The coastal city of Bata is the sprawling, lively capital of Equatorial Guinea's mainland region of Rio Muni. It used to be Equatorial Guinea's capital, before it was moved to Malabo. It has wide, clean streets and it's the largest city in Equatorial Guinea. There are busy markets and there is a wide variety of both accommodation and restaurants.

The city still has a colonial charm, but that is vanishing as the area developes. Most people come to Bata to use it as a base for trips to interesting small villages in the area. Islands not far from the mainland can also be visited from Bata.

Bata's main attractions are its beaches, which are said to be the most beautiful in the world. The cathedral of Bata is well worth a visit.

Bata is about 240 km southeast from Malabo, across the Gulf of Guinea. The cities are connected by air services and ferry-links.