Must-see attractions in Benin

  • PORTO NOVO, BENIN - JANUARY 01: F Godfrey Nzamujo, Director of the Center of Songhai;Dominican father, inhabitant of Niger of origin. He started 20 years ago the Songhai Center , the center of development of the agriculture in Africa. A real success on January 01, 2010 in Porto Novo, Benin. (Photo by Xavier DESMIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
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    Centre Songhai

    Benin

    The Centre Songhai is a major research, teaching and production centre in sustainable farming. There are one-hour guided tours to visit the plantations…

  • Zinzou Foundation Museum

    Benin

    This museum of contemporary African art, housed in a stunning 1920s Afro-Brazilian villa, displays paintings and sculptures as well as light, video and…

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    Route des Esclaves

    Benin

    The Route of the Slaves includes the slave auction plaza, the Tree of Forgetfulness (where slaves were branded with their owners' symbols and, to make…

  • Elephant crossing path

    Parc National de la Pendjari

    Benin

    This 2750-sq-km national park is one of West Africa's best for wildlife. Visitors may spot lions, leopards, elephants, baboons and hippos. The best…

  • Musée Historique d'Abomey

    Benin

    Abomey's main and seriously impressive attraction (and a World Heritage site since 1985), this sprawling museum is housed in two palaces, those of the…

  • Musée d'Histoire de Ouidah

    Benin

    Ouidah's main site is its Musée d'Histoire de Ouidah, housed in the beautiful Fortaleza São João Batista, a Portuguese fort built in 1721. It retraces the…

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    Ganvie Stilt Village

    Benin

    This stilt village, located in the lagoon of Lake Nokoue, was created for the Tofinu people to stay safe from slave hunters. It has become part of their…

  • Ouidah, Benin - 30/12/2019. Entrance to the Temple of Pythons.; Shutterstock ID 1644523357; full: 65050; gl: Online editorial; netsuite: POI updates; your: Ann Douglas Lott
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    Python Temple

    Benin

    Those interested in Vodou could visit the python temple, home to some 60 sleepy snakes. The guide explains some of the beliefs and ceremonies associated…

  • Musée Honmé

    Benin

    This museum is housed in the walled palace of King Toffa, who signed the first treaty with the French in 1863. It focuses on the alounloun musical…

  • Musée Régional de Natitingou

    Benin

    Housed in a colonial building built by slaves at the beginning of the 20th century, this museum gives an overview of life in Somba communities. The…

  • Kota Falls

    Benin

    Fancy a refreshing dip? Consider heading to the Kota Falls, 15km southeast of Natitingou, off the main highway. You can hike around in the hills, swim in…

  • Musée Ethnographique de Porto Novo

    Benin

    Housed in a pretty colonial building, this museum is well worth a gander. The top floor is organised thematically around birth, life and death, with…

  • Villa Karo

    Benin

    On the main road through the village, Villa Karo is a small gallery with great exhibitions focusing on local art.

  • Grand Marché

    Benin

    Manic, chaotic, full of questionable smells, this is your typical fresh produce plus anything market. Excellent for picking up picnic supplies.

  • Tanougou Falls

    Benin

    On the park's periphery, some 11km before Batia in Tanougou, you can take a dip in the lovely natural pools at the bottom of these falls.

  • Musée da Silva

    Benin

    This wonderfully eclectic museum full of Afro-Brazilian artefacts is housed in a beautiful 1870 Afro-Brazilian house.

  • Musée d'Adjara

    Benin

    This cultural museum offers a handful of local artefacts and a good display of African masks.

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