Updated Jan 26, 2026
KEY STATS
803K
Population
54 Mbps
Internet
FNA (15km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Freetown is the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone. It is a major port city on the Atlantic Ocean and is located in the Western Area of the country. Freetown is Sierra Leone's major urban, economic, financial, cultural, educational and political centre, as it is the seat of the Government of Sierra Leone. The population of Freetown was 1,3...
QUICK FACTS
Country
Sierra Leone
Region
Western Africa
Population
803K
Currency
SLE
Language
English
Status
Capital City
Airport
FNA
GPS
8.49, -13.24
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Tech
54 Mbps internet — adequate for most digital work
Climate
Year-round average of 26C — near-ideal temperatures
A mid-sized city of 802,639 people
INFRASTRUCTURE
1,270 total POIs
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
80
Cafes
8
Bars
33
Fast Food
33
Shopping
Supermarkets
27
Convenience
88
Shopping Malls
2
Healthcare
Hospitals
33
Clinics
34
Pharmacies
26
Education
Schools
216
Universities
16
Libraries
5
Recreation
Parks
40
Playgrounds
3
Sports
62
Cinemas
12
Museums
3
Theatres
3
Transport
Bus Stops
14
Train Stations
1
Fuel Stations
40
Services
Banks
47
ATMs
17
Post Offices
3
Police
42
Fire Stations
3
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
54 Mbps
Download
23 Mbps
Upload
52ms
Latency
3,062
Tests
1,100
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
Best time to visit: Jan - Dec
28°
J
28°
F
27°
M
26°
A
26°
M
25°
J
25°
J
25°
A
26°
S
26°
O
27°
N
28°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 26.4 C Range: 27.8 - 25 C Rain: 3,558 mm/year Sunshine: 3,084 h/year
CITY SCORES
91.9
Nomad Index
B
Livability
37.5
Culture
56.6
Overall
AIRPORT
FNA
Lungi International Airport
15 km from center
~27 min ride
FUN FACTS
Freetown (Krio: Fritɔun) is the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone.
The city's economy revolves largely around its harbour, which occupies a part of the estuary of the Sierra Leone River in one of the world's largest natural deep water harbours.
Although the city has traditionally been the homeland of the Sierra Leone Creole people, the population of Freetown is ethnically, culturally, and religiously diverse.
The city is home to a significant population of all of Sierra Leone's ethnic groups, with no single ethnic group forming more than 27% of the city's population.
The city of Freetown was founded on March 11, 1792, by 1,196 African Americans under the guidance of abolitionist Lieutenant John Clarkson at the foot of the Cotton Tree, and the city became a settlement for free and freed African American, Afro-Caribbean and Liberated African slaves.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Freetown known for?
Freetown is a city in Sierra Leone. It offers a range of cultural, historical, and natural attractions.
How fast is the internet in Freetown?
Freetown has an average download speed of 54 Mbps and upload speed of 23 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Freetown?
Freetown has an average year-round temperature of approximately 26.4 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Freetown?
Freetown is served by FNA (Lungi International Airport), approximately 15 km from the city center.
What is the population of Freetown?
The population of Freetown is approximately 803K.
What infrastructure does Freetown have?
Freetown has 1,270 mapped points of interest, including 80 restaurants, 33 hospitals, 216 schools.
What country is Freetown in?
Freetown is located in Sierra Leone.