🏞️ Hidden Treasures: 7 Underrated Towns to Visit in Liberia in 2025
Liberia’s beauty goes beyond Monrovia’s busy streets and city lights. From mountain towns and forest trails to ocean-view hideaways, the country offers a travel experience steeped in authenticity.
If your 2025 plans include discovering the real Liberia, here are seven underrated destinations — each with a story, a soul, and a reason to visit.
🏖️ 1️⃣ Buchanan – The Coastal Calm of Grand Bassa
📍 Distance from Monrovia: ~105 km (2.5 hours by car)
Once a thriving port city, Buchanan remains a seaside gem. Its long sandy beaches, welcoming people, and fresh seafood define its charm. The rhythm of the waves meets the sound of laughter as fishermen pull in their morning catch and children play along the coast.
Visitors can stroll down Buchanan’s beach road, visit the port for a glimpse of Liberia’s maritime life, and end the day with grilled snapper and coconut rice at a local restaurant.
➡️ Stay at: Ma. Sarah Guest House or Bassa Lodge
➡️ Must-Do: Walk the beach at sunset — locals say it’s the calmest spot in Grand Bassa.
🌳 2️⃣ Gbarnga – The Heart of Central Liberia
📍 Distance from Monrovia: ~180 km (4 hours by car)
Nicknamed the “Gateway to the Interior,” Gbarnga in Bong County blends history, education, and countryside charm. Its bustling marketplace offers everything from lappa fabric to local honey.
The town is also home to Cuttington University, Liberia’s oldest private university, surrounded by lush hills and quiet gardens. Gbarnga’s hospitality is unmatched — travelers often stop here en route to Nimba or Lofa.
➡️ Must-Do: Visit the Kpatawee Waterfall, about 20 minutes outside town — a tranquil eco-spot perfect for photos and picnics.
🌊 3️⃣ Robertsport – The Surfer’s Paradise of Grand Cape Mount
📍 Distance from Monrovia: ~115 km (3 hours by car)
Tucked along Liberia’s northwestern coast, Robertsport is a sleepy fishing town that has become West Africa’s surf capital. With golden beaches, steady waves, and eco-friendly lodges, it’s ideal for both beginners and professionals.
The town’s serene beauty and friendly locals make it a haven for peace seekers. Whether you’re watching the sunrise at Fisherman’s Point or sharing grilled barracuda with surfers at Nana’s Lodge, Robertsport feels timeless.
➡️ Stay at: Kwepunha Retreat or Nana’s Lodge
➡️ Fun Fact: Named after Liberia’s first president, Joseph Jenkins Roberts.
🌅 4️⃣ Harper – The Southern Beauty of Maryland County
📍 Distance from Monrovia: ~630 km (10–12 hours by road, or 1 hour by flight)**
Few towns in West Africa combine architecture and coastline quite like Harper. Once the capital of Maryland County and Liberia’s southernmost city, Harper features colonial-era buildings overlooking the Atlantic.
The iconic Cape Palmas Lighthouse, built in 1903, offers panoramic views of the sea. Harper is also known for its laid-back lifestyle — you’ll find fishermen repairing nets, students cycling past old churches, and waves crashing softly beneath palm trees.
➡️ Must-See: The Maryland County Courthouse and the beach road near the lighthouse.
🏔️ 5️⃣ Sanniquellie – Where African Unity Was Born
📍 Distance from Monrovia: ~370 km (7–8 hours by car)
In Nimba County, the quiet town of Sanniquellie carries global historical weight. It was here in 1959 that leaders from Ghana, Guinea, and Liberia signed the Sanniquellie Declaration, which led to the formation of the Organization of African Unity (now African Union).
Beyond politics, Sanniquellie is known for its green hills, cool weather, and friendly community. The town’s relaxed pace makes it a beautiful stop for anyone exploring Nimba.
➡️ Must-Do: Visit the historic OAU meeting hall and enjoy local cocoa from nearby farms.
🌿 6️⃣ Zwedru – Nature’s Hidden Haven in Grand Gedeh
📍 Distance from Monrovia: ~490 km (9 hours by car)
Surrounded by lush forest, Zwedru offers an entirely different experience — one that connects travelers to Liberia’s natural roots. The town is a gateway to some of the country’s most biodiverse areas, with opportunities for forest walks and birdwatching.
Zwedru’s name comes from Zoe Dru, a legendary Grebo spiritual leader. Its people are deeply connected to traditional crafts, storytelling, and music.
➡️ Must-See: The Ziah Town forest corridor — home to rare bird species and Liberia’s famous pygmy hippo.
🏙️ 7️⃣ Ganta – The Border Hub of Opportunity
📍 Distance from Monrovia: ~265 km (5–6 hours by car)
Bustling and bright, Ganta is Liberia’s fastest-growing trade town and a vibrant blend of culture and commerce. Located near the Guinea border, Ganta buzzes day and night with motorbikes, traders, and street food stalls.
Visitors will find friendly guesthouses, busy markets, and the famous Ganta Methodist Hospital, one of Liberia’s oldest medical centers. Despite its energy, the city still offers cozy corners and warm hospitality.
➡️ Must-Do: Visit the Ganta market and try roasted meat skewers with spicy pepper sauce.
🌍 Liberia’s Hidden Towns, United in Beauty
Each of these towns captures a unique side of Liberia — the peace of Buchanan, the energy of Ganta, the spirituality of Zwedru, and the ocean’s pull in Robertsport and Harper. Together, they form a map of national pride, showing that Liberia’s greatest treasures are not hidden — they’re simply waiting to be explored.
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