Gabú- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Gabú is the largest city in eastern Guinea-Bissau and serves as the capital of the Gabú region. Founded as Kansala, it was once the capital of the Kaabu Empire until its destruction in 1867. The Portuguese later renamed it Nova Lamego, before it was changed to Gabú after independence. Historically, Gabú was a key center of trade and culture, with strong connections to the Mali Empire. The city is known for its market, the second largest in Guinea-Bissau, where coal, ceramics, and agricultural products are traded, attracting merchants from neighboring countries like Guinea, Senegal, Mali, and Sierra Leone.