Blantyre
Blantyre is a working city of markets and hills, and a practical base for trips into Malawi's southern highlands.
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Blantyre is the commercial center of Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa. The city sits on a plateau in the south of the country and takes its name from Blantyre in Scotland, where the missionary and explorer David Livingstone was born. Its streets mix older colonial-era buildings with busy markets, shops and offices, so expect markets, offices and errands rather than a resort town.
Blantyre works well as a base for the hills nearby. Mount Soche rises above the city. The Zomba Plateau and the Mulanje Massif lie within reach for day trips or overnight hikes. The cool, dry months from June to September are the best time for walking and driving. Allow one to two days for the city and a day trip, and two or three more nights if you plan to hike Mulanje or visit Zomba.
Blantyre in five
- Carry kwacha in cashMarket sellers and minibus fares are paid in cash, so keep small Malawian kwacha notes for them. Use ATMs in daylight and in busy areas.Money and costs
- Get an Airtel or TNM SIMAirtel and TNM are the two main mobile networks, and both sell prepaid SIMs in shops. Expect to show your passport to register the SIM, or set up an eSIM before you leave.Phones and eSIM
- Check your visa before you flyVisa rules depend on your passport, so check the requirement before you book flights. Carry a yellow fever certificate if your route passes through a country with a risk of yellow fever.Visas and entry
- Arrange a transfer from Chileka airportInternational flights land at Chileka International Airport, outside Blantyre, so book a taxi or your hotel pickup before you arrive. Confirm the pickup time with your hotel the day before.
- Carry a reusable bagPlastic bags are banned in Malawi, so bring a reusable bag for shopping and markets.
Things to do in Blantyre
See all attractions in Blantyre
Need to know
- Currency
- Malawian kwacha (MWK)
- Entry
- Visa needed for some passports; check the rule for yours before you travel
- Emergency
- 997 police; confirm the ambulance and fire numbers at your lodging
- Tipping
- Expected in restaurants; check the bill for a service charge first
- Time
- UTC+2, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRainy season
- FebruaryHot, rains
- MarchRains ending
- AprilRains ending
- MayDry, warming
- JuneCool, dry
- JulyCool, dry
- AugustDry, warm
- SeptemberDry, hot
- OctoberHot, storms
- NovemberRains start
- DecemberRainy season
Right now in Blantyre
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 20°
- Humidity
- 49%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 27%
Blantyre
12:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°18°27%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Wed32°20°46%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 32°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 46%.
- Thu31°20°72%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 72%.
- Fri32°21°14%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sat34°24°4%Saturday: Cloudy. High 34°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun35°24°4%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 35°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 12:14 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,734 MWK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Zombaabout 1 hour by roadA plateau with forest and an old colonial town, cooler than the city.
- Mulanje Mountainabout 1.5 hours by roadHiking on the highest massif in Malawi, with tea estates on the lower slopes.
- Liwonde National Parkabout 3 hours by roadWildlife along the Shire River, best with a booked game drive or boat.
Before you go to Blantyre
Rules for Blantyre, checked
- Visa rules differ by nationality, so check the entry requirement for your passport on the official Malawi immigration information before you book.
- Carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you arrive from or pass through a country with a risk of yellow fever, and check the current rule.
- Plastic bags are banned in Malawi, so bring reusable bags for shopping and check the current law before you travel.
- Ask before you photograph government buildings, military sites and police, since photography of these can be restricted.
Plan around Blantyre
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Malawi trip
Read the guideGetting aroundBuses, minibuses and car hire between Blantyre and other towns
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for a day in Blantyre
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and documents to check by passport
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses across the city
Read the guideBlantyre FAQ
Is Blantyre worth visiting?
Yes as a base for Mulanje Mountain and Zomba Plateau, and as an easy stop on a Malawi route. It has fewer headline sights than Lake Malawi, so pair it with the lake if you can.
How do you get to Blantyre?
Fly into Chileka International Airport, then take a taxi or hotel transfer. Buses and minibuses also run from Lilongwe and other towns, so check current schedules before you travel.
Is Blantyre safe for visitors?
Use taxis arranged by your hotel after dark and keep valuables out of sight in busy markets. Check your government's travel advice before you go.
How many days do you need in Blantyre?
One to two days covers the city and a day trip. Add two or three nights if you plan to hike Mulanje or visit Zomba.
What is the best day trip from Blantyre?
Mulanje Mountain for hiking and tea estates, or Zomba Plateau for a cooler forest drive. A car or driver makes both easier, so ask your hotel to arrange one.