Must-see attractions in Cotonou

  • The Dantokpa Market in Cotonou, Benin, one of the largest open air markets in West Africa. (Photo by: MyLoupe/UIG via Getty Images)

    Grand Marché de Dantokpa

    Cotonou

    The seemingly endless Grand Marché du Dantokpa is Cotonou's throbbing heart, bordered by the lagoon and Blvd St Michel. Everything under the sun can be…

  • COTONOU,  BENIN - CIRCA NOVEMBER 2010  : View of COTONOU CATHEDRAL.; Shutterstock ID 1115889482; full: digital; gl: 65050; netsuite: poi; your: Barbara Di Castro
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    Cathedral de Notre Dame

    Cotonou

    With its vibrant red and white stripes, this Catholic cathedral is not just a place of worship but also home to a small bookshop selling titles by…

  • Fondation Zinsou

    Cotonou

    Named after the family that started it, this fantastic exhibition space seeks to promote contemporary African art among Beninese people through…

  • Fetish Market

    Cotonou

    This market sells anything associated with Vodou, including varieties of tree barks and dried plants (both used in traditional medicine) and stalwarts…

  • Mosque

    Cotonou

    This mosque's two white towers stand out in this city of low-lying structures. It's an interesting place to pause for a few moments for a spot of people…

  • Fidjirossé Beach

    Cotonou

    This pretty stretch of sand is a lovely place to embrace local culture and cool off. It's a favorite spot for Beninese to retreat to with families and is…

  • Eglise St Michel

    Cotonou

    This pastel pink and green Catholic church is a simple affair, but notable for its exterior (it looks a bit like a pink gingerbread house). The interior…