Aileu

Why visit?

One of the smallest municipalities in terms of population (54,000 people) and one of two landlocked municipalities (along with Ermera), Aileu neighbours Dili and is home to some spectacular scenery. From Dili the road winds up into the hills (through a waterfall!) with varied landscapes, filled with coffee plantations. There are a number of historic and religious memorials and local markets in Alieu town on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In 1999 Aileu was briefly considered as a potential capital for Timor-Leste before Dili was confirmed to remain as the capital.

Top three experiences

Practically drive through Berloi waterfall
Exploring the lily filled lake and rice fields of Seloi Craic
Visiting Projeto Montanha for lunch or dinner (call ahead)

Top places to stay

Tecilirio’s Guest House, Aileu (+670 7676 9976)
Posada Txiriboga, Aileu (+670 77668192)
Mukit Guest House, Aileu (+670 7625 8743)
Qx Guest House, Mantane (+670 7751 1217)

Top places to eat and drink

Projeto Montanha, Aileu (+670 7725 2527)
Aileu Coffee Shop, Aileu (+670 7702 8965)
Qx Restaurant, Mantane (+670 7751 1217)

Sights

Berloi waterfall – You can’t miss this waterfall as the road basically goes through it! It is part of a minor tributary of the huge Comoro River system, one of the largest in Timor-Leste, which drains from Aileu, Dili, Ermera, and Liquiçá municipalities. It is a 35 minutes drive south from Dili toward Aileu if you travel via the Comoro route (rather than the Dare route).

Projeto Quinta Portugal – The Quinta Portugal project (+670 7755 0354) started in 2016 as an off-shoot of a Portuguese co-operative agroforestry centre that was established in 2001. It aims to contribute to improved food security in Timor-Leste through diversification of agroforestry production, which has included growing over 450,000 trees of a variety of species to plant elsewhere in Timor-Leste. Tours are possible to see their coffee farming and explore the plantations.

Tiga Pilar Monument – The three column red and white Monument Pembangunan is a local landmark on the main road from Dili to Aileu town.

Dili Vanilli – Growers, buyers and sellers of 100% organic coffee, vanilla, tea, and spices including turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and cloves, established in 2018. There is a shop on site (+670 7527 4182) and tours are possible. The owners also run the Posada Txiriboga Aileu, and offer a farm stay.

Rotunda Aileu – As you enter central Aileu you are greeted by a figure on top of a roundabout, representing the Timorese breaking free of the chains of colonisation.

Jardim de Baumeta – Just beyond Rotunda Aileu is a large formal park, home to various symbolic structures, and a playground in the only shady spot. It took a year to build, from mid-2023 to mid-2024, and cost $300,000.

Aileu Markets – On Saturdays large regional markets are held just down from Jardim de Baumeta. This is also where local bus depart from to Dili, Maubisse, and other destinations.

Aileu Massacre Monument – On 31 August 1942 Aileu was invaded by Colunas Negras, the Timorese allies of the Japanese invaders. Five Portuguese soldiers, and a number of civil servants and missionaries, were killed. A sizeable memorial on the main road through town commemorates the massacre. Opposite the monument is an attractive building from Portuguese times, and a pair of statues representing mane (men) and feto (women) in local traditional clothing.

Nicolau Lobato Monument – To the east of Aileu town is a large memorial to the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of East Timor. His time in office (and life) was cut tragically short by the actions of the Indonesian government. The memorial was inaugurated in 2014 and also honours 32 Timorese who helped hide resistance leaders during the Indonesian occupation, and 137 veterans. Nicolau Lobato is also commemorated by Dili’s airport and the Presidential Palace being named after him, and there is a large statue of him in the middle of the roundabout outside Dili’s airport.

Statue of Saint Pedro and Saint Paul – The patron saints of Aileu town are represented by a statue on the hillside behind the Church of São Pedro & São Paulo, which as of 2024 was being completely rebuilt.

Projeto Montanha – An impressive local NGO that runs a restaurant, guesthouse, handicraft centre, music studio, wood work, and even dentistry. It has a Brazilian influence and trains local youth in art and culinary service. It is best to call ahead (+670 7725 2527) to ensure that they are open, and to order your food in advance, otherwise expect to wait a while.

Qx Restaurant and Guest House Eco-Tourism – A recently developed eco-tourism business that can offer cultural tales of local legends, visits to swallow nests, camping, and a variety of activities such as hiking, fishing, and wild animal encounters. Contact them at +670 7554 6388 or +670 7751 1217.

Seloi Craic – Home to the water lily filled Seloi Lagoon and atmospheric rice fields, this is a lovely place to visit. Local tour operators Juventude Turizmu Agro-ekolojiku Talifurleu (+670 7566 6742) can organise eco-lodge accommodation, camping, hiking, and cooking experiences.

Lahae – Between Aileu and Maubisse are the photogenic rice fields of Lahae.

Hiking

There are a number of short walks around Aileu town captured on this Google Map, ranging from 3km to 8km. The epic Timor-Leste Coast2Coast hike traverses the whole municipality and is a great way to see the scenery and explore small villages away from the main road.

Getting there

There is a good, if winding, sealed road from Dili through Aileu. Local buses leave from the Taibessi bus station in Dili for the 1.5-2 hour drive to Aileu, and then onto Maubisse. The views from the road (particularly heading back to Dili) are quite incredible, as you realise quite how far above Dili you have travelled. In a few places there are also good views of Mt Ramelau in the distance.

Getting around

There is pretty much only one main road that goes through Aileu, which local buses travel along on their way to Ainaro.