Blantyre
Not been yet
At a glance
- Country
- Malawi
- Region
- Southern Region
- Population
- 800,000
- Best time to go
- May to October
- Main airport
- Chileka International (BLZ)
- Coordinates
- 15.79°S, 35.01°E
Visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Blantyre is Malawi's oldest city and its commercial centre, founded by Scottish missionaries in the 1870s and named after David Livingstone's birthplace. It sits in rolling green hills in the south of the country.
The city itself is a practical stopover, but the surrounding area is superb. Tea estates, the cool forests of the Zomba Plateau and the granite massif of Mount Mulanje are all within easy reach.
Things to see
-
Photo: AndrewDressel ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0 St Michael and All Angels Church
A remarkable red-brick church built by missionaries without formal training, completed in the 1890s.
-
Photo: Scottish Government, CC BY 4.0 Mandala House
One of the oldest buildings in Malawi, a colonial house with a veranda, café and small gallery.
-
Photo: TimCowley, CC BY-SA 3.0 Museum of Malawi
A small national museum covering the country's history, culture and traditions.
Things to do
-
Photo: Felefuchs, CC BY-SA 3.0 Zomba Plateau
Walk forest trails to waterfalls and viewpoints on this cool mountain plateau, around an hour and a half north.
-
Photo: Jesse Allen, NASA Earth Observatory, using Landsat data and , Public domain Climb Mount Mulanje
Hike multi-day trails between mountain huts on this vast granite massif to the south-east.
-
Tea estate visit
Tour the plantations around Thyolo and Mulanje and taste tea at source.
-
Photo: David Davies from Birmingham, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0 Majete Wildlife Reserve
A restored reserve in the Shire Valley where you can see elephants and other big game.
Find tours
Where to stay
City centre
Convenient for shops, banks and restaurants, with a range of hotels.
Hotels in City centreSunnyside
A quiet, leafy residential area with guesthouses.
Hotels in SunnysideMulanje
Stay out of town near the mountain and tea estates for a calmer base.
Hotels in Mulanje
Getting around
Taxis are the easiest way to get around; minibuses link Blantyre with Limbe and nearby towns. A driver is useful for day trips.
Chileka airport is around 15 kilometres north of the centre, roughly 20 to 30 minutes by car.
When to go
The cool, dry months from May to August are ideal for hiking, and September to October are hotter but good for wildlife. The rains from November to April can make mountain trails slippery.
Plan your trip to Blantyre
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.