Guinea-Bissau: Bissau-Velha (Old City)

Bissau was established in 1687 as the colonial center of the Portuguese empire in the West Africa. Bissau-Velha is a small area in the heart of the city, literally a jumble of a dozen of narrow streets lined up with old houses in traditional Portuguese architecture – massive balconies hanging over a narrower first floor. Some of the buildings appear very old and crumbling and those balconies are about to fall. But it’s an awesome area when the setting sun creates shadows and highlights the colorful buildings. Absolutely safe and enjoyable to roam around and observe the old town and its inhabitants.