The harbour at Pindjiguiti has been a trading hub for hundreds of years. Boats brought goods in and out, and people from many different cultures met and mixed here. That history shows in the architecture - you can see buildings built in many different styles standing side by side, each one telling part of a long story.
The market in the old quarter is one of the most colourful places in Bissau. Stalls overflow with fresh fish, tropical fruit, colourful fabric, handmade baskets, and the spices used in local cooking. The smells, sounds, and colours all combine to make the market feel like a feast for the senses.
Music drifts out of open doorways throughout the day. Guinea-Bissau has a rich musical tradition, and the old quarter is a great place to hear live gumbé music - a lively style with drumming, singing, and dancing that makes it almost impossible to stand still. Evenings can bring impromptu concerts in the squares.
Children in Bissau play football in any open space they can find - a narrow alley, a patch of wasteland, the edge of the market square. The game is everywhere, played with fierce enthusiasm and lots of skill.