In the last couple of months before I left Timor-Leste in February 2025, I set myself the challenge of walking around every neighbourhood in the capital Dili. This was a wonderful way to explore the city, and get some exercise during the wet season. This post covers walks in the eastern parts of Dili, out to Becora.

One of the most scenic walks I did was along the waterfront from Cristo Rei to the fruit markets. There is some beautiful coastal scenery and beaches, and it was a very still morning.

Along the way are these fun statues at the entrances to a number of the beaches.

Cristo Rei is home to the flashiest playground I’ve seen in the country, and rare public toilets, though there was no water in them…

These caught my eye…

Along with four religious sites – Chapel of Metiaut, Gruta Bidau Sant’Ana, Capelinha de Santa Ana e São Joaquim, and Gruta Metiaut (photograph from another day).

Another time I caught a microlet from home in Vila Verde out to Bidau, finding this WW2 era Japanese pillbox in someone’s front yard.

There are never a shortage of churches in Timor-Leste, and this walk went past half a dozen of them, including St. Sebastian Church, Capela Maria Auxiliadora Bidau, and Capela Sagrada Familia Cricenfor.

Jardin 2006 is an interesting urban park area with bridges with seating installed over an open storm water channel, definitely better in the dry than wet season.

Gruta Maria Vila Verde is a local shrine which I’d passed by on microlets and motorbike for many months before I discovered it on foot.

There was some great street art on this walk.

More varied sights on another walk out east from Vila Verde.

And from another heading out east, including Convento das Madres Canossianas.

A 12km walk from Lecidere to Bidau Massau and back was rich in sights, including many attractive churches and shrines, starting with Capela Nossa Senhora do Rosario.

Moving onto Capela de Bidau Toko Baru.

Capela Nossa Senhora Imaculada da Conceicao de Maria.

Gruta Nossa Senhora de Fatima.

And Gruta Nossa Senhora Peregrina.

There was a fair amount of street art.

The usual abandoned yellow taxis.

An attractive Uma Lulik opposite Escola Basica Filial E.B.F. Camea Rai Hun, up a quiet valley, passed the sizeable Semiteriu Bidau Massau, and this nativity scene.

A fair amount of the walk was along these dry river beds (even in the middle of the wet season).

Another walk took me around the Taibesi area, exploring the substantial Chinese Cemetery, where the grandest tombs seemed to be up the hillside.

I came across a Monument to Portuguese Victims of the Occupation of Timor-Leste by the Japanese during WW2.

Few other things that caught my eye on the walk.

To finish with one of my last walks, at the far east of Dili, in bustling Becora.

From the Becora Bus Terminal buses head out east in the early hours to Manatuto, Baucau, and Lautém.

Paroquia Sta. Teresinha do Menino Jesus was a reasonably attractive church.

The nearby Cave of St. Anthony was interesting to visit.

The sizeable Bedois Cemetery was particularly colourful.

On my return I passed only the second tannery I’ve come across in Timor-Leste.

My last morning walk was fittingly around Cristo Rei, where I did my first walk in Timor-Leste when I arrived a year before.

The views back toward town were particularly nice.