Top 17 Things to See and Do in Kigali

Of Kigali’s many markets, Kimironko market is one of the best and the biggest. Second-hand clothing, fruit and vegetables, fish, fabric, and baskets are all sold in this covered complex. Spend some time haggling for avocados before buying gifts for everyone on your list – Agaseke baskets are beautiful, unique to Rwanda, and sold by the dozen at Kimironko.

Rwanda’s 1994 genocide was an undeniably tragic event, and the Kigali Genocide Memorial does an excellent job of commemorating it. A visit to the memorial is unforgettable, as the attached and informative museum teaches visitors about the events before, during, and after the genocide.

Rwanda produces some of the best coffee in the world. Available everywhere from Costco to Starbucks, trying coffee while in the actual country is an absolute must. Question Coffee, a cafe and roastery linked to Sustainable Harvest (a coffee importing company), makes some of the best cups in the city. Also check out Inzora Rooftop Cafe as another coffee shop option.

For an in-depth experience of Kigali, look no further than Go Kigali tours. These half or full day tours, led by Rwandan guides, take visitors through five neighborhoods on an action packed day of sightseeing, eating, and learning about the city. The tour visits markets, milk bars, local restaurants, Mt. Kigali, and more in the course of just a few hours, and is a great way to see this beautiful city.

One of Rwanda’s most impressive mosques and structures, the Gaddafi Mosque was not actually constructed by Muammar Gaddafi. However, it was named as such for the road that Gaddafi did build that runs parallel to the mosque. The mosque’s official name, though no locals refer to it as such, is the Islamic Cultural Center. Located in the Nyamirambo neighborhood, the mosque also serves as school, clinic, and community center for the surrounding area.

Mt. Kigali looms over the rest of the city, providing a mountainous and hilly backdrop for residents. This beautiful mountain can be hiked, biked, or driven up, and the views from the top, on a good day, stretch on for miles.

Cows are incredibly important to Rwandan culture, and symbolize wealth, prosperity, and identity. Cows are still used today to pay a marriage dowry, or bride price. Milk is, as a result, also very important culturally, and small shops dedicated only to milk (called milk bars) are classically Kigali. Milk bars in the Nyamirambo or Kimisagara neighborhoods of Kigali are often the best, and are designated as such with the phrase ‘Amata Meza’ (meaning fresh milk in Kinyarwanda) and a drawing of a cow on the door.

Nyamirambo, Kigali’s Muslim quarter, is one of the city’s most vibrant areas for bars, restaurants, and general merriment. Big fish, otherwise known as a large tilapia grilled with onions and spices, is one of Nyamirambo’s specialties. Grab a friend or two (one big fish can feed several people), and head to Green Corner or Ten to Two Panorama for some of the city’s best.

Chez Lando – a restaurant, hotel and Kigali institution. Serving up some of Kigali’s best brochettes (grilled meat or fish on a stick), chips, and cold beers, Chez Lando is located right on the busy Remera Roundabout.

Located in the Remera neighborhood, Amahoro is the largest stadium in Rwanda with a capacity of 30,000. Soccer matches are held there regularly, as Rwandans from all over Kigali come to support their teams. The two most popular teams of Kigali are Police FC and Armée Patriotique Rwandaise FC (called APR), with league champions Rayon Sports FC based in Nyanza, the southern province of Rwanda. Games are a reliably rowdy, loud, and fun affair.

Kigali’s art scene is on the rise. Unique and contemporary Rwandan art can be found all over the city, and Inema Arts Center houses some of Kigali’s best and brightest talent. The gallery was founded by brothers Emmanuel Nkuranga and Innocent Nkurunziza, and hosts the work of fourteen different Rwandan artists. In addition to beautiful pieces, happy hours (check them out on Thursday!), yoga classes, and other events can be found in their creative space.