Cotonou
Benin · Littoral · 5 m
Description
Cotonou is Benin's largest city and its economic capital, wedged between the Atlantic and Lake Nokoué on a narrow strip of sand. Dantokpa is the biggest market in West Africa, a sprawl of thousands of stalls along the lagoon selling everything from wax print cloth to the dried animal parts of the fetish section. Motorcycle taxis in yellow shirts, called “zemidjans”, carry most of the traffic. The Fondation Zinsou shows contemporary African art, and the beaches east of the city run unbroken towards Nigeria under a heavy Atlantic surf.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: July – August or November – February
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Dantokpa Market
- Fondation Zinsou contemporary art
- Ganvié stilt village(Day trip)
- Cotonou beaches & Atlantic surf
- Zemidjan motorcycle taxis
- Fetish section of Dantokpa
- Cotonou Cathedral
- Grande Mosquée de Cotonou
- Lake Nokoué waterfront
- Beninese street food & akassa
- Cotonou live music bars
- Wax print cloth workshops
Getting there
- Airports:
- COO