Must see attractions in Timor-Leste

  • C

    Top Choice

    Centro Nacional Chega!

    Set in the buildings and cells of a Portuguese-era prison where resistance figures were interned by the Indonesian military, Chega! (chega means 'stop' or…

  • P

    Top Choice

    Projeto Montanha

    This Brazilian-founded social enterprise is a heartwarming place to visit. Kids and young adults from the surrounding area come here to be taught…

  • R

    Top Choice

    Resistência Timorense Arquivo e Museu

    An excellent museum which commemorates in detail Timor-Leste's 24-year struggle against Indonesian occupation. Falintil’s resistance is brought to life…

  • B

    Balibó Flag House

    Balibó Flag House is where the five journalists reporting on Indonesian's invasion of East Timor stayed before they were killed by Indonesian Special…

  • R

    Rock Art Caves

    There are fine examples of rock art in the cliffs and caves heading down towards Valu (beach), with depictions including cock fighting, sea urchins and…

  • Santa Cruz Cemetery

    On 12 November 1991 Indonesian soldiers fired on a peaceful memorial procession for Sebastião Gomes heading from Motael Church to Santa Cruz Cemetery;…

  • Dili Waterfront

    Watch kids kicking soccer balls around on the patches of sandy beach and runners sweating it out while you're strolling the decent walking path that runs…

  • Cristo Rei

    The hard-to-miss Cristo Rei, 7km east of town, has 570 steps leading to the statue of Jesus, a gift from the Indonesian government in 1996. It's a popular…

  • B

    Be Manis

    Once a former Portuguese mountain resort, these hot springs (be manis in Tetun) have been renovated into a fairly large complex, with pools of varying…

  • A

    Areia Branca

    This lovely cove 5.5km east of central Dili is picturesque, with its white sand backed by steep hills and good places to eat and sleep. At the end of the…

  • P

    Ponte Noefefan

    This new, photogenic three-arched bridge spans Tono River and links the rest of Oecusse to those in the 'city' (which is actually not many people).

  • W

    Wild Timor Coffee

    A handful of coffee cooperatives operate in Timor-Leste; this one was set up by Australian soldiers who served post-1999. Wild Timor Coffee has a cafe in…

  • D

    Dare Memorial Museum

    There are two great things about Dare (pronounced da-ray) Memorial Museum, but you'll have to ask for them. First, ask for a cup of Timorese coffee, then…

  • I

    Igreja de Santo António de Motael

    This waterfront Catholic church, fronted by a pretty garden, was one of the most important places in the story of the fight for Timorese independence…

  • S

    Santa Cruz Massacre Memorial Monument

    This sizeable monument opposite Motael Church marks where independence supporter Sebastião Gomes was shot by Indonesian forces on 28 October 1991. Built…

  • M

    Mud Geysers

    Watch volcanic mud and steam bubbling up from this weird grey landscape. The spot is five minutes from Oesilo, which is around a 1½-hour drive south of…

  • P

    Palácio do Governo

    The grand, white Palácio do Governo dominates the town centre. The grounds here occasionally play host to events, but they're usually just a fancy car…

  • F

    Farol

    This photogenic lighthouse beams northwest of Dili's seaport.

  • X

    Xanana Gusmão Reading Room

    This complex houses memorabilia of Timor-Leste's first president, Xanana Gusmão, including the former presidential car (he opted for a cheap one at the…