Why go
- Capital and most populous city of DR Congo.
- Served by Ndolo Airport (NLO).
History
Kinshasa, formerly named Léopoldville from 1881 to 1966, is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa is one of the world's fastest-growing megacities, with an estimated population of 18.5 million in 2026. It is the most densely populated city in the DRC, the third-most populous city and third-largest metropolitan area in Africa, the world's seventh-most populous city proper, and the fourth-most populous capital city in the world. It is the leading economic, political, and cultural center of the DRC, housing several industries including manufacturing, telecommunications, banking, and entertainment. The city also hosts some of the DRC's significant institutional buildings, such as the People's Palace, Palace of the Nation, Constitutional Court, Court of Cassation, Council of State, African Union City, Marble Palace, Government House, Kinshasa Financial Center, and other national departments and agencies.
Where to stay
P7GP+9H5, Av. Amilcar Cabral, Brazzaville, Congo - Brazzaville · kempinski.com
Réf. Pont, 2, Avenue Sendwe, Ngabi, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · amaniinnhotels.com
Rue de Pavie, Brazzaville, Congo - Brazzaville · hotelroche.com
Cite Kin-Oasis, Ave Kasa-Vubu, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · kin-oasis-kinshasa.goldentulip.com
10-B Rue de Vista, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · lesfrancoissuites.com
76 Ave Bandundu, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · all.accor.com
9 Av. De La Mongola, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · kertelsuites.com
119 Boulevard Colonel Tshatshi, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · fleuvecongohotel.com
Av. de la 2ème Division Blindée, Brazzaville, Congo - Brazzaville · wa.me
Avenue Auxence Ickonga, Brazzaville, Congo - Brazzaville · grandlancasterbrazzaville.com
P7GM+J32, Av. P. E. Lumumba, Brazzaville, Congo - Brazzaville · ghsafrica.com
15 Avenue de l'Amitié B.P.: 1050, Congo - Brazzaville · olympic-palace-hotel.net
B.P. 288, 1 Avenue De l'Uganda, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · rotana.com
Av. Katanga, 87, Croise Bd Du 30 Juin, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · luxinnhotel.com
32 Avenue du Commerce, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · hotelplatinumkin.com
kitona 5, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · hotelselton.com
Brazzaville, Congo - Brazzaville · kylianapparthotel.com
3 Av. Kitona, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · hotelroyaldrc.com
41 Av. Luambo Makiadi, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · leonhotel-kinshasa.com
P7HJ+HFW, Brazzaville, Congo - Brazzaville · mikhaelshotel.com
1, Avenue de la Poste, Limete Résidentiel, Congo - Kinshasa · latreizieme.com
M7RQ+WP3, 30 Av. de la Justice, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · sultanihotel.com
12 Av. de L'avenir, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · sultaniriver.net
1 A Ave Mbuji-Mayi, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · marriott.com
Les Tours Jumelles De Mpila, Brazzaville, Congo - Brazzaville · hilton.com
10 Ave Wagenia, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · hilton.com
Ave De La Victoire, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · hotelatlantickin.com
16 Ave Tombalbaye, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · belleviehotel.com
Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · hotelelais.com
Rue Mampiri, Brazzaville, Congo - Brazzaville · kingmayahotel.com
1 Ave Isiro, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · beatricehotel.com
Commune de la Gombe, En face: Casier Judiciaire, 8 Av. Kalemie, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · marriott.com
14ieme, Rue Poids Lourds, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · aquasplashwaterpark.com
Centre-Ville, Corniche, Av. Amilcar Cabral, Brazzaville, Congo - Brazzaville · radissonhotels.com
Avenue de la Republique du Tchad B.P. 68, 5D, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · memling.net
Congo - Brazzaville, Brazzaville, A cote de l'ambassade de Chine, Face a Bayardelle, Nouveau Marechal Iyautey Maya-Maya · classhotel.cg
Gallerie Pacha, 22 Av. Rep Du Tchad, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa · hotelpourvous.com
16, avenue de Libération (Ex, Av. Du 24 Novembre, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa
Avenue Citronier N° 13, Q/Criux rouge, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa
05 Rue Loua / Meteo, Brazzaville, Congo - Brazzaville
1296 Rue Nko, Brazzaville, Congo - Brazzaville
P7Q3+7H6, Boulevard Denis Sassou Nguesso, Brazzaville, Congo - Brazzaville
Avenue du 30 Juin, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa
00243, Congo - Kinshasa
Rue Ikelemba N°A4, Q/matonge C, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa
13 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Restaurants & places to go
International, Restaurant · Mukina Inn Restau - Bar Opening hours: 08:00-21:00 Features: takeaway · 80 Avenue Nguma, Kinshasa, 00243
Restaurant · hotel, restaurant,bar Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-12:00, 11:00-18:00 · luvungi · pacifiquehotel.com
African, Restaurant · Opening hours: 24/7 · 16 Av. De la libération N°16 (Ex 24 Novembre) Gombe Réf: En face du saut de mouton Assanef, Kinshasa, 1003020 · linktr.ee
Italian, Pizza, Burger, Cafe · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: outdoor seating, air conditioning · lugogo bypass, Kinshasa · cafejavas.com
Grill, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-00:00 · Route de la Corniche, Brazzaville · facebook.com
European, African, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 06:00-23:00 · 16 Avenue de la Libération, Kinshasa, 1003020
Tapas, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 19:00-24:00 · Avenue Amilcar Cabral
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-23:00 · quickpoulet.com
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: 08H à 20H Features: outdoor seating · Avenue Mavungu, Kinshasa
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-17:00 Features: halal · 24 Avenue du Marché, Kimpe
Sandwich, Ice Cream, Burger, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-22:00; Su 08:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, delivery, air conditioning · 88…
Burger, Coffee Shop, Chicken, Sandwich, Steak House, Seafood, Barbecue, Pizza, Breakfast, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00 · 155 Avenue…
Congolese, Restaurant · Opening hours: 12:00-00:00 · 296 Avenue Tonde, Bandalungwa
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:00-15:00, Tu-Su 19:00-22:30
Chicken, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, delivery · facebook.com
Congolaise, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-18:00 Features: vegan options, step-free access · Avenue des Anciens Enfants de Troupe (AET), Brazzaville
Lebanese, Restaurant · Lebanese restaurant · Boulevard du 30 Juin
Arab, Lebanese, Breakfast, Coffee Shop, Restaurant · Arab/Lebanese restaurant · 117 Avenue Félix Eboué
Local, Restaurant · Local restaurant · Rue Louolo
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-20:00; Su 10:00-17:00 · 876 Rose Mall Avenue de la Justice
Brochettes, Restaurant · Features: takeaway · Avenue Kitega, Kinshasa
Home Style Cooking, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Barbecue, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, delivery, step-free access
Indian, Continentale, Restaurant · Features: step-free access
Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant
Greek, Restaurant · Greek restaurant · Avenue Luambo Makiadi
Cameroonian, Restaurant · Cameroonian restaurant
Tea, Cafe · Tea cafe · Brazzaville
French, Restaurant · French restaurant
Cuisine Congolaise, Chicken, Steak House, Restaurant · Cuisine Congolaise/Chicken restaurant
Moroccan, Restaurant · Moroccan restaurant
Sushi, Restaurant · Sushi restaurant · 272 Avenue Colonel Mondjiba
Asian, Restaurant · Asian restaurant
Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Su,PH off Features: outdoor seating
Food Court · Opening hours: Mo-Su,PH 03:00-22:04
Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-22:00
Biergarten · Features: outdoor seating · Congo Fort
International, Restaurant · Features: vegan options · 67 Avenue de la Justice, Commune de Gombe
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:00 Features: takeaway · 7 Avenue de Bangala, Kintambo, 1017090 · facebook.com
African, Local, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-22:00 · Rue de Maya-Maya
Italian, Mexican, French, Sushi, Lebanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: 08:00-24:00 · 7 Avenue de l'OUA · facebook.com
Grill, Restaurant · Grill restaurant · Pont du Djoué
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: 10:00-23:00 · Avenue Matsoua, Brazzaville
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: 9H00 A 20H30 Features: outdoor seating · Rue Kanda-Kanda, Kinshasa
Pizza, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, delivery
304 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Ndjili International Airport (FIH) 16 km to the centre
Kinshasa, KN, CD — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 13 airlines (Baikotovitchestrian Airlines, Air Canada, Brussels Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines…) · direct flights to 16 destinations incl. Douala, Brazzaville, Brussels, Nairobi, Boende… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 13 airlines, 16 direct destinations
- Baikotovitchestrian Airlines BU (A320, Fokker 100, L4T) · 8 routes: Boende, Kananga, Kindu, Kisangani, Lubumashi, Mbandaka, Mbuji-mayi, Tshikapa
- Air Canada AC (A330-300) · 2 routes: Brussels*, Douala*
- Brussels Airlines SN (A330-300, A330-200) · 2 routes: Brussels, Douala
- Ethiopian Airlines ET (787-8, 737-700) · 2 routes: Brazzaville, Libreville*
- Kenya Airways KQ (737-800, 767-300, 737-700) · 2 routes: Brazzaville, Nairobi
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (737-800, 737) · 2 routes: Brazzaville*, Nairobi*
- Lufthansa Cargo LH (A330-300) · 2 routes: Brussels*, Douala*
- United Airlines UA (A330-300) · 2 routes: Brussels*, Douala*
- Air France AF (A340-300) · 1 route: Paris
- Camair-co QC (737) · 1 route: Douala
- Royal Air Maroc AT (737-800) · 1 route: Brazzaville
- South African Airways SA (A319, A320, 737-800) · 1 route: Johannesburg
- Turkish Airlines TK (737-900) · 1 route: Istanbul
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.
Maya-Maya International Airport (BZV) 10 km to the centre
Brazzaville, 12, CG — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 14 airlines (Varig Log, Pacific East Asia Cargo Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways…) · direct flights to 13 destinations incl. Pointe-noire, Cotonou, Douala, Kinshasa, Libreville… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 14 airlines, 13 direct destinations
- Varig Log LC (737, 757) · 5 routes: Cotonou, Douala, Oyo, Paris, Pointe-noire
- Pacific East Asia Cargo Airlines Q8 (732, 737-300) · 3 routes: Cotonou, Libreville, Pointe-noire
- Ethiopian Airlines ET (787-8, DH8) · 2 routes: Addis Ababa, Douala*
- Kenya Airways KQ (737-800) · 2 routes: Kinshasa, Nairobi
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (737-800, 737) · 2 routes: Kinshasa*, Nairobi*
- Royal Air Maroc AT (737-800) · 2 routes: Casablanca, Pointe-noire
- Rwandair Express WB (737-700) · 2 routes: Douala, Kigali
- Air France AF (A340-300) · 1 route: Paris
- Camair-co QC (737) · 1 route: Kinshasa
- Estafeta Carga Aerea E7 (ERJ) · 1 route: Pointe-noire
- Hapagfly HF (A319) · 1 route: Libreville
- Mauritania Airlines International L6 (737-700) · 1 route: Cotonou
- South African Airways SA (A319, A320) · 1 route: Johannesburg
- TAAG Angola Airlines DT (737-700) · 1 route: Luanda
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.
Ndolo Airport (NLO) 1.8 km to the centre
N'dolo, KN, CD — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Kimpoko Airport 31 km to the centre
Kimpoko, KN, CD
Celo Zongo Airport 69 km to the centre
Celo Zongo, BC, CD
Getting there by ferry
Port fluvial
Ferry terminal · 2.7 km from the centre
Beach Ngobila
Ferry terminal · 2.9 km from the centre
The Beach;Brazzaville-Kinshasa
Ferry terminal · 5.8 km from the centre
Le Beach
Ferry terminal · 6 km from the centre
Kinshasa - Brazzaville
Ferry route
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
October – March
The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.
Shoulder season
April – May, September
Milder and quieter, with better value.
Worth avoiding
June – August
The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Ndolo Airport (NLO); 4 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: FIH has direct flights to 16 destinations on 13 airlines (incl. Douala, Brazzaville, Brussels, Nairobi, Boende…). By water: 4 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Port fluvial, 2.7 km); routes include Kinshasa - Brazzaville.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Kinshasa (Léopoldville), Congo. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
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.