Hostels in BLANTYRE, MALAWI

City of Blantyre: The Commercial Hub of Malawi
 
Blantyre is to Malawi, what New York is to the United States of America. The city surrounded by mountains is considered the commercial capital of Malawi and is the most populated city as well. The southern district of Blantyre has the city of Blantyre as its capital. It is one of the oldest cities in the African continent, even older than its famous cousins, Nairobi and Salisbury (now called Harare) and has witnessed many spurts of modernization, keeping the heritage intact.

Accommodation Options
The city has witnessed large parts of migration from neighbouring cities and even from neighbouring countries, therefore hostels, guesthouses, and lodges are gaining popularity with the industrial folks.  The city houses the college of medicine, the engineering polytechnic apart from the popular university of Malawi hence student hostels and cheap accommodation facilities like the budget hotels and motels have sprung up in the recent years.

History
The city was founded by the European missionaries in the latter part of the eighteenth century. The rapid economic growth started with the colonial ivory trade under the British influence, making it an important trade hub in this part of the world. The city witnessed many changes in trade and commerce during the early part of the nineteenth century.

Popular Places
The mountain series near the city make it a picturesque location amidst the highlands, making it a tourist attraction for settlers as well as travellers. It holds the distinction of having the headquarters of the only television channel in the country broadcasted through the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and the Supreme Court within the city premises. The museum of Malawi in Blantyre gives a preview to the cultural growth of the city and is a very popular attraction here. The busy market area is a huge attraction for people who come from far-off places like Mozambique.

Climate
The city has 2 prominent seasons - the dry season from the month of May till October and the rainy season which starts from November and stretches till April.

Getting Around
The city is well connected through road and railways with other locations owing to its importance as an industrial centre. Private cars, minibuses and taxis used as a form of transport are also quite popular. The Central African Railway Company operates via Blantyre till the border region near Mozambique. The airways provide the best options in international travel to South Africa and other major African countries. Many travel guide and magazines are available for travellers who visit the city to witness its culture and heritage.

Places of Entertainment
The rise of the shopping centres is the main reason that all types of local and other popular foreign foods are gaining popularity. Popular movie theatres are crowded with locals flocking to catch their favourite Hollywood and Indian movies.  As Blantyre is the main commercial city, it is abundant with branded restaurants and game stores. Local bands are popular at food joints every Wednesday and especially on Saturday nights.

Languages Spoken
Nyanja, Tumbuka and English are the most popular languages along with the widely spoken Afrikaans in many places. Immigrant languages like some Indian languages, Greek, Urdu and Portuguese also form a part of the popular verbal communication. 

Currency
The Malawian Kwacha forms the currency here. 100 tambalas make a Malawian Kwacha. News and updates about currency and other details is easily accessible at the airports or banks throughout the industrial city.

Blantyre group accommodation | Cheap hostels & budge hotels