Things to do in Bobo Dioulasso
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Grande Mosquée
The Grande Mosquée, built in 1893, is an outstanding example of Sahel-style mud architecture, with conical towers and wooden struts (which both support the structure and act as scaffolding during replastering). Although entry is forbidden for non-Muslims, it's the exterior that is so captivating, especially at sunset when the façade turns golden and the faithful pass by on their way home or to the neighbouring well, often pausing for prayer in the mosque en route.
A powerful sense of community life revolves around the mosque. The quiet and shady grounds in the immediate vicinity are interspersed with shelters and prayer mats for worshippers, and add to the charm of one …
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Grand Marché
Bobo-Dioulasso's centrepiece, the expansive Grand Marché, is hugely enjoyable and atmospheric, and a wonderful (and largely hassle-free) place to experience a typical African city market.
Occupying the inner circle are the fruit and vegetable stalls, watched over by colourfully clad women and surrounded by the overwhelming odours of the fish and meat sections. From here to the market's outer rim, impossibly narrow and labyrinthine lanes and makeshift stalls stock household wares and an excellent selection of African cotton prints - as well as reasonably priced tailors who can make clothing from them in a flash. There's a small choice of masks, drums and objects in bronze…
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Musée Provincial du Houët
This small but interesting museum showcases masks, statues and ceremonial dress from all over Burkina Faso. In the grounds are three traditional houses, each furnished in the style of its inhabitants: a Bobo house in red banco (mud-brick); a Fulani hut of branches and woven straw; and a small Senoufo (a Voltaic people who settled in northern Côte d'Ivoire and southern Burkina Faso 400 years ago) compound.
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Restaurant l'Entente
This simple restaurant has a wide-ranging menu of African and European staples, but it's a rare day that all menu items are available. Waiters are laid-back and friendly, but the best thing about this place are the street-facing tables on the veranda - a wonderfully chilled place to watch the streetlife of Bobo passing by. It's also one of the few restaurants to do breakfast.
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Musée de la Musique
This is small but recommended for those with an emerging passion for African music, as well as those keen to learn the difference between a balafon and djembe. Most of the instruments on display (labels in French only) come from western Burkina Faso (especially from Lobi country). There's a small shop selling CDs of local traditional music which you won't find elsewhere.
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AGTB
A private association of 20 guides, offering tours around Bobo (including to the workshop for people with a disability with whom the association works) and further afield. Although a guide is not really necessary for exploring Bobo, you'll benefit from having one if you're planning on venturing further afield in the southwest of the country.
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Restaurant Dan Kan
With agreeable outdoor (but covered) tables, very reasonable prices and a varied menu, Restaurant Dan Kan is an excellent deal. It's kept spotlessly clean and service is attentive. If you just eat riz sauce or couscous and drink tamarind juice, you'll be well-fed. Highly recommended.
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La Sorbetière
This fine pâtisserie may lure you in with promises of ice cream, but there's rarely any available. There is, however, a spick-and-span dining room where they serve up excellent pastries (the croissants are good for breakfast) or reasonable sandwiches, pizza slices and hamburgers.
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L'Eau Vive
The sister venue to the restaurant of the same name in Ouagadougou, and also run by nuns, L'Eau Vive offers imaginative French cooking and a varied menu. Main dishes all come with potatoes or vegetables and the dining area offers a star-filled canopy of the night sky.
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Bar-Restaurant Les Bambou
Definitely the most enjoyable of the outdoor bars in central Bobo, Les Bambou is a terrific outdoor venue with a lovely garden area and traditional live music (especially traditional djembé music) from around 20:00 from Wednesday to Saturday.
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Ciné Sanyon
The modern Ciné Sanyon is an excellent cinema (with air-con) that shows good films, including runs and reruns of Burkinabé productions which have won international acclaim, as well as dated Hollywood blockbusters and Jackie Chan flicks.
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Le Makoumba Plus
Although most of Bobo's garden bars turn into dance venues late on Friday and Saturday nights, Le Makoumba Plus, near the market, is a dedicated nightclub that pumps out loud music most nights of the week, and really gets going by the weekend.
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Tour Guide - Abdoul Karim Kone
Speaks passable English. Although a guide is not really necessary for exploring Bobo, you'll benefit from having one if you're planning on venturing further afield in the southwest of the country.
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Leroux Sport
While this place is OK for food, you really come here for the European-style outdoor terrace (Bobo's answer to café culture) and the real espresso coffee.
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Boulangerie Pâtisserie la Bonne Miche
A little bit cheaper but less spick-and-span than others, this pâtisserie two blocks southeast of the market has excellent bread and a range of pastries.
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Librairie Diacfa
Not as well-stocked as its Ouagadougou counterpart, but it has a small selection of newspapers, postcards, books and stationery.
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421 Nightclub
You could try 421 Nightclub, at the hotel of the same name, although the atmosphere can be a bit hit-or-miss.
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Marina Market
Ideal for stocking up for long bus or train rides, Marina Market has a good range of grocery items.
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Bobo Art
One small shop that stands out for its variety of masks, statues and light sales-pitch is Bobo Art.
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Restaurant Yankadi
For a quick and cheap meal (mostly rice staples with sauce), try Restaurant Yankadi.
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Tour Guide - Mamadou Cisse
Can be found at Bobo Art, opposite the Hôtel Watinoma; speaks a little English.
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Tropic Voyages Excursions
For tours around Burkina Faso, especially to Gaoua and the southwest.
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