In 2022, Benin was Already on my radar like a country I couldn’t wait to (re)visit. I wanted to show my daughter Cotonou, show her different regions of Benin, and expose her to this culture which is part of my heritage.
Well, it’s done! We had a chance to travel to Benin with family last year! Today, I finally share with you my experience of this unforgettable trip and give you awesome ideas of places to visit in Cotonou, with family.
Let’s go, direction Cotonou!
Visit Cotonou’s Famous Amazon and Other Monuments
If you have heard of Cotonou, you have surely also heard of the Amazon statue. A bronze giant 30 meters high, weighing 150 tons, the Amazon was inaugurated in 2021 by President Francis Talon.
The statue was dedicated to Beninese women in tribute to their bravery and courage.
Located about ten minutes from the airport, this monument is a place not to be missed. Instead of simply driving past the Amazon Square, take a few moments to stop there, admire the grandeur of the monument, and feel tiny.
Although the Amazon is the most famous monument in recent years, do not neglect the other monuments in Cotonou either.
The city has a communist past and it’s evident when visiting it. You can admire the Red Star monument, located at one of the largest crossroads in the city, in the Gbegamey district. The star is a Marxist-Leninist symbol, a relic of the revolutionary regime of former President Kerekou.
Other places to visit in Cotonou:
- Lenin Square was built in the 1970s, in the Akpakpa district. another symbol of Benin’s communist past.
- Martyrs’ Squares, erected in honor of the seven Beninese who died during an attack by the regime of President Kerekou
- The Bio Guera monument, was inaugurated in July 2022, in honor of the prince and national hero Bio Guera.
Admire the Cotonou Heritage Wall
Cotonou has one of the largest graffiti walls in the world (definitely in Africa), which extends over 940 meters, with the ambition of reaching 1.3 Km.
Not far from the Place de l’Amazone, you can admire this Heritage Wall which tells the history of Benin, through the art of more than twenty artists from 13 different countries.
By observing the details of the wall, you can see the significant characters and symbols of Benin such as King Behanzin, the artist Angélique Kidjo, and even the Amazons.
The wall is free to visit
Spend a Day at the Beach in Cotonou
The beach of Cotonou is located in the city. So why not spend a quiet day at the beach?
One of the most popular beaches in the city is Fidjrosse Beach.
You can also go to Obama Beach for a quieter (and kid-friendly?) beach or to Yerevan Beach if you want to explore an abandoned plane on the beach.
You will find plenty of maquis and bars at all its beaches for all budgets.
It is not recommended to swim in the ocean due to the strong current.
Just like the beaches in Lomé, the maquis of the beaches of Cotonou fill with crowds on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Visit Porto Novo
Porto-Novo, which is the official capital of Benin, is located approximately 40km (16 miles) from Cotonou.
You can admire the great mosque of Porto-Novo with its unique Afro-Brazilian architecture.
You can also visit different museums:
- The Honmè Museum, the former royal palace.
- The da Silva Museum, is set in a house built in 1880, that belonged at the time to a rich Brazilian family.
- The Alexandre Ethnographic MuseumBy Seyna where you can discover masks typical of the region, sacred musical instruments, and other unique objects.
A place not to miss in Cotonou: Dantokpa Market
Just like the large market of Lomé, the Dantokpa market is one of the largest in West Africa. According to some sources, it covers more than 20 hectares!
Visiting this huge market can take you several days, depending on your goal (wandering or shopping?). You can find everything there, both wholesale and retail merchandise!
The Beninese government plans to close this century-old iconic market. So if you have the opportunity to be in Cotonou, don’t hesitate to take a trip there.
Check out Abomey and Bohicon
Abomey and Bohicon, two towns in central Benin, are among the largest cities in Benin. They are located a little less than 3 hours by car from Cotonou.
On the way from Cotonou, don’t hesitate to stop in the town of Allada to discover the fascinating story of Toussaint Louverture. Born a slave in the 18th century, Louverture is the descendant of a king of the region. He played a historic role in the liberation and independence of Haiti.
Traveling to Abomey is also an opportunity to visit the famous Abomey museum, discover the history of the kings of the Abomey kingdom with a guided tour, and do local shopping with the artisans who are descendants of the king’s artisans.
As you drive through Abomey, you will also have the opportunity to see the smaller royal courts dotted around the city.
Insider tip:
- Where to eat in Bohicon? You will find plenty of maquis and restaurants in the city. My favorite is a small local restaurant, located at the crossroads of the Saint François d’Assise church in Bohicon. You can enjoy a delicious ablo (small pancake, made from rice or corn flour, steamed), with spicy sauce and small fried fish.
- Where to sleep? I recommend the Hôtel des Princes in Bohicon, a nice little hotel with all the necessary accommodations (air-conditioned room, TV, swimming pool, wifi). The braised rabbit from the hotel restaurant is delicious! On the other hand, avoid fruit juices if you have a sensitive stomach (mineral water and soft drinks are recommended).
Cotonou Hotels: Where to stay?
There are choices for all budgets and all tastes in terms of hotels in Cotonou.
I tested three.
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The Novotel Cotonou Orisha
This hotel is a few minutes away from the airport and therefore also from the Amazon statue and the Cotonou mural. Plus, it has a great buffet for breakfast and lunch.
You can expect all the usual accommodations of a hotel chain. The pool is perfect for doing laps but not ideal for children who don’t know how to swim. They also have a small pool but it is really for little ones.
- The only negative: a little expensive. For example, in November the room was around 110,000 FCFA per night.
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L’Ibis Cotonou
The ibis Cotonou is located right next to the Novotel (same Accor group). So you’re also close to the airport. It is a much more affordable hotel in terms of price.
However, no lunch or dinner. To eat, you will either have to walk (5 minutes) to go to the Novotel; or order in your room (the hotel shares the restaurant and swimming pool with the Novotel). For around 6000 FCFA, you have access to a breakfast buffet.
The rooms and beds are smaller than those at the Novotel. But, if you want to save your accommodation budget, this hotel is a good option (~50,000/per night).
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Benin Royal Hotel Cotonou
Price-wise, this hotel is between the two previous ones (~85,000 FCFA/night). The rooms were nice, and the service was perfect (most of the staff were bilingual in English-French).
The hotel also has a buffet option for meals and it was delicious. It’s located in the heart of Cotonou, not far from the craft center and the Zinsou Foundation.
I loved the rooftop swimming pool which gives an incredible view of the city of Cotonou.
Where to Go for Delicious Food in Cotonou?
Again, the choices of restaurants in Cotonou are unlimited. Whether you’re looking for Beninese, African, European, or Asian specialties, you will find an option to suit your taste and your budget!
I liked the restaurant at Lady Adjigo. The owner makes you feel at home in a restaurant divided into different lounges. Located on rue Bar Tito, not far from the CDPA Saint Michel agency, this restaurant offers you a discreet and warm setting.
You can taste Beninese, African, and European specialties there. The sauce feuille (leafy sauce) with akassa (a typically Beninese recipe consisting of a dough made from fermented cornmeal) was finger-licking good.
If you’re more of a meat and grilled person, try the royal lamb, you won’t be disappointed.
There you go, friends! I hope that this article has given a few ideas of places to visit in Cotonou and good addresses to test for your next trip to Benin!
Have you visited Cotonou? What did you think? Tell me everything by email at backtotheotherland@gmail.com or on Instagram @backtotheotherland.
See you soon!!
