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Monrovia and the Settlements of 1822

Providence Island, the National Museum and Careysburg's Southern-style streets

2 days9 stopsSMOVECITY EditorsUpdated September 2026

cultureweekend
Monrovia and the Settlements of 1822 — Monrovia

Two days on the history the Liberia National Tourism Authority puts first: the freed American settlers who arrived in 1822, the island where they first landed, and the towns they built with architecture that still echoes the American South.

Day 1

  1. 14:00

    Arrive in Monrovia and check in

    ~45 min

    Settle in and get your bearings in the capital. The LNTA office is on Warner Avenue in Sinkor (open Monday to Friday, 8:00–17:00) if you want maps and advice in person.

  2. 15:30

    Providence Island

    ~90 min

    The first point of arrival for the freed slaves who founded the Republic of Liberia, as the LNTA describes it. The island sits in the Mesurado River off downtown Monrovia.

    Providence Island
  3. 17:30

    Mamba Point at sunset

    ~60 min

    The headland neighbourhood above the Atlantic, a short walk from downtown. Cape Mesurado is the point of land the city was built on.

  4. 19:30

    Dinner the Liberian way

    ~90 min

    The LNTA names palm butter soup, jollof rice and pepper soup as the dishes to try, and fish and crabs along the coast. Ask where you are staying for their recommendation.

Day 2

  1. 09:30

    National Museum of Liberia

    ~90 min

    Named by the LNTA as the place to start on the settler story: 'Get to grips with the distinct history of the freed American slave settlements in Liberia'.

    National Museum of Liberia
  2. 12:00

    Lunch downtown

    ~60 min

    Keep it simple and local before the drive out of the city.

  3. 13:30

    Careysburg

    Inland from Monrovia in Montserrado County. The LNTA singles it out for 'its Southern US-style architecture' — mansions 'reminiscent of antebellum plantation homes in America's South'.

  4. 15:00

    Walk Careysburg

    ~120 min

    Take the town on foot: the settler-era houses are the point. The Liberian flag's red, white and blue is another of the 'unusual historic ties to America' the LNTA points to.

  5. 19:00

    Evening of music and dance

    ~120 min

    Liberia's 16 major ethnic groups each carry their own music, dance and festivals — 'every performance tells a story', in the LNTA's words. Ask the LNTA (info@lnta.gov.lr) what is on this week.

Good to know

How many days do I need for Monrovia?

Monrovia and the Settlements of 1822 covers Monrovia in 2 days, with 9 planned stops. You can follow it exactly as published, or shorten and extend days after opening it in the SMOVECITY app.

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Yes. Opening it in the SMOVECITY app turns it into your own editable trip — reorder days, add or remove stops, and invite friends to plan together with live co-editing.

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The SMOVECITY app shows public transport, shared bikes, e-scooters and other mobility options in Monrovia on one live map, so you can compare routes between the stops on this itinerary as you go.

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