Countries I have visited, but missed out on the capitals

This is a bit of fun: Countries that I have visited, but not their capital cities.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, pictured above in Yamoussoukro, the political capital of Côte d’Ivoire. The port city of Abidjan is the economic capital.

I might have backpacked in 130 countries and territories, or 115 UN Member States, and since a lot of my travels are overland, I don’t automatically bag capital cities by flying in.

I have visited these countries below, but I was never in their capital city at all – not even to change buses, drink a coffee, or transit through the airport (which I’ve done in Maseru, Delhi, Doha and Podgorica, Belmopan and Guatemala City).

If you are curious and want to test yourself, I made a list of the Capitals of the UN Member States.

Austria – Vienna

I have not visited Vienna despite having visited Graz, Salzburg and spent 7 days hiking in the mountains in the west of the country.

Croatia – Zagreb

I missed out on Zagreb in 2011, but I backpacked Split, Rijeka and Dubrovnik.

Guinea – Conakry

The city is a mess. Heading south from Dalaba, when I got to Coyah, I turned southeast towards the border with Sierra Leone.

Out hiking in Guinea, near Dalaba (2013):

Indonesia – Jakarta

Italy – Rome

Shame on me! This is the Naviglio Grande in Milan, 2024:

Kazakhstan – Astana

Astana is the capital of Kazakhstan. It was renamed Nur-Sultan in 2019, but the name was changed back to Astana in 2022.

Seriously regret not making it to Astana. This is the Memorial of Glory in a snowy Almaty in 2015:

Malawi – Lilongwe

When I was backpacking from Cairo to Cape Town, I visited Mzuzu, Nkhata Bay, and took the boat to Likoma Island. Not my favourite country; there are too many NGOs and lazy locals waiting for someone to give them something, so I doubt I will ever go there again.

Mozambique – Maputo

Mozambique is a good country for some budget travel. I explored the north and central areas, so I missed out on the capital. Next time, for sure.

Travels in Mozambique (2016):

Myanmar – ​Nay Pyi Taw

When I visited Burma, Yangon was the capital. I visited Burma in 2003. I don’t have any photos.

Nicaragua – Managua

I went through Nicaragua twice. Avoiding the capital was definitely intended. It’s nuts. This is above Jinotega (2022):

Tanzania – Dodoma

Yes, Surprised? Dar es Salaam is NOT the capital of Tanzania; it’s Dodoma. It was on my plan, but then Covid screwed it all up.

United States – Washington DC

Well, I won’t be going to the USA anytime soon.

Zimbabwe – Harare

I crossed into Zimbabwe at Mutare and then went to Chimanimani, the Great Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls, so I missed out on the capital of Zimbabwe.

Botswana – Gaborone

I only visited the north of the country. Chobe National Park (2023):

Namibia – Windhoek

The only town I visited in Namibia was Katima Mulilo, and I didn’t even blog about it.