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City guide

Douala, Cameroon

Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and its economic capital. It is also the capital of Cameroon's Littoral Region.

Type CityPopulation 4,346,000

Why go

  • Largest city and economic capital of Cameroon.
  • Served by Tiko Airport (TKC).

History

Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and its economic capital. It is also the capital of Cameroon's Littoral Region. It was home to Central Africa's largest port, now being replaced by Kribi port. It has the country's major international airport, Douala International Airport (DLA). It is the commercial and economic capital of Cameroon and the entire CEMAC region comprising Gabon, Congo, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic and Cameroon. Consequently, it handles most of the country's major exports, such as oil, cocoa and coffee, timber, metals and fruits. As of 2025, the city and its surrounding area had an estimated population of 4,346,000, while the city proper had an estimated population of 3,816,500. The city sits on the estuary of the Wouri River and its climate is tropical.

Where to stay

2MRQ+WCF Christian Tobie Kuoh, 729 Rue Victoria, Douala, Cameroon · khoteldouala.com
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ancien 3eme , A 100m du carrefour TIFF, Douala, Cameroon · hotelmickel.com
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B.P. 3633 Douala, Douala, Cameroon · krystalpalacedouala.com
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2PH3+PCR, Rue Njo-Njo, Douala, Cameroon · lafalaisebonapriso.com
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En face Clinique des Rameaux , BP 9336, Bonaberi, Douala, Cameroon · larochellebonaberi.com
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Boulevard de l'unité, Douala, Cameroon · fayahotel.com
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Ave du General de Gaulle, Douala, Cameroon · onomohotels.com
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920 Bd de la Liberté, Douala, Cameroon · hotel-akwa-palace.com
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Carrefour salle des fêtes d'Akwa,, Douala, Cameroon · akwa.residenceslecarat.com
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184 Rue Pierre Loti, Douala, Cameroon · all.accor.com
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3P33+498, Rue Drouot Face Lycée d'Akwa, Douala, Cameroon · hotelbanopalace.com
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BP : 4168 Douala 101 Rue 1362, Ave du Docteur Jamot, Douala, Cameroon · noubouinternationalhotel.com
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115 Rue Copseco, Douala, Cameroon · particulardestinysuites.com
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6556, Douala, Cameroon · soft-hotel.com
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Ave des Cocotiers, Douala, Cameroon · platinumcocotiershotel.com
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3PC6+R66, Douala, Cameroon · trapyourtrip.com
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5300, Bd de la Liberté, Douala, Cameroon · hotelresidencelafalaise.com
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Bd de la République, Douala, Cameroon · hotelvalleedesprinces.com
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2MRV+95P, Douala, Cameroon · isthac.net
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0000, Douala, Cameroon
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Cameroon, Douala, Rue Bertaut, Rue Prince Bell Bali
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488 Rue de Verdun, Douala, Cameroon
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293 Rue du Prince de Galles, Douala, Cameroon
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3MHC+R8M, Bonabéri, Cameroon
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3MGF+98W, Ancienne route, Bonabéri, Cameroon
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Centre-ville, Boulevard de la République, Douala, Cameroon
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3P45+XGF, Boulevard de la Réunification, Douala, Cameroon
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2MXX+R9R, Douala, Cameroon
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3M2V+4G4, Douala, Cameroon
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2MMQ+J82, Rue de Trieste, Douala, Cameroon
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Restaurants & places to go

Fish, Burger, Grill, French, Cake, Seafood, Local, Steak House, Pasta, Fine Dining, Chicken, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-23:30 Features: vegan… · lovalie.net
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Regional, International, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-00:00 Features: air conditioning · Akwa, Rue Mermoz Rue Boué de Lapeyrère (N° 1.382), Douala
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Cafe · a
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Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant · Bonamoussadi
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African, Barbecue, Deli, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:00
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Seafood, Breakfast, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:00 · 303 5N 413, Douala
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Steak House, Burger, Pizza, International, Restaurant · Opening hours: 12:00-03:00 · Boulevard de la Liberté, Douala
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Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-16:00 · 699626262 · diet-sante.net
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Cameroonian, Grill, Fish, Meat, Restaurant · Cameroonian/Grill restaurant · Douala, B.P. 8195
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Food Court · food court · dubaihoteldla.com
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Burger, Sandwich, Grill, Coffee Shop, Steak House, Pizza, Chicken, Italian Pizza, Fish, French, Friture, American, Italian, Barbecue, Fast Food ·…
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Barbecue, Coffee Shop, Bistro, Regional, Restaurant · Barbecue/Coffee Shop restaurant
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Indian, Restaurant · Indian restaurant
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Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
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Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant
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Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-23:00
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Ice Cream · ice cream
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Fish, African, Restaurant · Fish/African restaurant
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Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: 07:00+ Features: outdoor seating, delivery · Douala, 1543
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Pizza, Fast Food · Pizza fast food
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African, Fish, Restaurant · African/Fish restaurant · Rue de Verdun
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Restaurant · restaurant · seemannsmission.org
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Food Court · food court
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Fast Food · fast food
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Ice Cream · ice cream
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Cafe · cafe
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Restaurant · Haut standing, réservation
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Fast Food · fast food
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Ice Cream · ice cream
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Cafe · cafe
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Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:00-24:00 · Rue 5.111
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Fast Food · fast food
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Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00 · La Route du Campus 2 ESSEC
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Fast Food · fast food
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Cafe · cafe
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Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-18:00 · Rue Victoria(N°1.047)
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Cafe · cafe
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Restaurant · restaurant
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Cafe · cafe
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Restaurant · restaurant
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Cafe · cafe
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Restaurant · restaurant
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53 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Douala International Airport (DLA) 6.7 km to the centre
Douala, LT, CM — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 21 airlines (Camair-co, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Brussels Airlines…) · direct flights to 21 destinations incl. Yaounde, Brussels, Malabo, Brazzaville, Cotonou… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 21 airlines, 21 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Tiko Airport (TKC) 38 km to the centre
Tiko, SW, CM — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Malinkam Northwest Airport 62 km to the centre
Malinkam, LT, CM
Outdoor
Lobe Airfield 92 km to the centre
Ekondo-Titi, SW, CM
Outdoor

Regional airports

Further out, but often the cheapest way in — the airports the low-cost carriers use. Each links to its own town's guide for getting from there into the city.

Malabo International Airport (SSG) 115 km to the centre
Malabo, BN, GQ — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 9 airlines (Chicago Express, Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines…) · direct flights to 8 destinations incl. Douala, Addis Ababa, Libreville, Abuja, Bata… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 115 km from Douala · Chicago Express, Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc · Getting around Malabo →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 9 airlines, 8 direct destinations
  • Chicago Express C8 (146) · 3 routes: Bata, Cotonou, Douala
  • Ethiopian Airlines ET (767-300) · 2 routes: Addis Ababa, Douala
  • Royal Air Maroc AT (737-800) · 2 routes: Casablanca, Libreville
  • Turkish Airlines TK (767-300) · 2 routes: Addis Ababa*, Douala*
  • Air France AF (777-200) · 1 route: Douala
  • Dennis Sky DH (ATR 72) · 1 route: Libreville
  • Iberia Airlines IB (A319) · 1 route: Madrid
  • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (777) · 1 route: Douala*
  • Lufthansa Cargo LH (A340-300) · 1 route: Abuja

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor

Getting there by ferry

Ferry terminal
Ferry terminal · 19 km from the centre
Outdoor
Ferry terminal
Ferry terminal · 19 km from the centre
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Tiko Airport (TKC); 2 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 2 ferry terminals within 20 km.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Douala, Cameroon. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data

Trains & rail

Rail operator

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.