Bissau
The newly renovated presidential palace dominates Praça dos Heróis Nacionais at the northern end of Av Amílcar Cabral. Damaged during the civil war, its…
Must-see attractions in West Africa
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…
Bissau
Three separate monuments to martyrs of the 1959 Pidjiguit Massacre when striking dockworkers were killed by the colonial police force. August 3rd, the day…
Burkina Faso
The village of Koumi, on the Bobo–Orodara road (6km south of Kou), is well-known for its ochre-coloured adobe houses. Villagers run informative guided…
Côte d'Ivoire
One of Côte d'Ivoire's most respected contemporary artists, Amon will greet you with paint-splattered clothing and a warm smile. His canvases start at…
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…
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…
Abidjan
The super lively Marché de Cocody is a labyrinth of stalls that offer every type of souvenir you can possibly imagine, including wooden sculptures and…
Côte d'Ivoire
The area around Man is known for La Cascade, a crashing waterfall 5km from town that hydrates a bamboo forest. You walk a pretty paved path to reach it…
Brazzaville
Brazzaville's modernist city hall has an enviable location just by the Congo River, and anyone who has spent time in France will notice the unmistakable…
Dakar
On the northwest corner of Pl de l'Indépendance stands this grand colonnaded building, erected in 1910. It played a pivotal role for developing trade and…
Senegal
On opposite sides of Place Faidherbe, these two 19th-century buildings were used as soldiers' barracks during the colonial days. The building on the south…
Guinea-Bissau
Not really worth a visit except for its historical value as the birthplace of Guinea-Bissau's independence leader Amílcar Cabral (1924–1973). Might need…
Monrovia
This sprawling, eight-storey semicircular structure is the Liberian president's home and holds the offices of the executive staff and other political…
Ouagadougou
The national museum, almost 4km east of the city centre, has displays of the various masks, ancestral statues and traditional costumes of Burkina Faso's…
Senegal
Overlooking the leafy Place Faidherbe is this classic 19th-century building, once the residence for the French colonial governor.
Musée Communal Sogossira Sanon
Burkina Faso
A small museum that showcases masks, statues and ceremonial dress from all over Burkina Faso. There are full-scale examples of traditional buildings…
Guinea
The small and musty Musée Ethnographique has a few masks and other ethnographic exhibits. Written information is poor but someone will likely show you…
Abidjan
The national museum houses a dusty but interesting collection of traditional art and craftwork, including wooden statues and masks, pottery, ivory and…
Côte d'Ivoire
The town market has food and souvenirs to pick from. You can find fruit and vegetables, meat, smoked fish, nuts and tons of clothing, fabrics and…
Brazzaville
This sprawling and chaotic market in the heart of one of Brazza's busiest residential neighbourhoods is a good place to wander and see locals food…
Dakar
The elegant facade of this train station inspires ideas of romantic train journeys (which are quickly wiped away once you enter the bleak interior).
Dakar
A grand building anchoring the Place de l'Indépendance, la Gouvernance was the seat of power for the French colonial administration of Senegal.
Benin
Manic, chaotic, full of questionable smells, this is your typical fresh produce plus anything market. Excellent for picking up picnic supplies.
Nouakchott
The large Mosquée Marocaine is a precious landmark in this bustling area. Located south of Ave Abdel Nasser, towards the Cinquième Quartier.
Monrovia
This monument is an ode to JJ Roberts, Liberia's first president. The structure is a tall rectangle with a statue of Roberts standing in front
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.
Lomé
The home of the president is an imposing modern structure, worth a few pics and the chance to see the guards dressed in their finest.
Brazzaville
Heavily guarded and best not approached or photographed, this is the residence of Congo's long-term president, Denis Sassou N'Guesso.
Monrovia
While not open to the general public, this Freemason structure is worth strolling past to see its impressive architectural details.
Casamance
One of Ziguinchor's colonial buildings today houses the region's excellent tourism office.
Côte d'Ivoire
Built in 1982, this cathedral boasts no special features but is useful as a landmark when finding your way around town.
Benin
This wonderfully eclectic museum full of Afro-Brazilian artefacts is housed in a beautiful 1870 Afro-Brazilian house.
Brazzaville
Sift through all the tat at Brazzaville's tourist market and you'll find some decent weavings and woodcarvings.
Liberia
This is a pretty picnic and swimming spot, 32km from Gbamga – a solid and relaxing option on a hot day.
Nouakchott
Notable for its blindingly white facade. Visitors aren't permitted inside during prayer times.
Sierra Leone
This 19th-century clock tower sits at the intersection of some of Freetown's busiest streets.
Benin
This cultural museum offers a handful of local artefacts and a good display of African masks.
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Graça
Cabo Verde
A grand early-20th-century church that anchors the east side of Praia's prettiest plaza.
