a marvel of landscape engineering, combining the best of two worlds: the natural atmosphere of a beach with the safety and practicality of a swimming pool, located in a privileged coastal area, the swimming pool beach extends along a of fine, golden sand, surrounded by tall coconut trees and lush vegetation. Access to the beach is facilitated by a walkway that winds between the trees until you find the transition area, where the pool water meets the sand. The pool, imposing in its size, is built in an organic shape that resembles the natural shapes of beaches, with gentle curves and gentle contours. Its crystal-clear water reflects the sun's shine, inviting visitors to dive in and cool off.

One of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. The beach is breathtaking with a lot of waves, palmtrees, a view point and some natural pools (shallow waters) to avoid the strong streams. Beautiful sunset, easily accessible by walk from the ecolodges around (15min max).

Amazing & silent beach, locals selling fruits (e.g. coconuts) and souvenirs

Probably the prettiest beach on the island. Great clear water

Probably the best sunset beach in the Island. Also this beach is very unique in its looks. A must see.

Charming site with beautiful waterfall and nice bridge. Very lush vegetation all around. It is not so easy to get there because the road is very potholed and can be driven at a maximum speed of 10 km/h. The other point is a lack of steps down to the waterfront. It is possible to get there, but watch your step! For sure it is worth to visit on your way to botanical garden.

Nice waterfall, although the flow wasn't as strong when I visited compared with some photos I've seen. Lovely setting with mists drifting across the treetops. Only thing that slightly detracted was the local school kids who didn't get the hint that beyond "Hello" and "How are you?" I wasn't really in the mood for playing with them (I'm aware this makes me sound very grumpy but I don't speak Portuguese and they were at that age where they're old enough that they're no longer sweet but not old enough for meaningful conversation, just annoying after 20 minutes - you'll see what I mean if you encounter them on their way home from school).

Easy to get to in a car although a bumpy route. Due to the dry season the waterfall was not at it's full potential.

Nice waterfall close to the road and with parking. Not far from botanical gardens, so if you have driven there, this detour is a must

Nice scenery and great vegetation around there.... Very well car accessible but you have to be careful walking around there as you can easily slip and fall...

Outside of rainy season not worth it!

Beautiful place…calm and peaceful atmosphere…a nice place to get clicked..

A nice beach ⛱️ in the north of São Tome. It is very active and fun. It is popular among locals and tourists alike, providing a vibrant atmosphere. The beach has a beautiful white crescent-shaped shoreline facing an emerald sea, perfect for swimming. The beach is surrounded by shramp vegetation with tamarind tree and framed by black lava volcanic cliffs, making it a picturesque spot.

On the road to the beach there is a barrier across the road where they charge a tariff for going to the beach. The man told us it was 30 dobra, but when I later checked my change from 100 he only gave me 30 back At the beach we were not left alone. Lots of boys / young men sitting almost on your lap and tapping for attention. We could only swim one at a time as we felt it wasn't safe to leave our belongings.

The beach is ok but full of trash. Also locals tell you to not go further than the end it is apparently not safe. Bandits....around everything is burnt as well

Praia dos Tamarindos is one of the most popular and frequented beaches in São Tomé. I even love this beach because it is very easy to access, located in the northern region of the country, with its golden sands, crystal clear waters and peaceful environment. The Tamarinos that line the beach provide shade for visitors, creating an ideal setting to relax and enjoy the natural beauty. The water is generally calm, making it suitable for swimming and gentle water sports such as snorkeling. In addition to its natural features, Praia dos Tamarindos also offers amenities for visitors such as beachfront restaurants, bars, and opportunities to rent water sports equipment. In short, Praia dos Tamarindos is an unmissable destination for anyone visiting São Tomé and Príncipe, offering a perfect combination of natural beauty, tranquility and fun by the sea.

Great beach to swim and chill at! The road is quite rough but manageable (we visited in dry season, no 4x4). No trash (or if so, just a little).

Beautiful beach on the north of the island, small protected bay, snorkeling further out. Trees for shade, but there is some litter.

Stunning beach! Very bumby narrow road to get there, but the sand was a golden color and the water was crystal clear. Only a few people came on the weekday morning when I was there.

Sao Tome, at this point, is identified with this landmark. A stunning volcanic peak known for its unique shape and the breathtaking views of its surrounded lush vegetation. It is a popular spot for hiking and adventure. I will recommend doing the hike with an experienced local guide for a safer and more informative experience. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring the necessary supplies. Pico Cão Grande is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. However guest can just see it on the way to the South if they are not interested in a hike. It is visible at different views points

This is a monument in Sao Tomé, which is rich in nature. Although it is 370 m high, it stands out compared to its surroundings. The weather is changeable, so the summit is often hidden by clouds, making it difficult to see the whole structure. The name means "Peak of the Great Dog". This black tower is in Stephen King's Dark Tower epic.

Majestic view

The views from the road are gorgeous, especially for some quintessential Cão Grande photographs.

It’s cold

Very beautiful

Amazing

This is one of the most popular attractions and beaches in STP. Very laid, it is one of the most visited beaches for swimming, snockling, and instagrammable photos. On a good day, you'll find very few people there where the bins are not overflowing. The volcanic rocks give the water a beautiful turquoise blue colour. It is more of a rocky bay than a sandy beach. A hike to the nearby hill gives a stunning of the area. It is very rocky, and visitors need to be careful with the climb.

Lagoa Azul Beach is a natural pool with crystal clear, turquoise water, located on the east coast of São Tomé Island. It is known for its calm and clear waters, perfect for swimming and diving. Surrounded by a stunning landscape of volcanic rocks and tropical vegetation, the Blue Lagoon offers a truly serene and relaxing experience. With its friendly craft vendors ready to showcase the country's traditional products such as earrings, hand-carved paintings with fascinating and readable designs. To get to Lagoa Azul, it is often necessary to take a short walk from the main road, following trails through the rainforest. However, the natural beauty of the place makes it worth the effort. The Blue Lagoon is one of the many natural gems that São Tomé and Príncipe has to offer and is an unmissable destination for nature lovers and travelers in search of tranquility and untouched beauty.

I wasn’t too disappointed when we left this beach. Water was very nice tho. Beach not really existent.

Clean beach with scenic rocks and a picturesque view. If you’d like a short hike, there’s a lighthouse at the summit that makes for a perfect shot.

It is a blue lagoon indeed. Peaceful place to appreciate nature, swim and take stunning photos.

Awsome place with true natural beauty.superb touristic place where you can enjoy sunrise,sunset,snorkeling ,cliff diving,scooba diving etc. The place is superbly neat and clean with proper waste management system unlike other countries.

I love this place , so calm and peaceful..... The water is not cold ! A very good option for weekend.

Beautiful beach in Sao Tome island with nice sand and surrounded by palms covered hills.

Beautiful, abandoned beach!

Almost untouched beach. Some small particles of crude oil on the sand are incovenient.

Lovely but too many waves.

It a very nice place and cool to relax

A Beautiful place to rest and spend time relaxing

Beautiful beach, paradise.

We rented a car with Saofeiras for one week. It was a Suzuki Jimny 4WD. At first it appeared that the passenger seat belt was not functioning. We had to get back to São Tomé down town so that they could repair it. By the way the repair was not satisfactory, still not easy to use the seat belt. Then we realized that the 4WD mode was not functional. As per the renter “most of the Jimnys are not really a 4x4”. So they should not rent it as “Off-road 4WD”. So at the end I decided to pay only 90% of the 330€ we owed the renter. Which is already a proper amount compared to the service provided.

We reserved a car on a cruise stop and waited, but they rented it to someone else and lied saying they had the same name! Very unprofessional and it ruined our day.

Car rental was excellent! Automatic, SUW, in very good condition, good tires, no problems at all. To go to the south, you need higher vehicle. Bumpy roads.

Rent a car was great. The price was relatively low and the car was in good condition. Returning the car was easy and without any issue.

We booked Sao Pedro Guesthouse, Mucumbli, Rocks Tree House, a motorbike, a car and diving at Santana Beach Club with Saoferias. Everything worked good. We can definitely recommend this agency. Vladimyr answered all (we had a lot) our questions via e-mail in english and he and Gizela were very helpful. Call them on your trip if you have questions. They will help. Saoferias - Thank you very much for your assistance!

A very good choice for all your reservations. We value the personal attention, the staff is always available and very helpful in case of any challenges. This makes the stay in STP stress free.

Our rented car was not delivered at the airport but only the next morning, not the car booked and two days later it broke down. Not professional.

Spectacular wild natural beach surrounded by forest, trees on the beach for shade & warm water in a sheltered bay is perfect for swimming

Best beach in São Tomé, beautiful waves, cristal clear water and best of all: small beach bar with ice cold beers

Spectacular beach!!! Very good waves for surfing 🏄‍♀️ It is surrounded by trees which makes it a very pleasant place!!! There is a small restaurant also

Perhaps too many waves that I would like. But there is enough sand and space to play and enjoy. Now with a small restaurant, which the food is good!

If you are looking for sand dollars skeleton or surfing, it's the right place to be!

A beautiful and almost deserted beach. As others have said here one can find a curious type of shell, not found on other places. The water depth here is very shallow.

Very nice beach! I recomend the visit. Also you should go to the beach bar.